Turned out laying low for a while wasn’t in the cards for me. Tina had found out I was back in Dallas, and that was all she wrote. Our mothers belonged to the same bridge club and saw each other every week, so my mom told Tina’s mom because she was worried I was isolating myself from the world. Truthfully, she was right.

Since I’d left Joe and Atlanta behind, I’d been avoiding everyone. I’d needed some time to process the failure of my marriage, but I felt ready to get back to my life here once again. Even if I had no idea what that might be.

When Tina called a few days ago to invite me to the weekly Love Handles Club get together, I’d decided it was time to get out of the house. She’d explained the club was formed by the guys we’d hung out with in high school. They planned weekly nights out at local watering holes in North Dallas.

Hanging out with them had positively been the best time of my life. I missed them and their friendships. To be honest, I missed Colin the most. I closed my eyes as memories of his touch filled my mind. No one knew me like he did.

If I had a dime for every time I’d thought about him over the last fourteen years, I’d be a millionaire many times over. He was the reason butterflies had set flight in my stomach. My nerves almost had me cancelling, but in the end, I knew I had to see him . . . at least one more time.

Arriving early, I sat outside The Londoner in my car. The others wouldn’t be coming for another thirty minutes, but I hated the thought of a grand entrance and would rather be waiting for everyone as they walked in.

Exiting the car, I strode to the entrance, and pulled open the heavy wooden doors. The place had the feel of a genuine English pub. The walls and ceilings were decorated with English Premiere Football paraphernalia. The smell of fish and chips hung heavy in the air. Empty pints littered every table. Truly authentic.

The pool tables were in the back and a few dining tables stood to the left of where they were situated. They seemed like the perfect place for a large group to sit.

After using the bathroom and checking out my reflection in the mirror, I idly thought about how different I looked. I’d definitely changed since the last time they’d seen me at the ten-year reunion a few years ago. I’d had to beg Joe to let me attend and he’d relented, under one condition: he would come too. I’d agreed to his terms, but he knew how disappointed I was that he demanded to escort me there like a child. His possessive nature was stifling, and I’d wanted one night away from his staring eyes and control. I’d wanted to truly enjoy myself, and the bottom line was he didn’t want me alone in a room with Colin. I think he knew seeing Colin again was the main reason I wanted to go. And he was right.

Once we were at the reunion, I’d spotted Colin and Joe made me leave. I think it was the beginning of the end for me, but it took five years too many for me to come to my senses.

There was so much unfinished business between Colin and I. He’d shattered my heart when I’d realized he’d been unfaithful, but I never listened to him after I found out and regretted how I’d completely shunned him. He called, wrote, and begged relentlessly to see me after I’d left him, but I’d been an inconsolable mess. When I looked back on those days, it was clear Joe had taken advantage of my weakened state.

Joe and I met in English 101 the first day of class. He’d said he’d left his pen back at the dorm, then later confessed he hadn’t needed to really borrow anything, he’d just wanted to meet me. I should’ve seen what a manipulator he was, but he’d used his charm to cover it up.

After that first encounter, he was everywhere I turned in the guise of wanting to be my friend, but he was waiting for Colin and me to breakup and seized the opportunity to wedge himself into my life when I’d arrived back at Baylor crying and inconsolable after fleeing from Colin. He’d pounced on my vulnerability, and I’d had no clue. I’d thought he was the greatest guy in the world. He’d listened to every detail between sobs, helped me forget all the pain, and appeared to be someone who would never do the kind of things Colin had.

How silly I had been. The true reason behind Joe’s compassion hadn’t shown itself until after we were married. I’d been too caught up in the persona he’d put on for me—my knight in shining armor.

He’d known my weaknesses and played me well. He’d wanted someone to control and reside over. Being my husband wasn’t what he’d wanted. He’d wanted to rule over every detail of my life.

Thankfully, Dallas was far away from Joe. When I’d left him a few weeks ago with only the clothes on my back and what little I could fit into a suitcase, I’d decided never to look back or question what I was doing. It was for the best. My future was no longer in Atlanta by Joe’s side.

“Excuse me, ma’am.” A voice pulled me out of my memories. I looked up to see a young woman standing next to the table. “Will there be other people joining you tonight?”

“I think there will be around ten of us. Maybe twelve. I thought this long table would work.”

“It’s the largest one we have.” Her smile was big and bright. “Would you care for anything to drink or eat until the rest of your party arrives?”

Good question. What could I drink tonight? I needed something that would look like a mixed drink. Keep up the appearance that I was indulging with the rest of the gang.

“I’ll take a seltzer water with a lime. And I’ll continue to have those the rest of the evening, if that’s okay?”

“No problem.” She looked at me curiously. “Can I get you anything to eat?”

“No thanks. I’ll just wait until everyone is here.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back with your drink.”

I had a cover now, and it would come in handy. I didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb because I wasn’t drinking and bought myself a little time of blending in at least. Sticking out would come soon enough. Literally.

My server set my drink down in front of me, and I sipped through the stirring straw. It was refreshing and cool. I’d forgotten how dry it was in Dallas this time of year.

There was some movement toward the front of the pub, and I froze instantly at the handsome, older version of my high school sweetheart standing by the front door.

Seeing him was more intense than I’d thought it would be. The heat I felt as he scanned the restaurant and found me, our eyes meeting, nearly made me run to him. The magnetic pull I felt so many years ago when I was anywhere near him still extended between us. Well, at least it did for me.

Dave stood next to him with a funny little smile on his face as he looked from me to Colin. He appeared pleased with what he saw, and I was too. Colin’s face broke into a grin, then he lowered and shook his head.

Hopefully, that was a good sign. My nerves were totally frayed as they started to walk my way, and my heart rate increased with each step they took and my stomach knotted.

Colin’s shirt stretched tight across his broad shoulders, and I wasn’t sure how the two men got away with calling themselves Love Handles since neither had an ounce of flab from what I could see. They looked toned and fit. Especially Colin . . .

“Well, look who it is,” Dave said as he came around the table to give me a big hug. I hugged him back, but stayed attached to the seat of my chair. He quickly took the head spot next to me. One hurdle down. Next up, Colin.

“Great to see you, Dave.” The familiar comfort I’d always experienced around my friends was still there after all these years. It made my heart happy for the first time in months.

I waited for Colin to be seated, and the logical chair for him to take was the one opposite me. But would he? That would mean we’d have to make a lot of eye contact tonight. Who knew? Maybe even our feet or legs would touch on occasion under the table.

Colin didn’t disappoint. He pulled out the chair right across from me and folded his tall frame onto it. I sipped at my drink again. It was definitely getting hotter in here as he stared at me with those deep, blue eyes, the color of bluebonnets. And those long lashes.

God, I remembered looking into his eyes when we’d make love.

I had to stop myself. This train of thought signaled danger, so I began to silently chant, I can do this, I can do this. But as soon as he started to speak, I was a goner. All my resolve melted away.

“Hi, Kirsten.” My name coming from his lips brought back so many old feelings. Good ones.

“Hi, Colin.”