Page 2 of Return To Love

Which was ridiculous because Dominic was her first and only lover, had seen her give birth to their twins, and had transformed from a reserved, brilliant nerd to a dynamic, generous entrepreneur. Except somewhere along the years, he’d left her behind and forged on alone.

Breathing deeply, she slowed her stride and took in the intimate, rustic charm of the familiar bistro. Twinkling fairy lights draped across exposed beams and window frames, and a cheerful Christmas tree created a magical, festive ambiance. The scent of pine mingled with the aromas of freshly baked bread, rich sauces, and roasted meats.

She was glad Dominic had chosen this place for their reunion. For nearly thirty years, the cozy family-owned bistro has stood resiliently in this corner of Seattle, fighting against gentrification and evolving trends, a testament to quality and time.

Back then, they had to save their pennies for a year to afford an appetizer and a drink here. Now Dom could probably buy the restaurant if he wished. But the magic between them…was it gone forever?

For weeks now, she had been on tenterhooks about seeing him again, about leaning into his body and letting him hold her, about kissing him. About grabbing onto him and never letting go, ever again.

But this summer, being on her own for the first time since she’d been eighteen, had provided her with a clarity she hadn’t known in years. That their marriage had become a stagnant wasteland, mired in resignation and complacency, was on them both.

She would do whatever it took to fix it, to get the Dominic she had once adored back. It had to begin with her telling him how much he had hurt her. Even though it was the last thing she wanted to begin their cozy Christmas eve dinner with.

* * *

“Hey,” she said, reaching him, the word a husky croak.

For what felt like an eternity but couldn’t have been over ten heartbeats, Dom stared at her.

His deep-set gaze swept over her face, over the pulse frantically fluttering at her neck, lingering over her lips.

When he pushed to his feet, light limned the breadth of his shoulders, highlighted by the thick, faded red sweater she recognized. She’d knitted it for him nearly two decades ago when all they could afford were cheap, handmade gifts.

He looked both familiar and... foreign in a way she didn’t understand. But her body instantly responded, pleasure uncoiling deep in her belly.

Had eight months changed him drastically or was she just starved for the sight of him?

Eyes shimmering brightly and skin gleaming, he looked eons better than when she’d left him at the beginning of summer. His features had lost the pinching tightness he’d gained during her recovery and his chest looked like…he had filled out. He fairly radiated good health and happiness.

A jolt of juvenile anger shot through her, battling it out with the stringent awareness of him. Clearly, their separation had worked wonders for him while she had missed him with a desperate ache.

“You look good,” she said sullenly.

“Mona, right?” With nearly a foot differential in their heights, she’d always felt small and dainty around him. And it hit her afresh, that sensation of being engulfed in his heat and the intensity of his gaze. “Your pic on the app doesn’t do you justice. You’re…so much more beautiful in person.” His deep voice reverberated with excitement.

Mona stared at him wordlessly. Had her husband achieved a new personality along with the smoking hot bod?

He stuck his hand out, ignoring her dumbstruck silence. “I’m Dom. I haven’t been on a first date in…oh God, twenty-odd years, I think.” His large hand, with its elegant fingers, hung in the space between them while her mind whirred. He pushed his other hand through his hair, making the wavy strands stand up. “Excuse me if I sound nervous.”

Her desire to touch him won out over the confusion.

She wasn’t just horny, but desperate for his touch.

The hard squeeze of his abrasive fingers sent a needy clench through her lower belly. Also, how had he grown calluses when he worked with computers all day long?

“First date?” she said.

His thumb traced the veins on the inside of her wrist before releasing her hand. This close, she could see the fine lines of tension bracketing his mouth.

“Yep.” His brown eyes held hers. “At the risk of TMI on a first date, I’ve been starting over in…life. This date is one of the new things I’m trying. Your profile said you’re looking for fun and adventure.”

A thrill jolted down her spine as his words sunk in. Along with a hefty dose of surprise.

Her husband excelled at designing new apps and technology, in holding a thousand details together in his computer-like brain, in forecasting markets and trends. Not in impulsive gestures and thrill chasing.

“Yeah, sure. I’m up for…anything,” she replied, staring at him anew. “And I understand the need to start over.”

His eyes shimmered with endless things he didn’t say. “Yeah?”

---