Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Gorgeous •|| MARJOREECE ||•

Prompt: Marjorie gets self conscious at the beach.

The warm sun glinted off the gentle waves, and the sound of the ocean filled the air as Marjorie adjusted her wide-brimmed hat and sat on the edge of her towel. The beach was bustling with life—families building sandcastles, children splashing in the shallows, and groups of friends tossing frisbees and volleyballs. The vibrant energy should have been infectious, but Marjorie couldn't shake the growing discomfort in her chest.

She adjusted her cover-up, pulling it tighter around her body despite the oppressive heat. Her eyes darted to a group of women lounging nearby, their toned physiques glistening in the sun. They seemed effortlessly perfect, their laughter ringing out like a melody. Marjorie’s gaze fell to her own thighs, pressing into the towel beneath her, and a familiar voice—her mother’s—echoed in her mind.

“Why can’t you look like them? You’d be so much prettier if you lost a little weight.”

She tried to push the memory away, but it clung stubbornly, turning her stomach into knots.

Reece was a few feet away, shaking the water from his hair after a swim. He caught sight of Marjorie, her shoulders hunched and her expression distant. Frowning, he walked over, his bare feet sinking into the warm sand.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he said, sitting down beside her. His voice was soft but carried a playful lilt, as it always did when he used the nickname.

Marjorie didn’t meet his gaze. She forced a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Hey.”

Reece tilted his head, studying her. He knew her well enough to notice the little things—the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her cover-up, the way her shoulders were drawn in like she was trying to make herself smaller.

“What’s going on?” he asked gently.

“Nothing,” she replied quickly, a little too quickly. She glanced toward the water, avoiding his eyes. “It’s just… hot. That’s all.”

Reece followed her gaze, noticing the group of women she had been watching earlier. It clicked.

He reached out, his hand resting lightly on hers. “Marj,” he said, his tone soft but firm, “don’t do this to yourself.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s hard not to… I just—I look at them, and then I look at me, and… I just don’t measure up. I never have.”

Reece’s heart ached at her words. He scooted closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his side. “That’s not true,” he said firmly. “You’re incredible, Marjorie. You’re beautiful, strong, and kind. And I don’t want you comparing yourself to anyone else.”

She let out a shaky breath, her eyes welling up despite herself. “But they’re so… perfect,” she murmured. “And I’m just…”

“You’re just you,” Reece interrupted, cupping her face gently and turning her to look at him. “And you are more than enough. You always have been.”

Marjorie searched his eyes, the sincerity in his voice chipping away at the wall she’d built around herself. “You’re just saying that,” she whispered.

“No, I’m not,” Reece replied, his voice unwavering. “Do you think I’d call you ‘gorgeous’ every day if I didn’t mean it? Because I do. You’re gorgeous, Marj. Inside and out. And I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.”

Her lips quirked up in a small, uncertain smile. “You’re too good to me, you know that?”

“No,” Reece said with a grin, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “I’m just smart enough to know I hit the jackpot.”

Marjorie let out a soft laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. She glanced back at the group of women, then down at herself. The insecurities were still there, but Reece’s words had planted a seed of confidence—a reminder that she didn’t have to measure up to anyone else.

“You really think I’m gorgeous?” she asked, her voice teasing but tinged with vulnerability.

Reece grinned, his eyes lighting up. “Marjorie, I don’t think—you are gorgeous. End of discussion.”

She rolled her eyes but leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder. “Thanks, Reece,” she murmured, her voice soft.

“Anytime, gorgeous,” he replied, pressing a kiss to her temple.

And as they sat there, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, Marjorie allowed herself to believe him—if only a little.

[A/N: You are gorgeous and perfect just the way you are. Please never forget that. ☺️🫶🏻]