PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Henry hated these things. He hated the small talk and the choking necktie and the hearty handshakes as he milled about the crowd. But it was good for the Foundation, which was why he came.
Between the buffet and the bar stood a woman like a Michelin star confection. She smiled and walked over, one hand extended. “I do declare,” she said, each word basted in gumbo. “You’re Henry Hall. I admire your work.”
Her hand was as silky as a summer nightgown. “Thank you,” he said, voice husky.
“What brings you out to our gala?”
“I love these things.”
—
100 words.
This has been an edition of Friday Fictioneers. Thanks Rochelle for hosting this party and thanks to Dale Rogerson for this week’s photo. To see more stories inspired by the prompt or to submit your own, click here.
k. Rawson 
Clever witty story. And I love your illuminating phrases – a Michelin star confection, basted in gumbo – and silky as a summer nightgown. Delightful.
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Thanks so much, Jilly!
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Dear Karen,
I rarely use the word brilliant, but in this case I’ll make an exception. Wonderful descriptions…I echo Jilly. Amazing how that certain someone changes his tune. Love this!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m delighted you like it! Thanks for your kind words–it means a lot, coming from you!
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Flattery wins every time
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Henry knows how to work the crowd.
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Yes indeed. I think she knows how to work him too. Thanks for reading, Iain!
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I think Henry has found the benefit of attending.
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I think you’re right! Thanks for reading, James.
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“Each word basted in gumbo”—-“Ah do duclayuh” you made me hear that accent just as clear as day 🙂
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Hehehe, I’m so glad. Your response made me giggle. Thanks for reading.
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Ah do declayuh! You made me laugh too!
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You do that well, Linda. I can see you’ve had some practice. 🙂
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My parents moved from Minnesota to South Carolina after I was married, so there were many visits to the South. I don’t speak Southern, though. I speak Minnesotan 🙂
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This is great. I love the descriptions. He’s a smooth one, isn’t he? But if it helps the foundation…
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I think it may help more than the foundation! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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Yes, small talk, hearty handshakes and strangling ties are all awful and to be avoided, but I’m sure he didn’t mind the sacrifice. For the foundation, of course. And being forced to indulge in small talk with that Southern Belle? I’m sure he’ll survive 😉
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He might even do better than survive it. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Trent.
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I’m sure he is hoping to do a lot better than survive 😉
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What a delightful story! Humorous, sexy and beautifully written! I’m smiling with pleasure, Karen. And I’ll echo Rochelle – that’s brilliant!
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Aw, thanks so much for your kind words! I’ve been toying with the idea of making my next novel more romantic than I’ve done in the past, so that’s encouraging feedback!
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It’s all in the perspective, I guess. Of course, they hook up and she starts dragging him to one or two a month, he’ll be back to hating them again. Probably start to get annoyed by the accent, too. “I never noticed before how much you sound like the cast of Hee-Haw, dear.” 😉
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Lol, you make some really great points. But maybe it’ll be true love, you never know.
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Oh, I love your descriptions of her, all silken, swishing confidence and gumbo! Perfect. His voice has gone husky – I wonder if he’ll fall for her? Loved it Karen
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Thanks Lynn, so glad you liked it!
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My pleasure Karen
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I love this, Karen.One man’s hate is another woman’s love. Or is it? Would love to learn more about this Foundation. Sounds mysterious. Your imagination certainly came out to play, here.
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🙂 Thanks so much Kelvin. You raise some good questions–I wonder myself.
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This was wonderful, Karen. I should think Mr. Hall would hope for a southern belle at each of the functions he must attend… Great descriptions…
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He should be so lucky! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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Indeed… then again, he may have found his “one” 😉 Despite what Josh says… 😛
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Really lovely read. Enjoyed it.
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Thank you lisarey!
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each word basted in gumbo… what a wonderful description. You have some nice lines here and your last line could go in so many directions.
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🙂 Thanks so much!
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i guess he’ll be a changed man from now on. 🙂
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Oh, I heard that honey-sweet accent dipped in gumbo. Wonderful.
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Thanks Lish. When I think of that accent, I hear my ex-mother-in-law. She could read laundry instructions and make it sound like a tantalizing dish.
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Great descriptive writing, loved the wordplay.
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Thanks for stopping by! Glad you liked it.
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Haha, he has quickly adapted to the changing situation. Things are looking up 🙂
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Indeed! Thanks for reading, draliman 🙂
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This one was great. Beautiful descriptions and the contrast in his attitude given the introduction of the female. Nice job 🙂
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Thank you kindly, so glad you liked it.
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O! The joys of small-talk.
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It seems he’s starting to see the joys of small talk… Thanks for reading and commenting, Vivian!
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🙂
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Gee, I hope this lady comes to my book launch. But on the downside, I’m afraid the audience would become infatuated with her and forget I was even in the room.
Outstanding piece, Karen. Six stars on a scale of five from me.
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You made my day Russell. If you see a lady in an evening gown at your event, You’ll know what to expect!
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Lovely, ‘Her hand was as silky as a summer’s nightgown’ – fantastic so full of sexual tension.
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Thanks so much, glad you liked it!
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Love your story – so seamlessly crafted. Like the ‘Michelin star confection’, and the sudden switch from boredom to smouldering attraction.
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Thank you so much. Glad you liked it.
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as others have noted, some gorgeous phrases in your description of this scene. And i loved the echoes of the title in the first and last lines.
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Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
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🙂
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Enticing to say the least.
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