“Do you notice anything different about me?”
I looked up from my laptop, surprised to see Claudia standing in the doorway of my office.
“Darling, what are you doing here?” I asked, watching the door close behind her. She seldom visited the office.
She grinned. “Look at me. Anything different?”
I hated these sort of questions. They seemed designed to get an unwary man into big trouble, and I began to tread very carefully.
I took my time studying her slender figure and those gorgeous, long legs. Nothing new that I could see. Her pretty, heart-shaped face looked the same. Maybe it was the hair…
“New hairstyle?”
She laughed. “Seriously?” She ran a hand through the thick, shiny crop of short, blond hair.
Not the hair, then.
Something was different… it was something about her eyes, green and sparkling. “The glasses! Your glasses are missing! Did you get contacts?”
She pouted playfully. “You know I only wear glasses for reading! You’re making this much harder than it should be, Malcolm.”
“Can you give me a hint?”
She thought about it, and then giggled. “Okay… you get one hint – but just one! Now close your eyes for a second.”
I heard sounds of brief rummaging, probably through that purse of hers, which seemed the size of a small piece of carry-on luggage.
“Okay,” she cried. “You can open ’em!”
She stood there, eyes shining and hands clasped behind her back. Her giggles had subsided, replaced by a tender smile which played sweetly about her lips.
“So… what’s the hint?”
She brought her left hand forward, its contents now visible.
“Now do you notice anything different about me?” she asked softly.
I did, and quickly took her into my arms and kissed her.
The silver rattle, released, fell gently to the carpet.
____________________
Word Count: 300
Author’s Note: This week’s tale is written in response to a challenge to write a 500-words or less story with the words, “do you notice anything different about me?” You can check out these weekly flash fiction challenges hosted by ThainInVain here.
Odyssey of a Novice Writer 
That’s adorable!
Thank you!
*sighs* correction *happy sighs*
I needed this one today. Lovely and romantic and sweet.
Glad I could oblige! š Thanks, Mark.
So endearing, Kate. I liked how you were able to capture a man’s POV, especially the discomfort about saying something wrong!
Thanks, Meg!
Very nice story. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the read.
Hi Debi, thanks for dropping by and letting me know that you enjoyed the story. I appreciate it. š
Loved it! Most of us went dark on thus one, but you made it touching.
Thanks, Mark. This was a little different from what I usually write, but I was sort of at a loss as to what to write this time around. And then this idea popped up. I’m glad it worked.
Like, each and every one of your stories are just perfect!
This one is so sweet.
You are one of my all-time favorite bloggers! š
Can’t help, but fall in love with your work. š
You are so kind! Thank you for those lovely words. You made my day! ā¤
I meant it. š
I was totally expecting her to whip open a trenchcoat and have some S&M gear underneath or something, lol. Ya know, an office quicky to keep the romance going? … but I like the sweet ending, too. š
Ah, Bree – your comment made me laugh. What you were expecting would normally be what I’d write. I guess I was feeling pretty mellow when I wrote this one. š
I hate that question: notice anything different about me? It’s a pool of quicksand every man hopes to avoid. Wonderful that you chose it! I had expected a ring on her finger, so the rattle was a surprise. You know I love your stories!
Noelle, I have to agree that men hate that question. We women notice EVERYTHING; men – perhaps not so much. And then we’re super sensitive when they don’t notice our hair is parted on a different side! lol
I’m glad you liked the story!
Speaking of stories, I’ve started reading your novel about the inquisitive Rhe Brewster. Just started this afternoon. I am 18% of the way through according to my Kindle.
What a really lovely ending š
Glad you liked it! š
Awwww š such a cute little story š
Thanks, Naomi. š
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Adore the twist, Kate. Shake, rattle and roll!
Thanks! š
Awwww. That’s nice. A soppy story story from you for once as opposed to the dark ones I come to know (and love)… or is there a hidden meaning to this one?
Nah, this one was pure schmaltz. Sometime you gotta let your better angels take over – but only sometimes…
Who knows? Maybe the kid turned out to be Rosemary’s baby!
…or Damien.
Damien! Now why didn’t I think of that?
Very touching. I also like the way he notices all the things about her that make her special to him, a man who clearly loves his wife dearly. A story that raised a smile on this romantic’s face.
Thanks, Margaret! Glad you liked it. š
Made me smile! My husband lives in dread of those conversations when he’s supposed to notice something š
Yeah, we women can be tough someetimes! š
How touching!! We are so used to our loved ones that what makes them special to us often fades into the background–until we are asked “do you notice anything different about me.” I really like how he notices all the things that make her lovely to him! Great story, Kate! TiV
Thanks, TiV! I struggled a bit with this prompt. It was only five minutes before I wrote the story that I finally had an inkling as to what to write. Glad you enjoyed it.
It was great! And totally get it about the brain blip with some prompts! Good work!
š
Nice job. Didn’t expect that ending.
That’s because I usually write something weird! š Glad you liked it.
Excellent work as always, my dear! ā¤
Thank you! ā¤
Sweet. This is the best something different of all. Very good.
Thanks, Linda. š
Ah, sweet surprise š
Glad you liked it. š
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