Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"Thank you for saving me the other night." I smile at Zayan, who looks at me with a confused face.

I was afraid for my life, and now I realize my biggest fear is dying and leaving my young son. God, that wrecked me more than the cold did.

I was lucky to have been found early, and after lan did the scans, he discharged me, and I'm back at work.

"You had some concussion, but I'm glad it was temporary and all is good now. Don't stress and I'll also move you from ER for a while untill you're better." He had said.

I would have argued but that would have been selfish. So I reluctantly agreed.

"Saving you from what?" Zayan pulls me back.

I laugh.

Typical Zayan.

"I know you don't like it when I say thank you but truly. I appreciate you."

"Athena. You're confusing me. What are you talking about?" He asks as the waiter places my plate of steak, which Zayan picks up and cuts into small pieces before giving it back to me.

"Are you serious right now?" I ask, setting my fork down.

Zayan's brows furrow, his hands resting on the edge of the table like he's trying to solve a puzzle.

"What happened?" He asks.

My heart skips a beat, and I just stare at him, trying to read his face, trying to piece together the truth.

If not him... then who?

I search my mind, but everything from that night is still a blur. Cold rain, the impact, and the feeling of hands around me. Strong, warm hands. Someone blowing my hair. And a voice. A voice that now that I think about it doesn't sound like Zayan's.

But I shake my head and force a smile.

"It's nothing," I say, brushing it off like it doesn't matter.

Zayan watches me, his gaze studying me but quiet. Like he knows I'm hiding something. Like he wants to push, but won't.

says slowly. "But if something did happen, you can talk to me. You know that,

a tight smile.

return to our food

a piece of steak, chew, then swallow. But I can feel Zayan's eyes on

Again. And again.

and catch him staring, then

his water glass

and

He's still watching me.

set my fork down with a clink and narrow my eyes at

What is

He blinks. "What?"

head. If you have something to say,

slow, nervous smile.

I raise an eyebrow.

table. "I've been meaning to say this for a while now, but I wasn't sure

beat because I know that tone, and I know that

He gives a soft, dry laugh. "I know you have a

I smile. "I do trust you, and of course you're not just some friend I call when

joke. His eyes

forward, grabbing my hand and placing it in the middle

More than I've let on. I

than just

in your life. I'm risking it all and crossing the line you've

My breath catches.

want to be someone you can count on, not just when things fall apart, but when they're good, too. I want to

man."

s

down at my plate, feeling

as hell. Kind. Loyal and safe. Maybe it's time I stopped chasing ghosts and gave

don't know if I'm ready," I admit quietly. "I've been through a

because I'm not expecting perfection. I just want

his face. There's no pressure in his eyes, no

maybe a part of me

"Okay," I whisper. "Yes."

smile lights