He just said best outfit.
She opened the closet and stared at the hangers, fingers brushing past jeans and tees, practical mom clothes, postpartum dresses, the uniform of the version of herself she’d become.
Then her hand landed on a silky, off-the-shoulder black jumpsuit she hadn’t worn in years. Sleek. Elegant. A little bold. She pulled it out slowly, heart thumping.
Why not?
Twenty minutes later, her makeup was soft and glowy, a touch of highlight on her cheekbones, lashes curled just right. She dabbed on her favorite berry lipstick. The one Jake used to saymade her look like trouble and fastened delicate gold hoops in her ears.
Her hair was half-up, soft curls framing her face. She stepped into heels, something she hadn’t done in months, and caught a glimpse of herself in the full-length mirror.
She looked radiant! Not like a tired mother of three. Not like a woman dragging the weight of betrayal.
Like someone who might just steal hearts in a crowded room.
Kylee grabbed her small black purse, slid in her phone and a travel perfume, and took one last breath.She didn’t know where they were going. But for the first time in a long time, she was ready.
Kylee stood by the door, clutching her purse, heart pounding beneath the smooth neckline of her black jumpsuit. Lillian was inside with the kids, already distracted by snacks and a Disney movie.
Jake ran quickly to the shower when he got home. He stepped out a moment later dressed in a crisp black button-down, sleeves rolled to his forearms, dark jeans, and a subtle leather cologne that reached her before he did. His hair was styled like he still cared what she thought. And when his eyes landed on her…
He stopped. Like he’d forgotten how to breathe. “Damn,” he murmured under his breath, stepping closer. “You look incredible!”
Kylee swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing a smile, but there was heat in her cheeks and a flicker of something electric in her chest. “You said the best outfit,” she said, smoothing her hands down her sides. “I aim to follow directions.”
Jake let out a soft, almost nervous laugh and opened the passenger door for her. “And you passed. With honors.”
She raised an eyebrow but slid in, inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne mixed with leather and something new she couldn’t name, maybe hope.
As he walked around and climbed in beside her, neither of them said anything for a long moment.
He reached for her hand, hesitated then took it. “I know things haven’t been easy,” he said quietly as he pulled out of the driveway, “but tonight is not about that. I just want you to have something that’s yours. Something that makes you feel alive again.”
Kylee looked out the window, trying not to let the emotion bubble too quickly. But his words, the tone, the effort it chipped away at something cold she hadn’t realized she was holding onto.
She turned back to him. “Where are we going?”
Jake smirked, eyes on the road. “You’ll see.”
Walking into the restaurant felt like stepping into another world: warm candlelight flickered against gold-accented walls, and the soft hum of a live string quartet filled the air. The host greeted them by name, a quiet sign that Jake had planned ahead. They were led to a private corner table at Amorè, the most romantic restaurant in town, all velvet drapes and intimate shadows.
Kylee moved like a vision in black silk, her heels echoing softly on the polished floors. She felt eyes on her not just because shelooked beautiful, but because she looked powerful. She didn’t feel like someone’s mom tonight. She felt sexy.
They sat across from each other at a table adorned with crystal glasses and a small bouquet of white roses.
“This place is…” Kylee looked around, awe in her voice. “Jake, this is too much.”
He shook his head. “It’s not even close to enough.”
The waiter brought wine, the good kind and their conversation slowly unraveled over plates of lobster risotto and seared duck. Jake asked about her day, actually listened. Kylee found herself laughing, leaning in, and feeling lighter with every passing minute.
For a little while, the weight of everything faded. There was still tension between them, unspoken truths but tonight, he wasn’t the man who’d broken her heart.
Jake didn’t tell her where they were going next. The car pulled into a side lot beside a park she barely recognized until she saw the glow.
Thousands of string lights wove through the trees like stars pulled from the sky. Giant paper lanterns floated above the walking paths. Music played softly somewhere in the background, and people strolled through the dreamy scene hand in hand.
Kylee stepped out of the car slowly, her breath catching.
