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

Chapter 62

Richard's

pov.

After the karaoke night, something in me had changed. I hadn't expected to feel this way again, but here we were, picking up where we'd left off all those years ago. Only this time, there were no expectations, no pressure. Just... us.

The next weekend, I decided to take her hiking. It felt like a good idea. We needed some fresh air, something different from our usual city dates.

I figured it'd be nice, simple, maybe a little adventure to keep things interesting. Plus, I'd read somewhere that outdoor activities are supposed to bring people closer together. Not that I was researching anything... okay, maybe I was. Just a little...well...a bit too much.

I met Sarah in front of her place, and she came out dressed for the trail, wearing a smile that made my heart do an odd little flip.

"So," she said, grinning as she threw a small backpack over her shoulder. "You sure you know where we're going?"

I chuckled, shrugging. "Absolutely not. But that's the fun part."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Great. Just don't blame me if we get lost."

The trail was quiet and green, tucked away just on the edge of town. I hadn't been out here before, but the trees looked tall and inviting, and there was a nice path winding up the hillside.

We started walking, Sarah was beside me, her pace easygoing, like she was happy just to be there.

"So, been on a lot of hikes?" she asked, giving me a playful nudge.

I shrugged. "A few. Not exactly Bear Grylls or anything."

She laughed, and I realized just how much I loved hearing that sound. It had been a long time since I'd seen her like this-relaxed, carefree.

And it felt good, just being in her company, no need to say much, just listening to the crunch of leaves underfoot.

Even though our parents were rich, she had always been simple, even in high school and college, she preferred taking the bus than driving her -then- Porsche.

I don't think I would ever forgive myself for not actually seeing her, until it was too late.

We walked a while in comfortable silence, admiring the trees and the quiet of it all. Occasionally, I'd point out some random plant, pretending I knew what I was talking about, and she'd roll her eyes or snicker.

she teased. "You know about plants

raised an eyebrow, playing along. "Of course. This one here

head.

different directions. I glanced around, trying to look confident, even though I had no

lip, squinting at the paths like she had a map in her head.

right path, and after a few minutes, it narrowed down, twisting into

trees grew closer together, the air cooler, and I had a nagging feeling that maybe right wasn't exactly the...

up at me with a grin that was a mix of amusement

trying to keep a

me that look, the one she once gave me when she caught me sneaking a midnight snack

sweets.

of an acquaintance back in high

hiker," she teased, "what's

my head, laughing despite myself. "Um... we

laughed, poking fun at me as we stood there, our "adventure" turning out

we could sit here and wait for a rescue

said, grinning as she looked around, "we could just...

looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

She shrugged, her expression playful. "Why not? Sometimes it's more fun to not know where

point. I'd always been the one to plan everything out, to have a route, a backup plan, and a backup to the

it as it came. It was different, and it made me feel...

way," I said,

I followed. The trees around us were thick, and we had

us, the kind of peaceful silence that you only get out in

of the weirdly-shaped rocks and

little stories about each one, and her laughter was contagious,

up at a

her eyes wide with

you serious?" I asked, half-laughing,

grin. "Why not? Unless you're too grown-up for a

I said, stepping forward and eyeing the branches. "But if

out laughing, crossing her arms.

and hoisting myself up. The tree was sturdy, and before I knew it, I was