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.

I forget? I think we turned

going," he said, chuckling, though his

"If I remember right, I was the one who found

his head. "Alright, maybe you were. But it

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

anything and everything-the silly things we'd

every story made me feel lighter, and closer to him. There was an ease to it, something I hadn't felt in a long

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

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

his gaze, it was

a little. I wasn't sure what was happening between us, but I felt a pull, something undeniable,

reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against

again, and suddenly, the air

about... how things were before. How I was before. I'm sorry, Sarah. I know

reached out, covering his hand with mine. "I can see that, Richard.

gaze that

and before I could second-guess myself, I

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 fingers brushing my

wasn't sure where we were headed, but in this moment, I knew I wanted to see where this would

searching mine. "Just... stay here

small nod, I leaned into him, letting the

***

the warmth between us growing, something deep and magnetic, tugging me closer to Richard with each heartbeat. He reached out, his hand cupping my

like this-with this kind of