Opposite Reluctant Novels & Stories

he says. “Yes.” The word comes without hesitation. Now we know it isn’t unstoppable. This isn’t inevitable. This is something we can push back against. Something we can resist. Something we can win.​

"Sorry. I'll watch my language." That's nice of him. I liked how thoughtful he was about his words and how it makes us feel. "It's okay," I assured him. "We're just not really used to those...sentence enhancers." Tristian smiled in relief, while Gabe looked quite offended. Grace looked at him skeptically.

"She already can't stand that I sided with you about the bouquet being romantic." "That's the price of freedom." I keep my voice gentle but firm. "Unless you have half a million lying around, I would suggest you seriously consider this offer." She flinches as the truth lands harder than the words that carry it. Silence stretches between us, I watch the exact moment her resolve crumbles. In the slow slump of her shoulders, the defeated set of her jaw. "I need to think about it," she says finally, her voice hollow. "Of course, take the weekend." I stand, placing a slip of paper on the bench beside her. "My number's on there, call me when you decide."

"And you will do anything if you finish it." Then he chuckled. "I haven't finished it." He took a bigger bite before tossing it into the trash bin at the corner. I gasped. "How do you think i am a successful business man?" I pouted. "By being manipulative." "The burger was good but I could resist finishing it," he replied. "First rule in business : Learn to outsmart your opponent." I snorted in response. "More like manipulate them." "Whatever rocks your boat, Miss Walker."

she stated, her tone earnest and resolute. Alex was initially hesitant. He had always been cautious about aligning himself with those who had once opposed him, wary of the potential backlash and the risk of being seen as compromising his principles. However, he recognized the potential for a powerful partnership. The issues they were discussing—healthcare reform, education equity, and criminal justice—were too important to let personal history dictate their actions. “This is about the people, not our egos,” Alex replied, feeling a sense of unity emerging as they began to brainstorm ways to tackle these pressing issues together.

“We have everything sorted. But thank you for the offer.” Something moved in Margaret’s expression. Quick and controlled. “Well.” She smiled. “The offer stands regardless.” “I’ll keep that in mind,” Miriam said pleasantly. She picked up her plate and turned.

I say, my voice gentle, conveying my love and my desire to resolve things. However, Astrid backs away as if fleeing from a leper, rejecting my touch. The pain intensifies within me, echoing in every fiber of my being. "Go home yourself, that... " she begins to say, but the words hang in the air, laden with hurt and resentment. My heart breaks a little more, feeling the weight of the rejection she expresses. I love her so much, and seeing the barrier between us becoming increasingly insurmountable is like a knife plunged into my chest.

He cursed under his breath. "Who was he?" She asked, controlling her tears. Anger flashed on his features, his jaw tightened more, "Come, " He tugged her to the door. "Ales," She demanded his full attention. She swallowed the rising emotions. She was certain she wasn't getting a single word from his mouth but she wanted to try. His care was visible through his blue eyes. His jaw twitched, "My opponent's friend. Perhaps, he doesn't like that his friend didn't win." He said. His expression was guarded and controlled after blinking his long lashes.

I rubbed my sweaty palms on my leggings and stepped out of my room. Jules and Lucy looked relieved to see me. “You didn’t need to check on me,” I told them. “I appreciate it, though.” “Well things were pretty intense and that group is not exactly easy,” Lucy said understandingly. “Jules and I remember meeting them for the first time.” Jules nodded. “It was horrible. The only saving grace for me was no one said anything bigoted. If they had, I would’ve just been done,” Jules remembered. “Thankfully, Risk scares most of them and the ones he doesn’t scare don’t care.”

Fred gritted his teeth but was reluctant to say he was willing. ‘Of course I’m not!’