Cupid’s Dart

Parthenon, Athens, Greece © Google Maps photo orb by Rachel Malloy

It wasn’t just the fact that Tad had flirted with the waitress at the reception, or that he’d vanished for nearly five hours without explanation when they docked in Salerno.

“He’s only marrying you for your money,” her best friend had cautioned. It appeared she was right.

Ellie tripped and stubbed her toe on a rocky outcrop.

“Klutz,” he snorted. Tad walked away, toward the Parthenon, his eyes on a willowy blonde who was snapping photos.

She bent down to inspect her toe. Not bleeding, at least. Beside it was a smoothly polished oval stone. She turned it over to find an engraved arrow.

“Cupid’s dart” a voice said.

She looked up, startled. It was one of those tall, handsome Greeks, this one with with tarragon eyes. “Looks like true love has found you,” he said.

“Not likely.” She glanced at the stone, then back up. Or maybe, it had.

150 words

This has been an edition of What Pegman Saw. To read more stories inspired by the prompt, or to submit your own, click here.

Thanks Georgie Moon, for the great location suggestion this week. Greece has always seemed the most romantic of getaways, so I couldn’t resist writing a romance (of sorts).

For anyone interested/wondering about my Women of Courage articles, I’m taking a brief hiatus during the month of November so as to complete the first draft of my latest novel Best Friends for Never. I should be back on track in December.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

17 Comments

  1. That’s a toxic relationship right there – what an awful man you’ve prtrayed in so few words! Love the finding of the stone – maybe it will show her the way. Great story Karen, lovely writin

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Lynn. I have a feeling she will find a happily ever after eventually. Thanks for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Let’s hope so! My pleasure 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Cupid is, at heart, a trickster. Eros poisons the tip of his arrows 😉
    Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Wow! Such a lot of detail about Tad and Ellie and their marriage. I love, too, the significant detail of the oval stone with the engraved arrow, that turns a conventional girl meets boy story into something a little bit different.
    Well written, Karen!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Penny, I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  4. Goodbye Tad! A real ‘Shirley Valentine’ feel to this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Maybe it has, but even if not, then let’s hope she dumps Tad and moves on. For a guy who wants to marry her for her money, you’d think he’d make a better show of it until after the nuptials.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t think the fellow does much thinking. Thanks for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Lavanya

    When I first saw this week’s prompt, I wanted to yell – “So cool, Karen. You have finally landed on Greece.” Greece somehow makes us all picture Aphrodite and all the associated romance. Nice write!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so glad you liked the location. Thank Georgie Moon for the suggestion. I’d be glad to take your suggestion anytime too!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Tad’s a jerk. Even without Cupid’s Arrow he’s gonna lose her. As it stands, there’s a Greek waiting to show her better times. I love stories like this, when justice is served.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 🙂 Glad you liked it. Thanks for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. I hope she kicks Tad to the curb and uses Cupid’s rock on someone more deserving (if that’s how it works). Otherwise she could chuck it at Tad, maybe he’ll overbalance and fall to his death. Tragic accident.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Chucking it at Tad is a great idea! Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

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