Short Story, Theme Prompt

All In The Game

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for Muse on Monday where David  
asks us to write a ‘romantic story with no
dialogue’. Here’s where the prompt took me.

Image by Me & ChatGPT

She enters the café, auburn hair catching afternoon light. He glances up from his book ….. once, twice …. then pretends to read the same paragraph, three times.

She chooses a table diagonal to his, close enough. While stirring her coffee, she looks toward the window, but her eyes drift sideways. Their gazes collide. She smiles, barely, then looks away, tucking hair behind her ear.

He shifts in his seat, suddenly aware of his posture. Straightens. Closes the book with deliberate slowness, leaving it on the table like evidence of his presence.

She crosses her legs, her skirt shifting. Traces the rim of her cup with one finger. Glances again …. longer this time. He meets it, holds it, feels his pulse quicken. The corner of his mouth lifts.

He stands, casual, as if stretching. Moves to the counter, orders another coffee he doesn’t need. On his way back, he passes her table. Their eyes lock. She tilts her head slightly, an invitation or a question.

He pauses. Gestures to the empty chair across from her, eyebrows raised.

She nods, just once.

He sits. They both lean forward, hands on the table, fingertips nearly touching. His fingers drum nervously. Hers slide closer. The space between them shrinks.

She laughs silently at something in his expression. He grins, uninhibited now.

Their hands finally meet. No words needed. Never were.

NAR©2026

This is “The Mating Game” by Bitter: Sweet

Muse on Monday – January 19, 2026

All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

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