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

Chapter 63

Sarah's

POV

The air outside had turned crisp and white. By the time we reached Richard's place, the snow was falling in soft, heavy flakes.

I loved that about the snow-the way it made the world feel like it was holding its breath, giving you a moment to pause, to savor.

Richard unlocked the door, and we stepped inside, brushing snow from our coats. His place felt different tonight-warm, inviting, with the glow of a low light casting soft shadows.

I felt myself relaxing as I looked around, taking in the little touches he'd added since I'd last seen it.

There were throw blankets on the couch, a few more framed photos on the shelves. It felt... homey, almost as if he'd made it ready for someone.

"You want tea or something warmer?" he asked, shrugging off his coat and giving me a half-smile.

"Tea sounds perfect," I said, letting my own coat fall onto the back of the couch as I wandered around, looking at the new photos he'd added.

There were pictures of him and his friends, one with his parents, another of him as a kid, laughing with a gap-toothed grin. I couldn't help but smile, feeling like I was glimpsing parts of him I hadn't seen before.

He came over with two steaming mugs, handing one to me, then nodding toward the couch. "You look like you could use a warm-up," he said, his tone gentle, playful.

I followed him over, sinking into the soft cushions as he sat beside me, close enough that our knees brushed.

The snow outside fell heavier now, coating the window with a frosty glaze. It made the whole room feel cozy, and I could feel the quiet between us, warm and comfortable. "So, remember that hike where we both got lost?" he asked, his eyes bright with amusement.

could I forget? I think we turned

going," he said, chuckling, though his

remember right, I was the one

laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, maybe you were. But it was a good adventure, don't you

I felt like I was seeing a new side of him-one

tea, talking about anything and everything-the silly things we'd done

lighter, and closer to him. There was an ease to it, something I hadn't felt in a

thought I knew completely, only to find there was so much more beneath

I set my empty mug on the table and stretched out a little, letting myself relax against the couch. Richard shifted, moving a bit closer. His arm brushed mine, lingering there, and I could feel the warmth of

looked over at him, and our eyes met. There was something in his gaze, it was soft but also mixed with something else-something deeper,

my heart picking up a little. I wasn't sure what was happening between

against my cheek. I felt my breath catch, his touch sending a

again, and suddenly, the air between us felt charged, thick

his voice barely above a whisper, "I've thought a lot about... how things were before. How I was

out, covering his hand with mine. "I can

at me, a softness in his gaze that made my heart flutter. "I want

before I could second-guess myself, I leaned in,

we were both testing the waters. But then his hand moved to my waist, pulling me a little closer, and I felt myself melt into him, losing track of everything else. He tasted like mint and charlotte, and his touch was soft, careful, like he was afraid of breaking the moment. My fingers found their way to his hair, tangling there as the kiss deepened, growing warmer, more certain. When we finally pulled back, we were breathless and a little dazed, I felt a soft blush creep over my cheeks. His forehead rested against mine, and he gave a soft chuckle, his

sure where we were headed, but in this moment, I knew I wanted to

searching mine. "Just... stay

small nod, I leaned into him, letting the warmth of

***

falling, quiet and soft, covering everything in a thick blanket of white. I could feel the warmth between us growing, something deep and magnetic, tugging me closer to Richard with each heartbeat. He reached out, his

this-with this kind of softness, like I was