Island Surprise

Welcome to my blog, the story tentatively titled Island Surprise continues. This week's writing prompt is future.

The doors to the large ballroom were opened for the award ceremony, and the crowd rushed in. Claire walked in and searched for seats near the aisle, not that she expected to win. She wanted to make sure Sam found her in the crowd. Their book, The Longest Day, was nominated for best romantic suspense. She looked around for Nancy, she was right next to her when the doors opened, but they must’ve gotten separated in the mob.

Friends and others writers she’s known for years, came over to her and give her a thumbs up or showed their fingers crossed for her. It never ceased to amaze her how supportive the romance genre had been, she was happy to be a part of it.

Nancy sat down next to her. Claire’s eyebrows went up, and she let out a soft sigh of relief. “What happened to you? I thought I lost you.”

“Right before the doors opened, Dan approached me and said he wanted to talk to us.”

Claire moved in closer to her friend, “Are you kidding me? I didn’t see him.”

“Well, he saw us, and he says it’s important that he speak with us. I told him I had to be in here for this, and then just got away from him. I didn’t look back, I just moved ahead with the crowd.” Nancy pointed at the empty chair. “Where’s Sam?”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t like attending these things.”

“That might be true for his books, but this one is for the both of you. He’ll be here. He wouldn’t miss this.”

Claire heard her friend and knew deep inside it was true. When she and Sam stayed up talking about their work while at the hotel on Maui, she could tell that the characters they created meant something special to him. He wanted to see them in future stories, and was outlining a series for them. Whether she was ready or not she would be spending more and more time with Sam, her heart leaped at the very thought. She took a couple of deep breaths to center herself.

She looked around the ballroom for Sam again, and instead caught sight of Dan entering through an unattended side entrance. A shot of adrenalin raced through her system giving her instant energy if she needed it. “Great, Dan just came in. Why is that door open? And where the hell is Sam?”

Nancy squirmed in her seat. “Maybe we should get up and move.”

“No, we have great seats. The place is filling up. We won’t be able to find three seats together.” This was her big night and she wasn’t about to let a possible murderer ruin it for her.

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