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.


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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. Oh no, that’s sad…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Maybe there will be another chance 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

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

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Hey, a good take on the prompt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Sadje 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome 😊

        Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I think most of us can relate . . .

    Liked by 1 person

  7. The pair of them need lessons… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yep, lessons in straight talking!

      Like

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

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Like

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

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Like

  10. He should have tossed his coin more discreetly

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Perhaps, or made a decision on his own! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Perhaps he’ll have second thoughts.

      Like

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    Like

  13. 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

  14. aheartforafrica641064503 Avatar
    aheartforafrica641064503

    Poor Guy. I hope that he gets another opportunity.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Perhaps he will, and will take it next time.

      Like

  15. Never hesitate, life is short!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. 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. 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

    1. Thank you so much Becky 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. 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. Let’s hope you are right!

      Like

  18. So much for depending on the fate of the draw!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sometimes fate seems to dictate an awful lot in life!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. faint heart never won fair lady…

    Liked by 1 person

  20. What a missed opportunity!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Let’s hope he gets another chance!

      Like

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

      Liked by 1 person

  21. 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. Thank you so much for the repost 🙂

      Like

  22. Fate or chance – that is a conundrum.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m a strong believer in fate 🙂

      Like

  23. 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. Perhaps she will take the initiative with him!

      Like

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve had a few that I can recall!

      Like

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