Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

Maja couldn't help but chuckle as she hooked her arm through his and they headed for the car.

As long as Abner and Shirley hit it off, her matchmaking wouldn't have been in vain.

Upstairs.

After lan's teasing remark, Abner had straightened up in his seat.

He glanced at the barely touched dishes in front of them and picked up a rib with the nearby cutlery, placing it onto Shirley's plate.

Shirley had planned to linger, but her phone chose that moment to buzz. It was her mother calling.

She pressed the answer button with a hint of resignation in her voice.

"Mom, I really got held up with work at school, I didn't stand him up on purpose. I know, okay, I'll meet him in an hour."

Ending the call, she stood up.

"Abner, how long do you plan to stick around Greenfield? I have a training out of town for the next few days. Next tyou're in

Greenfield, can we grab a meal together?"

Her mother had set her up on a blind date, and she couldn't bail on the arrangement.

Abner also got to his feet. "Letwalk you out."

"I drove here."

"So, can you givea lift?"

Shirley was speechless.

Eventually, they both climbed into the car.

Shirley took the driver's seat, punched in the hotel's address into the GPS, and realized that it was only a mile from her place.

Was he really so close and never thought to call her?

hiding the flicker of

conversation topics

them.

did you go to

his exams, and she had no idea where he

had tried to find him, but that first

"In North America."

ago, right? Thought about working back

Shirley's eyes, Abner was still that quiet, awkward boy, and she couldn't

scenes.

"Haven't thought about it."

lit up Shirley's face as she drove. "Remember when you

too."

much about the distant past, something he probably didn't

lan mentioned you've got someone you fancy. Is it

stiffened instantly, and he had

respond, and Shirley wisely let the

hotel, and Abner didn't immediately exit. He dawdled for three whole

on the

provided him with the

day and age, you were helpless without

head back and look

made a U-turn and

crossroads, Shirley suddenly

this place? It's where I took you for your first birthday with me. I cback from school

to buy you a cake. I freaked out when I couldn't find you at home, worried you'd met with

in his shop

gaze drifting to the store, his lips pressed into

"Yeah, I remember."

not saying a word? They thought you were

chuckled, her eyes crinkling

noting her hands on the steering wheel, bare of any

teachers, and she grew up pampered

it was probably