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

Chapter 105

Richard

pov.

The coffee shop was cozy, tucked away just off the main street with the warm scent of roasted beans drifting out to greet me.

I was up early, trying to grab us both a caffeine fix before the day kicked off. Sarah was still half-asleep when I left her, wrapped in the sheets, mumbling for "Just a few more minutes."

I smiled at the memory as I joined the line, feeling that rare kind of peace you get when you're completely in the moment.

"Hey, isn't it just beautiful here?" a voice beside me said.

I turned, expecting someone local or another early riser tourist. A woman with a bright smile stood next to me, arms folded comfortably as if she'd just casually dropped by. "Yeah, it really is," I replied, glancing back out the window to the waves rolling in just beyond the palm trees. "It's like something out of a painting."

She laughed lightly, brushing a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "That's a good way to put it. I'm Isabelle, by the way. Came here on a bit of a whim," she said, reaching out to shake my hand. Her handshake was light and confident. "Richard," I replied, shaking her hand briefly. "I get it. Sometimes you just have to get away, right?"

"Exactly! Sometimes you need a reset," she said, nodding in agreement. "Especially in a place like this. Are you here alone?"

I shook my head, smiling as I thought of Sarah waiting back at the hotel. "No, I'm here with my wife. We both needed a break, honestly."

"That's nice. Nothing like a getaway to reconnect," she said, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "How long are you staying?"

"Just a week," I replied, stepping forward in line as we chatted. "Seems short now that we're here, though."

Isabelle nodded, looking thoughtful. "Well, maybe it'll be just what you both need. I know I could stay forever."

She gave a small laugh, glancing out the window. "Anyway, I didn't mean to keep you from your coffee. Just wanted to say hi."

By then, it was my turn, so I ordered two coffees, paid, and left, figuring I'd never see her

***

was finally

said, holding out her cup like a

taking it from me. She took a long sip, eyes closing as she let out a sigh. "You know me

of the job description," I

what's the plan for today?" she asked, looking over at me with that eager gleam in her

was thinking we could head to that beach we passed yesterday, maybe do some snorkeling, grab lunch from one of those food trucks on the way back. Keep it laid-back." She smiled, nodding.

before noon, the sun high

down the beach where the crowd had thinned out. I

of us saw something too good to miss. After we'd worn ourselves out, we sat on the beach,

head on my shoulder. "You know, just us,

too," I said, wrapping an arm around her. "Feels like we left the whole world back

contented silence

do you know

a familiar face not too far from us. Isabelle, the woman from the coffee shop, was

actually, I met her this morning. Just a quick chat at the coffee shop. She seemed nice

but she shrugged it off, looking back at the ocean. "She had been glancing toward here,

though something in Sarah's tone made me glance back at Isabelle

decided to pack up and head for lunch. We were walking up the beach when Isabelle passed by, catching sight

replied, and I noticed Sarah

said, introducing them. "Isabelle, this is my

You two look like you're

are," Sarah said,

She turned to me. "Hey, maybe you could give me some pointers, Richard? You seem to know your