Boy, the years had been good to her. She didn’t look a day over twenty-five. The nineteen-year-old girl whose heart I’d broken hid behind a more mature and beautiful face, but her smile appeared just the same to me: bright and contagious.

Her hair was the same. She’d always worn it long, so I was surprised when I spotted her at our ten-year reunion with her hair above the shoulders. The familiar long strands were back now, and it was sexy. My fingers itched to run through them.

After we’d broken up, no one had compared to her. Those pink-colored nipples of hers . . .

I’d loved taking them into my hands and feeling them against my lips. My flashbacks of Kirsten were vivid and powerful. Like it’d been yesterday. I felt myself starting to get hard. Damn, the things we did together. We were pretty adventurous for being so young, especially that last year of high school.

Could she tell what I was thinking? Could she sense all the lust-filled memories pumping through me? She had known me so well at one time. There was no need trying to hide my feelings from her now. I was done playing games. I was a grown man and she was here in this moment with me—a moment I’d dreamed about for years.

All afternoon, I’d told myself I would do what I could to get to know her again and pray she’d let me back into her world. I should have attempted to make some sort of conversation with her instead of checking her out like a piece of prime rib, but I continued to gawk like a pervert.

Not having had sex for a year hadn’t helped either. I needed to rein myself in, so I tried to concentrate on what Dave was saying instead of Kirsten laughing and biting her lips.

“So, you’ve been back in Dallas for a couple weeks now?” Dave leaned back in his chair as he spoke.

“I’ve been here almost a month.” Her eyes were on Dave and occasionally switched to look at me.

“Hey you two. Excuse me a second.” Dave rose out of his seat, and I was tempted to move right into it. Closer to Kirsten. “I’m going to get a tab set up for the group. I’ll be right back.”

“Sounds good,” I replied.

“Did a server come to the table already?” Dave asked, eyeing Kirsten’s drink.

“Yes, the blond girl over there.” Kirsten motioned to the bar. “She took my drink order, so I’m assuming she’s our server.”

“All right, you two try to behave yourselves.” Dave started to walk off, but stopped. “What do you want, Colin?”

“I’ll take a Heineken. Thanks.”

“I’ll be right back.” Dave winked at Kirsten. He knew exactly what he was doing. Leaving us alone. By ourselves. And I was thankful. It gave Kirsten and me a few minutes to talk before the Love Handles crowd arrived.

“So . . .” Great conversation starter.

“So . . .” she replied, and we both cracked up, easing the tension between us.

“It’s so good to see you, Kirsten.” I laid it out there. Might as well go for broke.

“It’s good to see you, too.” Her gaze pierced through me.

“You look wonderful, by the way.” I took a quick breath before continuing. “More beautiful now than when we were in high school.”

A splash of pink spread across her cheeks. My choice of words weren’t idle; everything I said was true. She was beautiful, inside and out, and it only reinforced how much of an idiot I’d been all those years ago.

How could I have turned my back on such a perfect woman? She was the whole package. One any man would love to have as his.

“You’re making me blush,” she replied. “I’ve changed a lot lately, but thanks for the sweet words.”

“They aren’t just words, Kirsten.” I became serious. “I’ve missed you. I’ve wondered so many times how you were. If you were happy.”

Maybe I was coming on too strong. She’d just left Atlanta, so I assumed things with her husband were on the fritz, but dammit, I couldn’t pull back if I tried. I’d done that years ago and a royal jerk had filled the void I’d left behind. It ended up being the biggest regret of my life. This was my all or nothing, my chance to reach out to her, and I wasn’t going to waste it.

“I’ve had the same thoughts about you over the years.” Her voice was just above a whisper. “I hope you’ve been good.”

I scanned her face and saw complete sincerity. Did that mean she missed me too?

My heart soared, hoping we were on the same page, and that when we looked back at our time together, maybe she could see past the reason for our breakup.

How do you tell someone the last decade of your life was filled with so many regrets you couldn’t count them all? The biggest one being married to the wrong person when you wished you’d married your first love instead. She needed to hear the truth from me. No matter how girlie it sounded, I needed to speak from my heart.

“My life has been crazy over the last ten years. I made a big mistake getting married right after graduating college, but I’ve finally put that all behind me, and I’m looking for a clean slate.”

I didn’t want to bring up my divorce yet, so I decided to speak of my years with Natalie vaguely. That conversation needed to happen soon, but I preferred it being when we were truly alone.

“I understand that all too well.” A sorrowful look spilled from her eyes as she gazed at me. They reflected a life laced with sadness, and I knew I was majorly to blame. Had I not cheated on her, I doubt she would’ve married Joe. She would have been mine.

“Maybe we should think of new beginnings. What do you say?”

“Sounds nice.” A forced smile spread across her face. “Actually, it sounds perfect.”

Her smile faded as she looked down at her drink. Something deep within me ached to know what caused this beautiful woman so much heartache.

“I have to say, I was surprised when Dave told me you were going to be here tonight.” Her face turned up to me, her eyes once again peering into mine. “Are you here for a long visit or something more permanent?”

“I’ve moved back for now.” I didn’t want to push her for more information, but I wanted to know everything about her, even if it wasn’t my business. What we had together was a lifetime ago. Two kids in love. Now, I was a stranger.

“Well, welcome back to Dallas,” I said with the biggest grin my face could muster.

“Thanks. I appreciate that.” She mirrored my smile, and this time, it didn’t seem as forced. “It feels good to be back.”

As we sat grinning at each other, Dave arrived with my beer. Thank God.

“Here you go, Colin.” I took the beer and had to stop myself from downing it in one long pull.

“Thanks. I hope our server can keep up with me tonight.” Dave laughed, but Kirsten looked concerned. “I’m teasing, Kirsten. It’s just been an intense day. Having you here has made it better, though.”

“Yeah, Colin has had a day.” Hitting me on the back, Dave took a seat next to me, and I prayed he kept his big mouth shut about my divorce finalizing today. I didn’t want to focus on it. I also didn’t want her thinking I wasn’t over Natalie when nothing could have been further from the truth.

“Sorry to hear you’ve had a bad day, Colin.” Kirsten spoke so sweetly, her words wrapped around me like a hug.

“Thanks. My day’s definitely improved since I walked in here.” I lifted the bottle of Heineken. “Here’s to old friends and unexpected reunions.”

We clinked our drinks together, and I never took my eyes off Kirsten as we both sipped from our glasses. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something was troubling her. Maybe it was being with our old group of friends, or maybe it was me.

“Have you seen any of the old gang since you arrived back?”

“No one,” she answered. “I’ve been laying low. But when Tina called and invited me tonight, I figured it was time to reconnect with my roots here.” She looked at me intently. “And the people who helped me love Dallas so much.”

Overwhelming old feelings swamped me when she looked at me like that. And what she said . . . was she feeling the same?

“You missed us, didn’t you?” Dave teased. “I know we’ve all missed you. Some more than others.”

Damn him. Dave had to go there. But what he said was true. We all missed her. Tina had blamed me for Kirsten distancing herself from everyone, but everyone knew it had been her husband keeping her under lock and key. Other than a few phone calls with Tina, no one had any luck connecting with her.

But here she was . . . in front of me . . . her asshole husband back in Atlanta. She was a sight for sore eyes.

“Some more than others.” Her eyes darted to me, then back to Dave.

“I’m pretty sure you missed me the most, right?” We all groaned at Dave’s narcissism.

“You always made me laugh. Something I’d almost forgotten how to do.” Her mood shifted suddenly. The sadness resurfaced.

“Well, having you laugh tonight will be our main goal.” Dave placed his hand on her shoulder. “This gang of misfits knows how to have a good time. Right, Colin?”

“We do.” I nodded. “I think that’s why we’re still hanging out together on Thursday nights. It’s like our church. Keeps us all going no matter what life throws our way.”

“I can see that.” Kirsten’s smile was back. “I’m glad I came. When will everyone else get here? Tina said she might be running a bit late.”

“Tina being late is a given,” I explained, looking at Dave for back up. “Usually, everyone is here by seven thirty. Tina by eight.”

“The guys get here on time for the most part. When the girls join us, the evening starts a little later,” Dave said. He looked toward the door and waved. “Looks like we have company.”

I turned around to see Matthew and Bob heading our way, their eyes lighting up in surprise when they saw Kirsten seated with us. I was the only guy Dave had told about her coming tonight, and I loved seeing their faces. Shocked didn’t quite describe their reaction. They appeared almost as stunned as I had been. Matthew took quicker strides, almost jogging toward the table.

I nodded my head at Matthew and smiled. Kirsten had returned.