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."

he dropped the veggies into the pan, they started to sizzle... then pop, then-fwoosh-a small flame shot up, and

he yelped, staring at the flames as if they'd

back a laugh, but I couldn't hide it for long. "Nice going, Chef Ramsey," I snickered. "Next time, try not to burn the place

his head, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah. I

"Just a little less oil next time," she said, and Richard's cheeks turned a light shade

to the instructions this time. But every so often, I'd catch him sneaking glances at me, and I couldn't help

somehow managed to plate a decent-looking pasta

on your debut as a chef?" I

Maybe I'm not ready for my own cooking

I laughed, nudging his shoulder. "But you did alright. I mean, I didn't die from food poisoning, so that's

this warm, easy laugh that made my chest feel lighter than it had in a long time. "Good to know I didn't poison you," he replied, his tone playful. "Thanks for trusting me with your

felt natural, like two old friends rather than

my chest, a quiet thrill that maybe, just

we walked out of the class, still laughing over his "master chef" attempt, Richard cleared his throat, looking

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

surprised he even remembered. "Karaoke? Really? You'd actually do

need a drink or two first, but...

go through with it, but sure enough, an hour later, we were at a

small crowd was gathered,

ahead," I teased, nudging him toward the stage. "Show me what you've

shook his head, laughing. "Oh, no way. You first. I need to see how

mic and flipping through the song list. Settling on something easy, I sang a little pop tune, laughing as I got the crowd to sing along. When I came back

turn," I said, my

the room as if he was about to face a firing squad.

to look

a grin that told me he was trying to look cool, he selected

swaying awkwardly, and his voice was... well, let's just say he

it his all, and the crowd was loving it. Halfway through, he even tried a little dance move, and the whole place erupted