Chapter 46

As Nicholas prepared the food, and throughout the dinner, they conversed animatedly about various subjects and exchanged smiles, glances, and affection, as if they had become a couple again, like in the old days. He surprised her with an Italian straw dessert, and the two reminisced about the times they used to invade Mrs. Colbie's kitchen and make their favorite dessert together, playfully smearing each other with chocolate, teasing that usually ended in embraces that, if witnessed by her family, would have gotten the young ones into trouble.

After dinner, the couple moved to a small room where they enjoyed liqueurs and listened to music, continuing to engage in lively conversation. It was remarkable how, despite all the time they had been apart and the lingering resentment between them, their reconnection was so strong that conversation flowed effortlessly.

Of course, eventually, everyday topics gave way to innuendos, flirting, intimate playfulness, and the two start