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.

grinned, nodding. "How could I forget? I think we turned around so

I was going," he said, chuckling, though

did," I teased, nudging his shoulder. "If I remember right, I was the one who found

maybe you were. But

paused. It had been a good adventure, one of many moments lately where I felt like I was seeing

and everything-the silly things we'd

me feel lighter, and closer to him. There was

thought I knew completely, only to find there was

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 his skin, the

his gaze, it was soft but also mixed

picking up a little. I wasn't sure what was happening between us, but I felt a

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

the air between us

"I've thought a lot about... how things were before. How I was before. I'm sorry, Sarah. I know I wasn't always there

can see that,

a softness in his gaze that made my heart

I could second-guess myself,

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,

where we were headed, but in

searching mine. "Just... stay here

felt my heart flutter at his words, and with a small nod, I leaned into him,

***

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

the last time he'd looked at me like this-with this kind