Diana lifted a hand in a wave and opened the door to the deli so she could walk around to the patio, which had a thigh-high, black, wrought iron fence around it so no one could wander up and have a seat. When she’d seen Travis, her stomach had twisted excitedly, and the smile on her face was reflex. Seeing him made her smile. You told yourself you wouldn’t make a decision until after the lunch, she chided herself before stepping onto the patio.

She located him quickly when he lifted his hand, and she wound between the tables filled with other patrons to his. He rose as she approached, and her mind screamed, Hug him? Shake his hand? Sit quickly so I don’t have to choose? Anxiety tripped through her, causing her pace to slow, but when she reached him, the decision was removed from her hands.

Travis wrapped his arms around her tightly, squeezing briefly before letting go and pulling her chair out for her. “Good morning.”

“Hi,” she replied, her voice quiet as she told her body to calm itself. The hug had incited her desire for him, something she had tried to tamp down. She shifted in the chair, which made the need worse, so she sat still and smiled, glancing at the pitcher. She pointed to it, pretending nonchalance, and asked, “Mimosas?”

“No better way to start the day,” Travis told her, lifting the pitcher and pouring the sweet liquid into a flute waiting for her. His fingers brushed hers when he handed her the glass, and Diana was positive he’d done it on purpose. He’d always been able to read her and knew when she was horny, which had been incredibly sexy when they’d been together. Now it put her at a disadvantage.

“Thank you,” she said with a small smile, controlling her expression and her eyes—which had always revealed every thought she had—and sipped. “Oh, this is delicious!”

“And it’s not even the best thing they have here,” he replied with a chuckle. He reached to the chair next to him, which was covered by the tablecloth, and lifted a bouquet of flowers. With a smile that touched her heart, he held them out to her.

Diana reached for them, her fight with her expression lost as pure enchantment filled her. “You remembered my favorite flower!”

“And your favorite color,” he added, eyes twinkling. “I asked the waiter to bring water for them after you arrived, so don’t worry about them wilting.”

Diana laughed, shaking her head. “You knew exactly what I was thinking! They’re beautiful, thank you.”

“Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman,” Travis complimented, leaning forward to prop his chin in his palm as he watched her. “You haven’t aged at all.”

A blush crept up her throat and into her cheeks, both from embarrassment and pleasure. “Well,” she shrugged, looking away, “it’s only been five years, you know.”

Travis didn’t reply immediately, so she sipped her mimosa again to cover her bashfulness, realizing that only Travis could make her feel this way. Pleased, she smiled at him as she set her glass down, catching him staring at her.

“I always liked it when you blushed. So cute,” Travis told her.

Their eyes caught and held, and Diana’s heart lurched in her chest as if it wanted to leap out and land in his hands. She opened her mouth to reply but could think of nothing to say and was grateful when the waiter appeared. Much more forward, she thought giddily.

“Hello, and welcome, miss! Here’s a vase I found in the back for your flowers. Wouldn’t want them to fade,” he exclaimed proudly, waving the vase excitedly and nearly sloshing water out. He set it on the table and held out his hands for the bouquet. Smiling widely, she handed them to the man and sent Travis a look. While he artfully arranged the flowers after removing the wrapping, he asked, “Would y’all like to order food now or enjoy your drinks for a bit longer?” The young blonde man with striking blue eyes smiled as he glanced from one to the other.

Travis lifted his eyebrows at Diana, smirking, and she narrowed her eyes before smiling at the waiter. “I haven’t even looked at a menu yet.”

“Would you like to hear our specials?” Diana nodded, and the waiter recited three delicious dishes that could be considered breakfast or lunch. “What do you think?”

“Gosh, I don’t know,” Diana hummed as she picked up the menu. “Can we have a few more minutes?”

“Of course,” he responded happily, as if she’d spouted great news rather than a hesitant question. He twisted the vase towards her with a lift of his eyebrows. “What do you think?”

“Stunning,” she complimented. She reached for the wrapping, but he stopped her.

“I’ll throw this away for you,” he said with a grin. “You can keep the vase.”

“Are you sure?”

He waved his hand at her. “I had to scrub the dust off it. Who knows how long it’s been there, and now it has a use again.”

Diana enjoyed his dramatic idealism, smiling broadly up at him. “Well, thank you, sir.”

“I’m Dustin,” he introduced.

“Diana, and this is Travis,” she replied, shaking his hand before gesturing to Travis.

“Ah, a date,” he announced, holding up his hands as he stepped back. “I’ll leave the two of you to get acquainted.”

“Could you please get another pitcher of mimosas?” Travis asked as he refilled Diana’s glass.

“I’ll be right back with it,” Dustin promised, snickering at Diana when her glass nearly overflowed. “Enjoy!”

Diana sipped her drink, giggling when she hiccupped. “He seems like a really fun guy.”

“I wonder if he’s ever been down that alley,” Travis said, his eyebrows up as he waited for Diana to get his joke. When her confusion didn’t clear, he said, “We just talked about it! The whips and chains alley!”

Diana tipped her head back and laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t make assumptions.”

“I didn’t,” he defended, placing his hand over his heart. “Do you like the mimosa?”

“More than I should,” she told him, wagging a finger at him. “I’m worried you might be trying to get me drunk.”

“Now who’s making assumptions,” he chided playfully. “The waiter will be back soon. Better decide.”

As if his words had conjured Dustin, he appeared about thirty seconds later, just as Diana set her menu down after choosing her meal. After placing the new pitcher of mimosas in front of Travis, he pulled out a pad and pencil and asked for their orders. She chose an omelet with spinach and diced peppers, while Travis had chosen a more lunch-inspired meal. Dustin offered a fruit appetizer plate, and they agreed it sounded delicious. After he’d delivered it, they settled in to chat.

“So, tell me about your business,” Diana prompted, beginning the conversation. “It seems to be going well?”

“Very well,” Travis nodded, his hand lifting to play with the black hair that had slipped over his shoulder. He wore it pulled back, but it had a mind of its own. “Took a lot of work, but now that we’re turning such a large profit, I don’t have to work as much.” Diana felt the surprise flit across her face, and he chuckled. “I know, I know, it’s shocking. But I really have tried to find a better balance between work and play.”

“I’m glad,” she told him, smiling at him. She dreaded the question she saw in his eyes, so she addressed it before he could ask. “I stopped gambling.”

“I wasn’t going to ask,” Travis told her, his face expressionless.

Diana sat back and waved her hand. “You can and have a right to. My boss found out why I had to sell the house, and he insisted I go to therapy and put me on a budget. He really helped me. I owe him a lot.”

“Sounds like it.”

As she lifted her eyes to him, she saw the blank expression dissolve into one of jealousy. She snickered and leaned forward. “You aren’t jealous, are you?” His look of surprise played falsely on his face, and she smirked. “My boss is gay. He’s had the same boyfriend for over a decade.”

Travis pursed his lips as his eyes narrowed. “Gay men have always loved you.”

Diana nodded, smiling. “They do, thank God. Anyway, I haven’t been to a casino in two and a half years, I don’t buy lotto tickets or scratch off tickets, and I don’t even join in the pools at work.”

“I’m really proud of you, Diana,” Travis said. He sighed as he looked into her eyes. “I have to tell you, I’d already decided if you were still struggling with the gambling, our friendship probably wouldn’t happen.”

Friendship, huh? she thought, frowning sadly. Now I know. She wanted his admission to annoy her, but she completely understood how he felt. “I appreciate your honesty. And since we’re sharing, you should know that if you were still working as much as you used to, today would have been our only outing.”

“So you’re saying maybe we can have another outing?” Travis asked lightly, despite the heavy topic. He wiggled his eyebrows, and Diana was charmed as always.

She was a little confused, though. He’d said friendship, but his behavior and question hinted at not just friends. So what does he want? she asked herself, intrigued, deciding she would have to play this little adventure out with him.

“I wouldn’t mind another outing, since we have everything out in the open,” she answered carefully. She wasn’t going to show the extent of her feelings until she was sure of his.

A moment passed between them, their eyes locked and the surrounding noise around them faded. Diana’s heartbeat quickened. She couldn’t hide her feelings from him if she stared at him much longer. He’d read every thought that passed through her mind, her heart, her soul. With a great deal of reluctance, she tore her eyes away from his and looked at her flowers again.

* * *

Travis watched Diana as she jerked her eyes downward, as if she didn’t really want to but had to. During their lengthy stare, he could have sworn he’d seen the love she still felt for him, but she’d steeled herself and looked away before he was sure. He cursed internally, but a smile spread across his face as he watched the blush creep up her neck and fill in her cheeks.

“Blushing again,” he commented. “As lovely as the flowers I gave you.”

Diana’s pink face reddened further as she glanced at the flowers, the table, her glass—anywhere but in his eyes. She lifted her drink and whispered, “Thank you.”

He sat back as Dustin returned with their fruit plate, which was brimming with apple slices, grapes, pineapple chunks, and melon chunks. A small bowl was in the center with some sort of dip. “Thank you, Dustin. Um, what’s this?” he asked, pointing at the dip.

“That is a vanilla yogurt dip. It’s absolutely delicious, especially with the apple slices,” Dustin assured them. He left them with a smile.

Neither of them lifted a hand to reach for the fruit. Travis decided to try something to see her reaction. He grabbed an apple slice and dipped it in the yogurt, spinning it so he didn’t drip any on the table. He held it out for her, and she looked surprised. She lifted a hand to take it from him, but he slipped it out of her reach.

“Open your mouth,” he ordered.

“What?” she asked, her eyes widening and finally meeting his.

“Open your mouth and let me feed you,” he suggested, his voice low as he smiled what he hoped was a seductive grin. With a small smile on her lips, she parted them and leaned forward slightly, letting him slip the apple between her teeth. She bit off the chunk with the dip, and he withdrew the rest to dip it again and eat himself.

“Mmmmm.” She hummed her pleasure, letting her eyes close.

Travis’ chewing stopped as he watched her, the sounds she made as she chewed slowly so much like the moans she used to make when they made love. His cock reacted to her, the feeling of being inside her as fresh in his memory as if they had fucked the day before.

When she opened her eyes, she caught him staring and smiled magnificently at him, clearing her throat after swallowing. “That dip is scrumptious.”

“It is,” he replied, clearing his own throat and lifting his glass for a gulp of mimosa. He decided to change the subject before he embarrassed himself and asked her back to his place for a memory romp. The only thing he could think of was her family. “So, how is your mom?”

Diana’s eyes saddened, and he wondered if he’d asked the wrong question and made a different kind of mistake than moving too quickly into bed with her. She’d never been close with her mother, had in fact hated her in many ways. The addictive personality had been a gift from the woman, who had been addicted to drugs, alcohol, and men Diana’s entire life. As soon as she’d graduated from high school, she’d left home and found a job and an apartment to share with three other women. When he’d met her, she had been so close to the poverty line she often missed meals.

Travis had been enamored by her the moment he saw her. He found out later she was on campus as a scholarship student, and much later, after they’d been dating, about her life and her mother. In the years they’d been together, he had met Diana’s mother, Ellen, only twice and wished he hadn’t both times. She was a horrible person, and Diana had avoided any contact with her.

“I’m sorry,” he began.

Diana smiled sadly. “No, you can ask. You’re pretty much the only person who knows about her besides Alyssa.”

Travis frowned at the mention of Alyssa. Clearly, Diana had no idea the woman had showed up at his apartment, that she was underhanded in her behavior, but Travis didn’t feel revealing her best friend’s indiscretions, for lack of a better word, was appropriate at this juncture.

She shrugged her shoulders and continued her part of the conversation. “She found out I sold the house and tried to get some money out of me. When I told her no, we had a big argument, she threw some of our things, broke them. She tried to steal my jewelry box, which doesn’t have much in it anyway.” She sighed and scrunched up her mouth. “I haven’t seen her since I told her to get the hell out.”

Travis glanced down, guilty he’d made her feel bad. He reached across and took her hand, squeezing it carefully. “I’m sorry. She was always a bad seed.”

“Yes,” she mused, nodding as she glanced at their entwined hands. He watched as she shook off the melancholy and smiled largely. “Let’s talk about something else. Tell me about your partner. He seemed like quite the character.”

Travis chuckled, grateful for the different topic, and said, “Ah, well, a character is the kindest thing you can say about him. He’s a rogue, self-defined, and enjoys the company of every woman he can find.”

“Wow. And that doesn’t interfere with business?” she asked as she slipped another apple into the dip and ate it.

“Oh no,” he replied, smirking as he reached for pineapple, grateful he hadn’t ruined their rapport with his insensitive question. “He loves money more than he loves women. He would never allow a woman to come between him and his money.”

“So not a candidate for marriage, I assume.” Her lips quirked in a half smile, and she lifted her glass again. After setting it down, she closed her eyes briefly, giggling quietly. “Gosh, I think I need a glass of water with my food.”

“Two mimosas and you’re tipsy,” he teased. “You always were a lightweight.”

“Still am. You know…” She leaned forward on her elbow and pointed at him. “The other night when Alyssa and I were out, I drank more water than alcohol because I didn’t want to get wasted.”

“Did you succeed?”

She tilted her head back and forth. “Weeelll…not really.” They shared a laugh as Dustin appeared again.

“Ah, a happy table is a table that tips well,” he teased with a wink for Travis as he eased their plates in front of them. He clapped his hands together, smiling as he looked between them. “May I get you anything else?”

“A water, please,” Diana asked, smiling.

“Two,” Travis told him.

“Of course. Enjoy.” Dustin hurried away and returned almost immediately with their water so he could leave them be.

Rather than eat, Travis had rediscovered his love of watching Diana. Every move was graceful, every facial expression like an angel’s moving through her emotions. She had always fascinated him and had caught him watching her so many times she eventually became accustomed to it. However, in their time apart, she had lost the inoculation.

“Can you please eat and stop staring at me?” Diana lifted her eyes to his, an eyebrow cocked at him.

He chuckled and picked up his fork to eat his pasta dish. “How is it?”

“Oh, my God, so delicious I might order a second one,” Diana commented as she cut into her omelet and ate another bite.

Their conversation was easy and fun, and Travis enjoyed spending the time with her more than he’d enjoyed a date with another woman since her. They laughed and teased, chatted with the waiter, and told each other he deserved a huge tip. When they’d finished their meals and their pitcher of mimosas, refusing another and desserts, Travis felt as if they had never been apart.

When Dustin brought the check, Travis handed him a hundred-dollar bill, leaving almost a thirty percent tip. Travis waved away the question about change, and Dustin gasped, “Well, thank you! I sure hope you two come back regularly!”

“I hope to,” Travis said pointedly, looking at Diana, who smiled at his hint.

She glanced at her watch and gasped. “Good Lord, it’s almost four!” She looked up at him and chortled quietly. “I can’t believe we talked for so long.”

“I can. We always were good at talking,” Travis reminded her. “I’m so glad we reconnected.”

“Me too,” Diana replied softly. “But I do have to go.” She rose and grabbed her purse.

“May I carry the flowers to your car?”

“That would be so helpful, yes, please,” Diana answered, her manner becoming that of a polite stranger, which confused him.

He’d thought they were working up to a future date and decided he’d ask even if she was acting a little strange. She had been nervous at the beginning of the afternoon but had relaxed after a mimosa and good conversation. Now that they were leaving, her anxiety had apparently returned.

He lifted the flowers and carried them, following her out of the restaurant, a plan for asking her for that second date in his mind as she led him to her car, a piece of shit that barely looked like it ran. She unlocked it with the key fob, surprising him that it even worked, and opened the back door.

“I’m going to put the flowers in the back and seat belt them in,” she told him, winking. “I don’t want them to spill. I want them sitting on my desk so I can brag about getting flowers.”

“All girls like to boast when they get flowers. Next time, I’ll have them delivered,” he promised.

“Next time?” she asked before bending over to place the flowers carefully on the seat. As she buckled them, he watched her ass, marveling that she had such a nice one for a thin woman.

“Definitely a next time if you’ll agree to go to dinner with me,” Travis finished, smiling when she straightened quickly, almost hitting her head. “Be careful.”

“You want to take me to dinner?” she asked, skepticism in her voice. “Why?”

“You’ve changed, I’ve changed. We’re different people, Diana, and I think a couple of dates will give us a renewed idea of what we could actually be,” Travis said sincerely.

“You really want to try again?”

“I trust you when you say you’ve kicked the gambling, and I hope you trust me that I’m not working myself to death,” Travis continued, stepping closer after she closed the door. “I’m going to jump out on a limb here, and tell you that I could fall for you again.”

Diana was frozen, watching him, and a single tear slipped down her cheek. She brushed it away and said, “Well, shit. I think I could fall for you, too.”

“Then that’s it,” Travis exclaimed, taking her hands and feeling a little like a romantic movie lead. “Go to dinner with me.”

“When?” she asked, squeezing his hands.

“Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow would be good,” Diana replied quickly as if she feared he might change his mind. “What time?”

“I’ll text you tonight after I make reservations. Will that be all right?”

“Oh, yes, that’ll be great.” Before he could step away, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek softly. “Bye, Travis. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hopped in her car and turned the ignition, leaving quickly as if afraid.

Travis watched her leave, elation and a pang of possible regret filling him. He’d told himself he wouldn’t, but he had rushed into starting a new relationship with her. Elation burgeoned because his feelings, while hidden for a while, hadn’t changed for her. He still loved her, though he wouldn’t say that for some time. Have to protect the ol’ heart, he thought as he turned and headed for his own vehicle. Regret still lingered, though, because of her mentioning of the jewelry box having nothing much in it.

The jewelry box should contain two rings, both worth some money, though not much. Her wedding ring and the sapphire ring. The wedding ring was now useless, just a piece of gold with a few small diamonds. Meaningless. He hoped she’d pawned it if she ever struggled. The sapphire, though, while not worth as much as the wedding ring, was filled with meaning. He’d bought it for her on their last night together, with love that he felt was still in him.

He hoped she still had some of those feelings as well, and the next night would be an even better indication than the lunch had been.

* * *

While Travis was on the phone later that evening to make reservations, a commercial for American Horror Story’s new season popped up on the screen and a thought settled into his mind. The show had started its first season the year he and Diana divorced, but she’d been obsessed with it. He’d bet money she still was. She enjoyed her “stories,” as his grandmother used to call the soap operas she watched every day.

“Murder House” had been the first season, and he’d watched some of the episodes she’d recorded with her, losing his focus on the work he’d brought home and admitting to himself the show was excellently written and terrifying. However, after the divorce, his television watching had ended, and only in the last six months had he discovered Netflix and all it had to offer. He hadn’t started AHS, the abbreviation used most often for the show, but it was on his list, specifically for one reason.

In the season entitled “Coven,” a famous New Orleans debutante, Madame LaLaurie, was reportedly a main character, though her life was greatly exaggerated because, while she was alive in the early 1800s, she somehow survived in the show to modern times. Travis’ curiosity had been piqued, so he’d put the show on his long list of television programs he planned to watch.

He’d bet half his fortune Diana had already watched every season available, and since Madame LaLaurie’s house of horrors was still standing in New Orleans, he thought a tour of the home would be an excellently macabre beginning to his date with Diana. The two of them had shared a love for horror, had gone on ghost tours of plantations while dating, and read and researched historical figures well-known for their cruelties.

A moment of hesitation crossed his mind. What if she had changed and no longer enjoyed the horrors humans had inflicted on others? No, he thought, smiling as he grabbed his computer to get the number and reserve a private tour through the house. She’ll love it, I’m sure of it.