IAIN KELLY

FATEFUL DECISION

He had reached a crossroads. It was now or never. Should he ask her or not?

They had been getting on well. He wasn’t great at reading these sort of situations but there was definite chemistry between them. While at work they sought each other out to chat, there was laughter, there was smiling.

Come on, she was bound to agree to a date, a meal, even just a drink, just the two of them.

He looked at her on the other side of the bar. He had avoided her that evening. She looked particularly attractive, he had always thought that – too good for him.

Perhaps they were only meant to be friends. He didn’t want to ruin that. And you shouldn’t mix work and pleasure. What if she took offence? What if she saw it as exploitation? Unwanted attention?

He finished his drink. He pulled out some coins to head to the bar. What if he let fate decide for him? Toss a coin. Heads he asks her, tails he goes home and tries to forget about it over the weekend.

He picked a pound coin and flicked it into the air.

Across the room she watched him toss a coin into the air and look at it. What was he up to? Why wasn’t he talking to her tonight? They had been getting on well and she thought she was sending out the right signals. All she needed was for him to ask her.

He stood up, put the coin he had been looking at in his pocket, picked up his coat and headed out the door. She watched him go and turned back to the group at the bar.


p1190223
Copyright Sue Vincent

This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt – Decisions curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.

61 responses to “FATEFUL DECISION”

  1. tidalscribe Avatar

    Oh no, that’s sad…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe there will be another chance 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  2. scr4pl80 Avatar

    It must be so hard being a guy. Too bad for him, but perhaps she should have sent him a smile of encouragement?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I remember it was hard even when I was younger. Goodness knows how anyone copes these days with social media and everything else!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. joyroses13 Avatar

    He should have went with his gut instinct, turn back, turn back or she could run out the door after him! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe she should, instead of waiting for him to make the move.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Sadje Avatar

    Hey, a good take on the prompt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Sadje 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  5. magickmermaid Avatar

    If we could only read the other person’s thoughts! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Wouldn’t that be fun – and also probably terrifying! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. quiall Avatar

    I think most of us can relate . . .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Absolutely 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Sue Vincent Avatar

    The pair of them need lessons… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, lessons in straight talking!

      Like

      1. Sue Vincent Avatar

        Ah, youth… 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Violet Lentz Avatar

    Aw… so many misread signals. My cure is, “tell me what you want. “

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Better to be straightforward and take the risk of being hurt, otherwise you get nowhere!

      Like

  9. robertawrites235681907 Avatar

    Good story, Iain. Good thing my husband wasn’t this daft.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If she is the right one for him, he’ll be back – I’m sure your husband knew that too! 😉

      Like

  10. pensitivity101 Avatar

    He should have tossed his coin more discreetly

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps, or made a decision on his own! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. notestowomen Avatar

    Oh, dear. I hope he works up the courage and asks her out. No more coin tossing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps he’ll have second thoughts.

      Like

  12. Mahika Avatar

    What an amazing blog you have !! Loved it !! Do read my new post https://wp.me/p8NgVO-fB and follow my blog if you find it worth !

    Like

  13. Aak fictionspawn Avatar

    Never trust a coin… I wonder how many times I’ve let a possibility slip by like that. I guess I’ll never know. Great story, easy to identify with.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. aheartforafrica641064503 Avatar
    aheartforafrica641064503

    Poor Guy. I hope that he gets another opportunity.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps he will, and will take it next time.

      Like

  15. Jewel Ingalls Avatar

    Never hesitate, life is short!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Sound advice!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. StuHN Avatar

    There is so much distance between people, and too many things to jump over or try to avoid. Dating sucks.

    Sorry I’m not working on the #FF stuff right now. I’m zonked with getting my AtoZ posts out.

    Stuart
    Tale Spinning
    https://stuartnager.wordpress.com/

    PS: if you do go to read, I strongly suggest you start with April 1st’s post. I’m doing another serialized story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Good luck with the A to Z Stu, I will try and get over for a read at some point. I’m missing out this year due to lack of time to do it full justice.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Tina Stewart Brakebill Avatar

    fate is a fickle bitch 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Sure is 🙂

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Becky 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. joylennick Avatar

    Ah, but what I know that you don’t (no don’t ask…)is that, as soon as he reached the street, he changed his mind and returned! (Mum always said I was witch.) x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let’s hope you are right!

      Like

  19. Eliza Waters Avatar

    So much for depending on the fate of the draw!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Sometimes fate seems to dictate an awful lot in life!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. jenanita01 Avatar

    faint heart never won fair lady…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  21. willowdot21 Avatar

    What a missed opportunity!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let’s hope he gets another chance!

      Like

  22. Jennie Avatar
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      This time, I’m afraid so, but who knows… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. thereluctantpoet Avatar

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
    Don’t Miss reading this post – for all the romantic “What if’s”. Guys need to be hit over the head – ladies!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much for the repost 🙂

      Like

  24. joylennick Avatar

    Fate or chance – that is a conundrum.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m a strong believer in fate 🙂

      Like

  25. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    Oh this is so tragic!! And so relatable. This is why I always say to ladies, take a risk to at least tell a guy you are interested and let him take it from there. Technically, it’s not asking him out, just letting him know directly what your feelings are. Guys have to navigate so carefully these days that they miss opportunities.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps she will take the initiative with him!

      Like

  26. Michele Jones Avatar

    How sad. If only. How many of us ask that?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’ve had a few that I can recall!

      Like

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