Playing Footsie

By Sheri L. Williams

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Unveil the Unexpected Rom-Com Sensation!

Playing Footsie

Love, Laughter, and a Dash of Dare!

Marion thought her post-divorce life couldn't get any wilder, until she stepped into a "Finally Free" party with her spirited friends. Little did she know, a daring game of Truth or Dare would kickstart a hilarious and heartwarming journey in "Playing Footsie."

Marion's Liberation: Recently divorced and yearning for a fresh start, Marion accidentally stumbles upon a lucrative side hustle—selling feet pics! It's all fun and games until she realizes the unexpected financial windfall could lead her to the condo of her dreams.

Virgil's Secret Crush: Enter Virgil, the charming new office recruit, whose accidental discovery of Marion's unique venture changes everything. The shy yet endearing Virgil, fascinated by Marion's charisma, inadvertently stumbles upon her secret feet pic account. Can this quiet office guy find the courage to step into the limelight of Marion's life?

From Work Friend to Confidante: As Virgil becomes Marion's confidante, listening to her dating misadventures with unwavering support, a unique bond forms. Little does Marion know that her feet pic enthusiast is right under her nose, diligently working alongside her every day.

A Confession Gone Awry: When Virgil finally gathers the courage to confess his admiration, Marion's unexpected reaction sends him into a spiral of shame. Opting to work from home, Virgil grapples with the aftermath, fearing he may have lost his chance at something special.

❤️ Heartfelt Redemption: Discover how Marion, in a twist of fate, recognizes the shy coworker's kindness and connection. As she unravels the truth, love blossoms amidst laughter, friendship, and a touch of footsie.

Step into the Unexpected!

"Playing Footsie" is a delightful romantic comedy that explores love, acceptance, and the unexpected places we find connection. Join Marion and Virgil in a toe-tapping journey that proves sometimes, love is just a footstep away!

Are you ready to play?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: Dec 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094469478

Sheri L. Williams

N/A

Book preview

1

Marion

W e are thirty-ish year-old women. Why are we playing Truth or Dare? Marion asked.

Because you got married at eighteen and missed out on all the fun, stupid shit we did in college so you could be a wife. But now you’re free! June said, words only slurring a little bit.

FREE! three other voices shouted.

So, now it’s time to do the stupid, fun shit you missed out on. Beth finished with a bow, her cheap plastic tiara almost falling off her curly blonde hair.

Okay, fine. Truth or Dare it is. Marion sighed and finished her glass of Prosecco, then refilled it before sitting on the couch next to Khloe.

It’s gonna be fine. We won’t embarrass you too much, Khloe promised with a pat on Marion’s knee. Marion scoffed. She knew her friends well enough to know they would embarrass her easily, it’s what they did.

Khloe looked around and settled on June. Okay, Junie, truth or dare?

Oh man, truth. Y’all are crazy and I can’t imagine what you’d make me do after a few glasses of wine. June tossed back the rest of her wine before pulling her legs up to sit cross-legged on the couch. C’mon, ask your worst.

Marion sat back and watched as Khloe and Beth conferred in whispers. Her friends were odd but she loved them and had missed them over the last few years. Her life had revolved around Mark, their marriage, his job, even though she’d had her own career. He’d been sure she’d be the perfect host and for so long, that was what she had done, but not anymore. Not for him at least.

Khloe’s laughter brought her back from the terrible trip down memory lane.

Right, June. I want to know the truth about that night with Gordo. You came back to the door in his shirt but you swore nothing happened since you were dating John long distance. Now, tell the truth. Khloe’s grin was manic, Beth and June rolled their eyes.

Fine. Fine. I’m a terrible person and I slept with Gordo who was pretty damn worth it considering John broke up with me the next week for that Spanish exchange student. June shrugged. "Plus Gordo did this thing with his tongue…. Whoo boy, John didn’t have nothing on him."

Marion laughed with the others, glad to finally hear the truth. Back then, she’d only heard these stories through the phone, she had been serving drinks at a work party for Mark that night. She remembered talking to June the morning after and thinking that June had been very vague about it all. But she hadn’t been with them at college, and by that point, she’d already started feeling like she was losing them.

Mark had been certain she would grow apart from her friends simply due to distance, and he’d been right. Just one of the things she’d hated about him once her eyes had been opened. She sipped on her wine and hoped it would take Mark off her mind. She was here to enjoy time with her friends, not ruminate on how her life had gone so wrong.

Of course, Beth turned to her next. Okay, Mare, truth or dare.

Dare, I guess. Best to get it out of the way, she figured.

Beth ruminated for a few minutes before an awful grin crossed her face. I dare you to set up one of those accounts and sell feet pics!

All around them, their friends hooted and hollered. Marion studied Beth, wondering where that idea had even come from. But the longer she stayed silent, the more the cheers turned to taunts; her friends had already decided she wouldn’t do it.

Give me my laptop, Marion told them. Fourteen years of her life down the drain, if this was the fun she’d missed, might as well go all in.

Yes! Beth threw her fist into the air and grinned. I knew you would do it.

Exactly how long have you been planning this? Marion asked. She had her laptop open on her thighs and her fingers poised over the keyboard. And how exactly does one go about starting to sell feet pics?

There are websites, Mare. Just google. But make sure you do it incognito, Beth said before both she and June giggled. It was Khloe who moved to sit next to Marion and actually did the search for her.

"No, really Beth, tell me why you want this so bad. I’m doing it, for sure, but why?"

Honestly? Beth asked.

Yes, Beth. Honesty please. Marion laughed but it hid her wariness.

"Because it’s exactly the kind of thing that pompous ass Mark would turn his nose up at and it gives you money. So two birds, one stone."

Well, if you just want to piss off Mark, I’m in.

Don’t forget the money! June called out before dissolving into giggles.

Yes, money. Get you out of that mausoleum Mark called a house, Khloe added. You’re young and hot, get yourself a condo and a young man and poof! No more divorce depression.

I’m not actually depressed though. This was a long time coming, even before he cheated.

"I still think you need to find an equally hot young thing and work out some of your not depression. Ain’t nothing better at getting you over a man than getting under another one," Beth chimed in.

Yes, your theory has been proven multiple times. Khloe told Beth, before she turned around Mare’s laptop. "Voila! I gave you a name and a password and set you up a secret email and all that jazz!"

Now, we take pics, ’cause, let’s face it, your feet are weirdly pretty. Beth giggled.

Is there something you wanna tell me, Beth? Something about a foot kink, perhaps? Mare teased.

Hell, if I was gonna have a feet kink, it would be all about them toes. Beth waggled her eyebrows and blew a kiss at Mare, who pretended to swat it away, making Beth laugh so hard she almost fell off the couch.

"So what I’m learning is that