River City Connections — 2025-11-30 (Patreon)

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HOUSE GUEST by Hayes Markel

I woke up a little while ago, used the bathroom, and got back in bed to watch the news for a few minutes before getting up for real. I guess Jordan heard the TV–she came to the door and knocked softly.

I sat up and said, “Come in. What’s up?”

“First off,” she said, “how are your folks?”

I went up to Nashville on Friday and got in late Saturday night. “They’re good. Already decorating for Christmas.”

“It’ll be here quick,” she said.

She went on to tell me that she’d told Cindi Curtis, the girl in Colorado she plays World of Warcraft with, the girl dating Jordan's boss, that it was okay to spend a few nights with us.

“She has bad anxiety disorder, and Michael thought she’d do better around someone she knows for a few days.”

Jordan said she’d sleep on the sofa and let Cindi have her room, then she asked, “What’s your plans for after church?”

I decided to tell the truth. “Roman called last night…”

“Back to work?”

I shrugged. “He said something like, ‘Hey… would you like to activate executive assistant mode and go Christmas shopping Sunday afternoon? If anyone asks, we’re getting presents for the office and the partners.’”

“What did you say?”

“I said I would be glad to, then…” I decided to tell the whole story. “Well, he said he’d buy me a nice dinner when we got done.”

Jordan leaned against the doorframe and looked at me, head tilted. “You’ve never said, but… are you two… a thing?”

I looked down. “No… If I didn’t work for him, I’d consider it. I mean… who wouldn’t? But, I don’t want people thinking I dated my way to success. And that’s the polite way to say it.”

“Oh…” Jordan nodded. “Yeah, I know what you mean. And I guess that’s very smart, to be honest.”

I shrugged again. “I suppose… but… I will enjoy the time with him outside the normal work routine.”

Jordan smiled. “I’m sure you will… Thanks for understanding about Cindi… I need to get ready for church…”

“Me too… see you in a few.”

The Storylines are the heart of Ailana Geven Imagines, and they are found in the Collections section of the site.

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WHAT INSANITY LOOKS LIKE by Cindi Curtis

See my face? This is what insanity looks like! I’ve lost my mind! Probably.

Quick recap.

I have a fairly bad generalized anxiety disorder. I’m learning to manage it.

I was born and raised here in Colorado Springs (think mountains). I went to Colorado School of Mines (think mountains). My anxiety resulted in me working from home in Woodland Park (think mountains and by myself).

Over the last 9 months, my great moments in recovery have been dashes into the shampoo aisle and actually going inside a McDonalds to order food, along with a few jaunts into the gas station convenience store.

Today, my newly found insanity will put me in a car with Michael pointed east to places without mountains that are crowded with things I’ve never seen and people I don’t know! I’m going to spend a few nights with a girl I know from World of Warcraft who works for Michael (along with her roommate that I’ve never met or spoken to).

In my whole life, the number of days I’ve not lived in the shadow of the Rockies is tiny! A couple of family vacations… A trip in elementary school to some wedding somewhere…

At some point in Kansas, I’ll be able to see the horizon in all directions! Like being on a boat out in the ocean or something. No mountains? New people? A thousand miles between where I am and the safety of my home?

But…

THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT!

This last week has been amazing, and I’m ready to take on a whole new… something…

I’ve packed up all three of my laptops, car-chargers, extra batteries, iPad, and every cable needed. I packed some clothes, of course.

Blast off to the new reality happens as soon as we change clothes and fill up the rental car.

Memphis, here we come!

BIG PROBLEM by Roman Lenox

I had a great day. Too great.

I talked myself into thinking it was a good idea to have Hayes go Christmas shopping with me. I wanted to get gifts for the office and the other partners. She agreed.

Somewhere between the second store and the restaurant, she laughed at something I said, and I felt it right in my ribs. That was the moment I knew I’d made a mistake.

I felt my arm go to her shoulder and I pulled her close. Only for a second. But in that second, I desperately wanted to pull her into a hug. Maybe kiss her…

I let go before my thoughts won the moment.

I also offered to buy her dinner. She agreed to that, too.

So, essentially, I’m out on a date with a woman that technically works for me. Though as often as not, it feels like we are a team, HR wouldn’t see it that way.

But, she brings out something I don’t have room for — not with this career, not with this company. She’s easy to talk to. Too easy. She makes the day feel lighter, and that’s dangerous.

I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize her job with LMD. Hayes is good. Not ‘good for her age.’ Just good. And I won’t be the reason anyone doubts that.

She’s very good at what she does, and my interest in her beyond the professional level shouldn’t be held against her.

Bottom line… I can’t let things escalate in this way. This is Hayes’s first career position. My feelings for her can’t taint that, and I sure don’t want to make any problems for the other partners.

I’m irritated at myself for being in this conflict. I know better. I know what’s right and what’s not allowed.

So, as much as I liked this day and this dinner, I can’t let it happen again. I don’t think it was a good idea. I can’t keep crossing lines, even small ones. They don’t stay small.

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