Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 61

Sarah's

POV

After the fair, things between Richard and me felt... different. We were still trying to figure out whatever this was, but I wasn't carrying that old weight anymore.

It was like, for the first time, I was actually seeing the side of him I'd always hoped to see. There was no tension, no carefulness, just us being us. And it felt good.

A few days later, he showed up at my door with a grin, holding up a small flier for a cooking class.

"Cooking class?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Since when do you cook?"

He shrugged, feigning casualness, though I could tell he was nervous. "I figured, if I'm going to make it up to you, I should at least learn to make something better than instant ramen."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, Chef Richard. Let's see what you've got."

The cooking class was in this cozy, little kitchen downtown, where a cheerful instructor greeted us with aprons and a kitchen full of ingredients.

The place smelled amazing-garlic, herbs, and fresh bread. I looked over at Richard, who was carefully tying his apron, eyes darting around like he was trying to figure out what exactly he'd signed up for. "Ready?" I teased, nudging him as I grabbed a knife.

He gave me a confident smirk. "I've got this. Just watch."

We started on a simple pasta dish, chopping vegetables and stirring sauces, the instructor giving gentle reminders about not burning the garlic or overcooking the pasta.

But Richard, of course, was determined to go big or go home.

"Here, let me add a little more oil," he said, pouring what seemed like half the bottle into the pan.

"Uh, I think that's enough," I warned, trying not to laugh as he raised an eyebrow, still so sure he was right.

"Trust me," he replied, swirling the oil around like a pro. "I've got this."

they started to sizzle... then pop,

the flames as if they'd

for long. "Nice

head, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah. I just wanted

instructor quickly put out the small flame, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Just a little less oil

working through the recipe, and he stuck closer to the instructions this time. But every so often, I'd catch him sneaking glances at me, and I

pasta dish, and as we sat

on your debut as a chef?" I asked,

"Alright, fine. Maybe I'm not ready for

alright. I mean,

long time. "Good to know I didn't poison you," he replied, his tone playful. "Thanks for trusting me with

like two old friends rather than two people

a quiet thrill that maybe,

of the class, still laughing over his "master chef" attempt, Richard

the back of his neck. "You mentioned it once, and

even remembered. "Karaoke? Really? You'd

a drink or two

think he'd actually go through with it, but sure enough, an hour later, we were at a

the stage, and a small crowd was gathered, cheering

ahead," I teased, nudging him toward the stage. "Show me

no way. You

little pop tune, laughing as I

your turn," I said, my

around the room as if he was about to face a firing squad. "Fine," he muttered, standing

stifled a laugh, trying to look serious.

rolled his eyes but made his way up to the stage, flipping through the song list. Then, with a grin that told me he was trying to look

lost it. He was completely out of rhythm, swaying awkwardly, and his voice was... well, let's just say he

it. Halfway through,