Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

Before he could even process what was happening, he found himself speeding up, quickly catching up to her.

Athena was at the restaurant tonight for Doris's birthday dinner. Doris was her only real friend-missing this was not an option.

Besides, Athena had been holed up at home for days, obsessively staring at old photos, feeling as though the world was closing in on her.

But she had made a promise to Kerwin-a promise to keep living, no matter how

hard it got.

It was agony.

She reached for the door to the private dining room, but before she could enter, someone grabbed her wrist. When she turned around, she found Tyler standing there.

Tyler looked like he'd lost weight, his eyes hazy with the unmistakable blur of alcohol.

"It really is you..."

Athena didn't have any resentment toward him. Tyler wanted her body; she wanted the emotional comfort he provided. No one owed anyone anything.

"Yeah, Tyler, you-" she started, but before she could finish, Tyler leaned in and kissed her. He cradled her face, pressing her back against the wall, kissing her everywhere like a needy puppy.

Her back stung from the impact, his lips burning against hers, then trailing to her cheeks, her neck.

Worried someone might pass by, Athena quickly pushed him away. "You-"

But before she could finish, Tyler pulled her into the restroom next door.

"Athena, I missed you," he murmured.

He held her, settling her on the edge of the sink. Hands braced on either side of her, his eyes unfocused from the alcohol, but with a flicker of clarity.

walk in at any

pushed him away gently. "Look, whatever you want to

wait? Doris is inside

go in

pulled her hands to his cheeks, nuzzling her palms like

instantly, nodding. "Alright. But you can't

I promise, I won't cause trouble

was something almost sweet about him when he was drunk-strangely

his hand and led him

smile

Tyler. He'd been seen with plenty of women before,

at Athena changed instantly.

what was

there was no way she'd spill the details of Athena and

side. Anywhere Tyler

he was uncharacteristically quiet, leaning against Athena's shoulder,

he wanted some

lift those dazed eyes, plant a sloppy kiss on

was always leaning in too close to her ear. Only Athena

had

of him before Tyler was always the charming playboy, never the docile boyfriend. Tonight, he was

too well-behaved.

to s

stayed curled up against

reached up and gently felt

you running a fever recently? How are you feeling

bothered to ask?" Tyler shot back, obviously still bitter. But Athena seemed softer now, and he didn't want to dredge up the

was to hold onto her tonight-maybe they could go home together after. er be missed

had been so long since