A Second Chance at Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)

Chapter 2015 “So you're here as my chef now?” Returning her smile, Mark made his way to the kitchen.

The hum of the fridge broke the silence.

“I wanted to share a meal, but since you had other plans, I thought I'd join you here.” Cecilia chuckled. She wasn't exactly a star in the kitchen.

Her fridge was well-stocked though, thanks to diligent house staff.

She heard the rustle of ingredients.

Before she fully realized it, she found herself wrapping her arms around Mark, surprising even him.

whispered softly from behind him,

tried to gauge her sincerity, pondering if she'd use the wine as an

the air between them felt delicate; neither wanted to

their storied history-from a disrupted wedding to his illness, and finally to his return-they hadn't truly found solitude together. It seemed almost poetic

were grown-ups now, understanding that not everything needed to be

murmuring occasional sweet nothings, Mark prepared a modest

crafted. As they sat down, she sipped on the wine he'd brought, her cheeks tinting a rosy

Mark led her to the

intimate encounter