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Discover weekly, the best short stories

Looking for a steady supply of romance short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

11810+ Romance Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. From the thrill of a first date to a snapshot tour through an entire relationship, our collection of romantic short stories will give you everything your heart desires.

Romance Short Stories – Page 79 of 788

Fireplace

Submitted to Contest #264

              Remnants of the sunset warped through the window, scattering amber across the worn planks of the farmhouse. Rose sat atop a wobbly stool, one hand clutching Paul’s, the other stroking his thin wisps of white hair. She had spent her life by his side, and that certainly wasn’t going to change here at the end. Dr. Anders closed his bag, careful not to disturb the elderly couple. He looked at them for a moment as Paul gazed at Rose, his eyes strained. A labored s...

9 likes 2 comments 2
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To My Heart's Call

Submitted to Contest #264

Author's Note: This story borrows lyrics from the 1968 Glen Campbell song "Wichita Lineman". I don't own rights to this song or its lyrics (That would be Jimmy Webb who does. He's brilliant.).**“Glenn, you may now say your vows to Lucy.”Lucy, my light….Oh gosh! I’m so nervous, I’m shaking like an overhead cable in the breeze. Sorry about that. Yes, my love, for all the brawn I use to climb up those thirty-five foot poles, for all the steel I inject into my nerves as I dangle on the flimsiest of wires above long and winding stretches of aspha...

54 likes 60 comments 60
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Hybrids: A Love Story

Submitted to Contest #264

Hybrids: A Love StoryDawn was breaking through the front window when the restless critters decided that it was time for their Daddy to get up. He had slept later than intended but no matter. It was Christmas day. He leaned over Wu, still sleeping, and kissed her forehead. “Outside,” he said low. The animals rushed to the door climbing over each other to get out. Jimmy paused with the back door half open, waiting for Tippycat coming down the stairs. “Merry Christmas Spunky. Merry Christmas WuWu.”        ...

6 likes 3 comments 3
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Side by Side

Submitted to Contest #264

"Wearing white to a wedding. That's scandalous."I stood behind the bride as she trembled through her written vows to her husband-to-be. The silk gown rippled over my skin like the surface of the beach behind us as I stood there, shoes planted on her long train she ignored. Of course I had to go for the veil too. The lace edges were immaculately crafted and far too ornate to leave gathering dust in a cupboard. All eyes were on me. I revelled in the attention, soaking it in alongside the warm sun and cool, salty air.Flowers were ever...

8 likes 0 comments 0
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The Journey To You

Submitted to Contest #264

Author’s Note:You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough – Mae WestI dedicate this story to my future dogs, whom I will love for all eternity. Dray’s and Bronwyn’s love was something, but ours will be bigger. Thank you.⚬ ⚬ ⚬I waited in my room, my knuckles white and my breathing shallow. Through the window, I could see lines of soldiers patrolling the streets below. Was this really necessary? Couldn’t I stop this? Did lives have to be sacrificed for some senseless conflict? Why did I have to live in the West?I slowly walked o...

9 likes 0 comments 0
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The Wedding Crasher's Guide to Kissing Your Sister's Ex

Submitted to Contest #264

The Wedding Crasher's Guide to Kissing Your Sister's Ex I was never the main character of my story. I was always the background character, sitting in the back of the classroom, Stella's little sister who followed her like a shadow. When we’d be out with our mom, people would always say Stella looked just like her. Then they’d turn to me, if they noticed I was there at all, and ask if I was a school friend. Mom made us take ballet lessons when we were kids. I was Snowflake Number 7 in the Nutcracker (Stella was Clara), an unnamed or...

7 likes 1 comment 1
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He Who Trailed the Sun

Submitted to Contest #264

The letter had come in a bout of confusion, the rider passing Tobias a weather worn envelope with furrowed brows. "Paid me seven jeweled necklaces for this to be delivered within the day," the rider explained gruffly. "Nearly cost my horse 'er life." He said no more, shifting his filthy boots back into the stirrups and riding off. Tobias could hear the faint jingle in his pockets as he faded into the distance.Once he was sure the rider had gone, Tobias ripped open the letter feverishly. A sun born grin spread across his lips, cheeks achi...

14 likes 2 comments 2
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Whisky, Weddings, and Ruins

Shortlisted for Contest #264 ⭐️

Not even the beauty of the Scottish landscape could lighten Brendan’s melancholy. He leaned on the parapet atop an ancient castle with his arms crossed under his chin and his back hunched. His heavy brow knotted in a gloomy expression as he squinted at the scenery.He found no solace in the symmetry of the rolling hills, no harmony in the sound of the rustling branches of the trees, or any beauty in the soft evening light. The fragrant breeze caressing his cheeks was lost on him.It should have been a perfect day. The wedding ceremony should h...

27 likes 13 comments 13
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Coming Around Again

Submitted to Contest #264

November has snuck its way into the landscape and Summer is a memory that still hurts in the telling. Deathly Winter stalks the unsuspecting days, just a little further along the path of life, and the idea of rebirth is just that. An abstraction that does not yet belong in the world. There is a chill in the air, but it is not yet cold. The old church is draughty and the gutless heating pipes fight a losing battle against the belligerent rock foundations. The modern world is of no interest to this ancient place. The old stone bones are about ...

11 likes 10 comments 10
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Sweater

Submitted to Contest #264

Fall came early and that meant Ellie was about to spend a few weeks preparing her garden for colder nights. Without Henry by her side, gardening felt more like a chore than a good time. But it had to be done and the next day she was up early. Every morning was the same: make a cup of tea, walk the dog, make breakfast. In that exact order with some minimal changes depending on the weather. Never in her almost eighty years of life did Ellie imagine her days being so dull. I guess it’s natural if you spend your entire life with a best friend by...

23 likes 18 comments 18
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AngelEyes

Submitted to Contest #264

“So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”- Matthew 19:6 Her brow pinched tight to the centre of her forehead in tortured silence, fighting the tears begging to spring forth. The inky veil fell in front of her face, almost opaque with blackness and heavy with tulle, cascading to the shiny abyss of parquet at her feet and covering her blonde tresses. Lace roses edging the bottom of the piece burned hot from the lamplight. She kept her chin raised, her shoulders back, holding herself up...

7 likes 0 comments 0
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The Widower and the Old Maid

Submitted to Contest #264

Melissa wasn’t looking forward to another wedding. She definitely wasn’t looking forward to going to her 20-year- old niece’s wedding when she was a 42-year-old old maid. Old maid, that wasn’t a term that was still used anymore, but that was how she felt.  She couldn’t even remember the last time she had been on a date. She had dated a lot when she was younger, but she hadn’t found anyone she was compatible with. Now, it was even more difficult; most of the men she knew were married. Her only options were t...

6 likes 0 comments 0
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The Wedding Surprise

Submitted to Contest #264

Alisha stood looking back at the mirror, her hands on her hips while the bride's mother tried not to stick pins in her. The long pale blue bridesmaid dress was not designed for her, but last night’s phone call changed that. She boarded the flight to witness the marriage of her lifelong school friend and then came the phone call in the taxi. One of the bridesmaids had fallen ill and couldn’t make the wedding. Luckily for the bride, I was slightly thinner than the maid the dress was designed for. She stood still watchi...

17 likes 12 comments 12
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3:10 to Union

Submitted to Contest #264

On the night before his wedding, Gerald was moved to speak to the bridal party and guests with uncharacteristic candor:Beatrice, darling, it’s still hard to imagine we lived 90 plus years in the same city without ever crossing paths, and then, as if by some miracle, we met at Frank’s Liquor Emporium two Christmases ago. “I was here first!” I remember hearing you roar as you grabbed the last box of wine from my hand. Chablis, wasn’t it? I would have given chase, but your elbow to my groin left me immobile for several hours, in fact. I be...

18 likes 15 comments 15
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Sea of Love

Submitted to Contest #264

Vickie Riggan1586 words Sea of Love Mattie sat in the lobby of the chapel and turned the slick full color brochure over in her hands reading the blurbs, ignoring the posed photos of young, blissful brides in billowing white gowns with veils floating on invisible breezes. “Do you remember the day you met? Of course you do, and you’ll never forget the day you wed at Sea of Love Wedding Chapel.” She thought it sounded kind of cheesy but how many ways can you say, “Come and get married at our wedding chapel as opposed to ...

7 likes 2 comments 2
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