Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

After delivering his awkward attempt at humor, Abner was at a loss for words. In Shirley's presence, he always seemed to lose his

knack for conversation.

Shirley had intended to pass him sfood, as she had in the past, but a sudden realization stopped her cold; things between

them had changed too much to go back to the way they once were.

Silence descended upon the room.

Maja felt that lan's kindness wouldn't take long to repay. She touched her belly subconsciously, drawing lan's attention away from

Abner's failed joke. His concern was immediate.

"You okay?"

"Just a bit off. I need sfresh air," she said.

"Lethelp you."

Together, they stood and left the private dining room.

Their departure only heightened the awkwardness between Shirley and Abner.

He poured her another cup of tea, while she observed the long fingers that gracefully handled the teacup.

The first tShirley had seen Abner, he was lanky and pale, clearly malnourished. It had taken a year of care to nurse him back to

health.

did you take off without a word after final exams? Did my parents give you a hard time?"

"No."

this time, his fingers slowly gripping the

in his

into a reluctant smile as she reached out to ruffle his hair. Only after the gesture did she realize she was

man. Embarrassed, she quickly

were harsh back then, said spretty

you always seemed so busy. Whenever I called, it was your

You were always hard to

a teenager, Abner had been fiercely independent. Shirley had practically had to teach him everything by hand when he

from his rural

him by messing up his hair. Just as she was about to apologize, he lowered

had a stubborn streak,

was about to ask what he

stood there, spotting Abner leaning in,

lice or something?" lan's brow furrowed in

hand, previously dangling at his side, clenched into a fist,

grabbed his forgotten

haven't settled the bill. Maja's feeling a bit off,

there, Abner would've hurled

What

over a waiter. He had the eerie

him.

for air, watched him