Four-Letter Words: A "First to Say It" Story

By T.L. Hammond

Some of the most powerful words in the English language have just four letters. When the right two people come together and just one four-letter word is passed, it stimulates a reaction capable of changing both parties for life.

As Lily and her best friend Katia navigate their love lives in their late twenties to early thirties, they stumble upon a game that opens the door to unexpected excitement. They dare one another to take heart-pounding, provocative steps with the first man to utter a specified four-letter word over the course of an event. From Lily’s little sister’s pre-wedding celebration at an elegant hotel to a dingy bar across the street from a seedy motel, the friends use the game to enter new worlds of seduction that might have otherwise passed them by.

“The First to Say…” is a game of flirtation and temptation that will carry Lily and Katia through some of the most troubling phases of their lives. The unexpected is bound to happen when the right man speaks the right four-letter word to a woman destined to become more than just a stranger passing in the night.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: Jul 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781094411958

Book preview

Part One: The First to Say Baby

I don’t even want a relationship.

I’m sitting in the back of a limo with my best friend, Katia, and I’m already three glasses of wine into what will turn into a long night. I don’t require commitment or even exclusivity.

No exclusivity? What are we looking for here? A hookup? She laughs and nudges me with her elbow, but I’m not in the mood to laugh it off.

Sure. Why not? I’ll take anything I can get at this point. I straighten my hot-pink dress over my thighs. Let one man just call me baby, and I’m likely to Taser him and drag him to my bed.

Then do it. Katia’s laughing and I can’t tell if she’s serious, drunk, or both. The first man to call you baby goes home with us tonight.

I think about it for a minute, then nod. Why not? I doubt anyone will call me baby tonight, but let’s give it a shot.

You just have to talk to people. It clearly has nothing to do with your looks. You’re gorgeous. Just open up a little.

The limo stops in front of a large hotel and the driver rushes out to open the door for us. I step out and hook my arm with Katia’s as we make our way up to the front door. I know she’s right. I’m more of a quiet, laid back person, and I find chitchat slightly awkward. Many men make their approach but find it difficult to get more than one-word answers out of my mouth. Most give up long before we get anywhere near the word baby.

My baby sister will be married tomorrow, I say as Katia pulls open the large doors and guides me toward the ballroom on the opposite side of the entranceway. She’s only twenty. I’m almost thirty. What’s wrong with this picture here?

Katia stops me just outside the doors, fluffs my curly blonde hair over my shoulders, and looks me straight in the eye. What’s wrong is you don’t talk to people. You just need to put yourself out there, and I’m serious, the first man to say baby gets you as a prize.

I felt practically naked walking out of my house less than an hour ago, but the alcohol is hitting. I feel my hips swaying and my head holding up with a touch more confidence as I accept a glass of wine. The hot-pink silk dress falls just below my rear end, so I try to remind myself not to bend down for a dropped napkin or dance a little too wildly. Throwing my hands in the air might lead to a tragic reveal, and my breasts are already trying to poke out at the top.

We stroll around the perimeter of the ballroom like lions ready to pounce. Perhaps it should be cougars in this scenario, but I’m not looking for a little boy. I’m looking for a grown man in a well-pressed suit with a beard and the nerve to walk over and say something like, Can I get you a drink, baby?

Katia nudges me with her elbow and points to a man in the center of the room, talking to my little sister’s husband-to-be. He has the grizzly beard that would send goosebumps down my thighs plus long brown hair pulled neatly back into a short ponytail. I imagine him letting it down, the hair falling to his shoulders and covering his cheeks.

Not bad, I say. Then, as Katia grabs my arm and leads me in his direction, I protest, We can’t just walk up to him out of the blue! I try to stop, but she continues moving forward with my arm attached to hers.

Good evening, gentlemen, Katia says, reaching out to give the groom a hug. I haven’t seen you in a while, Kevin. You excited to say I do tomorrow?

Can’t wait. I’m still in shock she said yes. Kevin steps toward me with arms open wide. Glad you’re here, Lily. Your sister’s around somewhere. She was looking for you earlier.

I accept his hug and try not to glance at the man standing next to him. There’s a moment of awkward silence before Katia comes to the rescue again.

I don’t believe we’ve met, she says, closing the distance between them with an outstretched hand. I’m Katia. This is my friend Lily, sister of the bride.

Nice to meet you both. The man accepts Katia’s hand, then reaches out for mine. I give him a firm shake and try to make eye contact, but he looks away quickly. I’m Jon, uncle of the groom.

So that makes you, what? Somewhere in your thirties? Katia asks the question as casually as she might comment on the weather or the Panthers.

I feel my cheeks burn red, but there’s nothing to do but stand there smiling. I try to avoid eye contact