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?

her lashes, hiding the

in the passenger seat, cycled through several conversation topics in his

them.

where did you go

finishing his exams, and she had no

tried to find him, but

"In North America."

year ago, right? Thought about working back here

Abner was still that quiet, awkward boy, and she couldn't imagine the dangerous games he played behind

scenes.

"Haven't thought about it."

drove. "Remember when you found out I wanted to be a teacher,

too."

perhaps said too much about the distant past, something he probably didn't recall, she

it. lan mentioned you've got

instantly, and he had a sudden urge to

and Shirley wisely let

immediately exit. He dawdled

phone on

seemed, had inadvertently provided

this day and age, you

immediately concerned. "Let's head back and

car made a

a crossroads,

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

freaked out when I couldn't find you at

saying you were standing in his shop refusing to

to the store, his lips pressed

"Yeah, I remember."

were you thinking, standing there not saying

eyes

eye, noting her hands on the

were both teachers, and she grew up pampered as an only

there was a tshe suffered, it was probably during