Page 65 of My Ex's Best Friend

My staff has set up a cozy table at the bottom of a large sycamore tree with candlelight and a table.

“Oh, my God, this is incredible.”

“The breakfast the other day gave me the idea.”

She kisses me on the cheek as I lead her to the table.

"You know, Jake?

I regret all the time we had to be apart, and that was all because of me. What could have been if I had just let you explain that night?”

"You thought I had broken your trust. I should've fought harder to make you listen. I should've given you the chance to understand."

Kiera sighs, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her wine glass. "We were both young and impulsive. I regret not letting you explain, but at the same time, I wonder if we would be where we are now if things had played out differently."

"Maybe. Our history shapes us in ways we don’t understand,” I say. “I know you’re worried about our lost time, but we don’t have to look at it that way. We aren’t the same people we were five years ago. We both had a lot of growing up to do, and here we are now.”

I reach for her hand, a silent reassurance. "We have time, Kiera. Let's take it one step at a time. This doesn’t end here in Paris. I promise you that."

She ducks her head, blushing.

“What?”

“Nothing, I just—it’s all so overwhelming.”

I squeeze her hand. “It doesn’t have to be. Let’s just start with getting to know each other again.”

“I’m Kiera,” she says, holding out her hand.

I chuckle.

She nudges me. “Come on.”

“Okay, fine, I’m Jacob Bennett. We met during lunch.”

She smiles. “I remember.

So, tell me about yourself, Jake.”

“You know everything about me.” I shrug.

Kiera blushes. “Not everything. I’ve missed out on a lot. Fill me in.”

“I focused on getting my degree and building my career. Had a stint in Paris, traveled a bit, and collected recommendations for setting up my client base, you know, the usual stuff. I’m incredibly grateful for my grandpa’s connections, which helped me land on my feet quickly."

“Okay, enough of that. Give me the juicy stuff.” She leans forward.

“The juicy stuff?”

“What about relationships?”

"I had a college girlfriend," I admit. "Things were good until, well, she cheated on me. That was a tough one."

Kiera's expression softens. "I'm sorry to hear that, Jake.

It’s not like I’ve had much luck in relationships either.”

“Bad breakup?”

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