Review originally posted in April of 2013 by Angela at Fiction Vixen.

Thank You for Riding by Cara McKenna (Meg Maguire)
Contemporary Short Story
First published April 2, 2013 by Samhain
Reissued December 14, 2017 by Cara McKenna

The first time Caitlin met Mark they were both sitting in the Red Cross donating platelets. They share a brief flirtation from across the room, mouthing words to each other, sharing a laugh and admiring the other’s ability to squeeze their stress balls. Caitlin leaves without finding out her handsome stranger’s name. She’s an overworked account manager at a financial firm, with a boyfriend she never sees and nothing but a cat to come home to at night. She leaves the donation center thinking of the good-looking man, but never expecting to see him again.

The second time Caitlin met Mark she’s getting on the train heading home after a disastrous office holiday party. Being dumped near the copy machine by your distant co-worker/boyfriend is not the best way to stay in the holiday spirit. Instead of the depressing ride home she expects, she hears someone saying hello. A familiar face greets her, the hottie from the Red Cross sits down next to her and they start-up a conversation. Mark is a youth counselor and sports coach at the local Y, he’s charming, handsome and quite funny. They have a wonderful, witty banter between the two of them and neither wants to say goodnight. After walking slowly and agreeing to exchange numbers they find themselves locked in the train station after closing hours with only each other to snuggle up to.

I loved Caitlyn, she has these wonderful conversations with herself inside her own head:

What if he never wants to see you again after you show him you’re tacky enough to make out with him in a subway station?

Fuck you, rational brain. I thought we were feminists.

Caitlyn and Mark share a chilly night in the train station, where they do a lot of kissing and making out. Since this is a short story, only about 70 pages, I liked the fact that these two only get to rounding third base. A lot of making out, some dry humping, and plenty of talking and getting to know each other. They have a lovely chemistry. There isn’t an HEA, but more a “I can’t wait to see you again” ending. I’d like to think they ended up falling in love and having those 9 kids they were joking about. Final Grade: B

Favorite Quote:

I’m going to kiss him again soon, she decided. Kiss him hello before dim sum on a weekend morning, kiss him thank you afterward and taste salt and spices on his lips. Or if all things went well, kiss him good night. Or if they went really well, kiss him awake the next morning.