She’s thoughtful for a second, then she smiles, and I know she’s thinking about us. We’ve been working to save what we’ve built, and we’re definitely worth the fight.
She rolls her eyes with a playful sigh. “Fine. I’ll keep going, I guess.”
“Nah, fuck that. I need you to say that shit like you mean it. I need to hear that you’redefinitelygonna keep going.”
She laughs and tosses her head back. “Ugh! I’ll keep going.”
“You can do better than that.”
“I’ll keep going!” she yells with a smile. “You have my word!”
More of her laughter echoes through the kitchen, and I’m completely obsessed with everything about this woman. That feeling hasn’t dulled even a little over the years. If anything, it’s deepened.
Her gaze lingers on mine, and I can’t look away from her either. Being together, talking to her… I’ve missed this.
So much.
My gaze lowers as my emotions shift, rearranging themselves into a new realization.
“I messed up at the exact moment you needed me most. I can’t apologize enough for that.”
Her expression softens. There’s no anger or judgment behind her eyes, and that means a lot. I’m in this strange space where, although I reached adulthood several years ago, I feel like I’m only now growing into who I’m meant to be. I thought I had it all figured out, but the challenges we’ve faced exposed that I’ve been lying to myself. Now, it’s like I’m having growing pains, relearning myself—who I’m meant to be, who my wife needs me to be. And while I’ve made my share of mistakes, I’m more committed now than ever to getting this right.
For her.
For myself.
We finish dinner, and I’m grateful for the light conversation. This date has only confirmed what I already knew. That Blue is the breath of fresh air I needed.
“Why don’t you go relax in the living room while I straighten up.”
She tilts her head. “I can help.”
I’m already shaking my head before she finishes. “Absolutely not. I want you to put your feet up and wait for me. That’s your only job.”
The corner of her mouth lifts with a smile. “Yes, sir.”
I’m way too focused when she stands from her seat and turns to leave. I forget to breathe watching her smooth the fabric down her perfect frame, and I swear on my soul…
That dress—and her assinthat dress—is fucking killing me.
I clear the table and load the dishwasher, but decide to wait to wipe everything down because I want to get back to Blue. I find her on the couch like I asked, and she peers up when my shadow blocks the light of the candle I placed on the glass shelf near the archway.
I step closer, staring at her crossed legs nearly stretching the length of the couch
“Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all,” she answers with a smile.
Her brow arches when I lift her legs where her ankles are crossed, then slide underneath them, resting her feet across my lap. She’s warm and smells just as good as I remember. I stroke her soft skin with my thumb, tracing a vein as I think.
“Thank you for coming tonight. You didn’t have to.”
“Maybe not,” she says. “But… I wanted to.”
She’s doing that thing again, where she’s staring a little longer than she should if we’re going to keep the night PG. But then her head settles back, breaking eye contact.
“You didn’t ask how it was when I ran into Seth,” she says quietly. “No way you didn’t see the pics.”
