The Social Media Storm Sophie sat curled up on her sofa, scrolling through her phone in the dim glow of the TV. Then she saw it… Emily’s latest Instagram post. Her stomach dropped. The video was a tearful, shaky selfie of Emily, her eyes red-rimmed and her voice cracking with emotion. “I can’t believe...
No Fresh Starts – 11
The Ghost in Flesh The restaurant hummed with midday chatter, orange sunset streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. Mark noticed Emily sitting at the west corner immediately he walked in. She made a dry grin at him as their eyes met but he didn’t return it. She wore a long silk green dress with a thigh...
No Fresh Starts – 10
The Studio Seduction The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the empty studio space, casting long rectangles of light across the polished concrete. Sophie adjusted the strap of her camera bag, her heart pounding as she pushed open the door. Amazon delivery boxes pilled on the right corner of the door. And...
No Fresh Starts – 9
The Did is Doing All Sophie could help was a steady melody of “Ooouuh, aaarhhh, Mark, yeah!” Mark kept his tempo steady on both fingers and tongue. Sophie’s legs neatly wrapped along his shoulders to his back, her toes curling. Suddenly, Sophie could feel the room spinning, a burning but electrifying sensation shot up...
No Fresh Starts – 8
The Lie Unravels They met at the entrance of the studio. Mark was with Stacey, the interior design person she had suggested would help get the space ready. They didn’t waste time with pleasantries as they hurried into the elevator. Immediately they reached the penthouse, Stacey went straight to business, talking about her ideas...
No Fresh Starts – 7
The Morning After The morning light was too bright. Sophie lay curled under her tangled sheets, staring at her buzzing phone as Mark’s name flashed across the screen for the third time. She let it go to voicemail again, pressing her face into the pillow. Pathetic. You’re pathetic. She may have woken late but...
No Fresh Starts – 6
Lines Crossed The knock came at exactly seven. Sophie had spent the last hour rearranging her apartment, hiding the single wineglass by the sink, fluffing the pillows on her couch, adjusting the lighting to something professional. Not romantic. Definitely not romantic. Before she went to the door, she stood by her bed and took...
No Fresh Starts – 5
Dinner was Mark’s idea. “Least I can do after dragging you around all afternoon,” he said, holding the door of a dimly lit Italian bistro open for her. Sophie hesitated, then stepped inside. One meal. Still professional. They ordered. Spaghetti Amatriciana Pasta for her, steak for him, and for a while, they talked about...
No Fresh Starts – 4
Close Quarters The real estate office was sleek and modern, all glass walls and polished concrete floors. Exactly the kind of place that made Sophie feel like she should be holding a green juice instead of her half-empty coffee cup. Mark was already inside, leaning over the agent’s desk, pointing at something on a...
No Fresh Starts – 3
Lessons in Light The morning air in Griffith Park was crisp, the kind of LA weather that made everything feel just a little sharper. Sophie adjusted the strap of her camera bag, scanning the path for Mark. She spotted him leaning against a picnic table, scrolling through his phone, a travel mug steaming beside...