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I look toward our spot. She’s there on one of the armchairs facing the fireplace. In her hand is a tall mug of coffee and a side stool, with a tray beside her, containing various snacks. Our eyes meet, I muster a smile and raise my hand in a wave. She nods and averts her gaze.
What was I expecting? That she jumps up at the sight of me?
Well, maybe a part of me expected a bit of warmth and familiarity. However, she sits up straight as I approach her.
“Declan,” she mumbles, gives me a stiff nod, and adjusts in the chair. “The coffee tastes different; I think they’ve changed the supplier.”
“So, I shouldn’t order a cup?”
She chuckles lightly.
“If I’m going to finish this, I need a partner, so go on, order a cup.”
“So, you’re asking me to get one just to suffer with you?”
She shrugs.
“It’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”
We share a smile and for the briefest second, I have a glimpse of the woman that was once my best friend… the woman I vowed in front of people to love forever. She’s still as stunning as she was then, she hasn’t aged at all.
Someone clears their throat behind us, breaking up the moment. It’s the waiter. I place my order and then relax back in the comfortable chair crossing my legs.
“Eli has been talking nonstop about err, your fiancée in the last few weeks. He sent me pictures of his paintings last night. I couldn’t believe he’s already so good at it.”
“Felicity has been teaching him. They are spending more time together and I’m always left alone to sulk,” I say with a wide grin.
“You look different. There’s this glint in your eyes that was only there when we first got married.”
I shift forward and clasp my hands over my kneecap.
“Felicity makes me happy. She’s just so pure… so warm. Even though we work together, seeing her throughout the day, I always look forward to seeing her when we get home. She’s always on my mind; like she’s been embedded there. Hell, it’s crazy how wonderful it is to love someone without restraint.”
For a second I forgot I’m talking to my ex-wife. I raise my head slowly, expecting to see malice in her eyes. I know we were married, but honestly, what I feel for Felicity is different. Deeper.
Nonetheless, Amelia smiles and nods approvingly.
“That’s some lovesick man right there. How bad is the fluttering in your belly when you talk about her?”
I furrow my brows and cock my head.
“Butterflies?”
She nods and runs her thumb across the rim of the white mug.
“Every time I think about Jake or talk about him with the girls, I always feel this excitement… this profound fulfillment from within me. It’s surreal and I can’t get enough of him,” she gushes. Her gaze roams over my face, then her smile deepens. “Hearing you talk about her with such blatant affection in your tone is beautiful, Declan.”
“I guess we’re lucky, yes?”
Her face flushes.
“You can say that. Jake is a gift.”
“Are you thinking of tying the knot anytime soon?”
She shakes her head.
“No. How about you?”
