Note: This story was written specifically for the first round of NYC Midnight's 2023 250 Word Short Story Challenge. Accordingly, the prompt that this was written to stipulates that it must feature: Romance as the genre; a cake being cut; and at some point the word “used”. The word count was also set at a hard limit of 250, and appears here exactly as it was submitted to that contest.

“Just Married”

By Robert Docherty                

Cracked porcelain mugs clattered on long-abused linoleum.

        Sarah and Julian held hands across the table, giggling like mischievous children. A pleasant silence lingered between them until a blade of shadow crossed Julian's expression.

        "You think we should be feeling this good?" He asked.

        Sarah shrugged, the thought having crossed her mind. Outside, the rear window of their Lincoln was smeared, "Just Married!!!" having been blurred—but not completely removed—thanks to a bottle of water and a T-shirt doubling as a rag. "They usually do in movies." She smiled weakly.

        Julian chuckled. "Movies get to choose their heroes, though."

        "Do you think Max'll feel used? Like he was just…convenient, until I met you?"

        "Probably." Julian sipped his coffee. No sniping or judgment, just flat honesty. He squeezed her hand and continued, gently, "But even if he understands, everyone else will blame you."

        "I would if I were them," Sarah whispered, gazing out the window. The drone of cars on the interstate filtered through, their chrome and glass spitting diamonds of sunlight.        

        "Sorry about the wait, folks," the waitress said,  setting down a small cake between them. "Anything else?"

        "No," they replied.

        Chocolate with vanilla buttercream frosting, only lacking figures of the bride and groom. Julian sliced into it, sliding a piece toward Sarah. "Here." Suddenly it felt grotesque.

        Deep in Sarah's stomach, the elation broke like a wave, the excitement and freedom souring into guilt and fear. The two bites she could manage crumbled, dry and chalky in her mouth.