My Ex-wife, My Destination

Luke’s P. O. V.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

It’s been a week since I told Daisy the reason for our divorce. Everything has been going pretty well since then. She has been behaving normally with me, and she even agreed to leave her job.

It’s not that I don’t want her to work; I just want to take the burden off her shoulders for a while. She has been through so much, and I want to make sure she has the proper time and space she needs to heal.

She has been spending more time with Hope. I’m so glad to see her doing what she truly wants. She cooks meals for her, plays with her, and gives her the attention she could never provide because of work.

As for me, I’ve been trying to make amends in any way I can. I’m giving Daisy complete space and time. The family time we’re spending these days is precious to me.

As Daisy prepares dinner and I help her, she says, “Luke, I have decided something.” I glance at her while chopping the veggies.

Although I hate cooking and the chefs could easily handle dinner, I love doing it with Daisy. In fact, I can do anything with her-washing dishes, cleaning the house, laundry. It all feels right when we’re together.

Hope is watching her favourite cartoon in the room.

“What have you decided?” I ask, curious and slightly anxious about what she is going to say.

She approaches me and stands beside me. “It’s been five years, and I’m tired of hating myself for loving the person you used to be. So let’s have a fresh start, forgetting about the past.”

My heart skips a beat. I stop chopping and stare at her in surprise.

Does she really want a fresh beginning?

Oh, God. I wasn’t expecting this, but it’s exactly what I’ve been hoping for.

Thank you, God!

“That’s what I want.” I pass her a smile, my heart leaping with joy. “A fresh beginning to our love story.”

“Let’s begin by becoming friends first and getting to know each other better.”

Friends, seriously? We can never be friends.

However, whatever she wants, I’m ready for it. She is finally giving me another chance. I was certain that one day I would win her back, but I didn’t see it coming so soon. I can’t believe it.

It feels surreal.

“Okay, let’s start our new journey as friends.” I draw her closer by the waist, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. “But do you really think we can be just friends, Daisy?” I ask, my eyes glinting with mischief.

She removes my hand from her waist. “Touching your friend like this is morally wrong, so keep your hands to yourself next time, Mr. Anderson.”

“What if I don’t keep my hands to myself?” I ask her in a teasing tone, lifting my hand to grasp her waist again.

She responds, “Then I’ll change my decision, and there will be no fresh beginning.”

I immediately pull my hands away, and she smiles, turning her face to the side.

Is she teasing me? I can’t believe it. But I like it.

“You were joking, right?” I raise my brows at her.

“No, I’m absolutely serious. So be a nice friend, and maybe I’ll consider dating you.” She gives me a tight-lipped smile.

“I promise I’ll be a good friend.” I wink at her before continuing my chopping.

***

Next Day

I return home after dropping Hope off at school and see Daisy emerging from the kitchen.

“Get ready. I’m taking you somewhere,” I announce.

She stares at me, startled. “What?”

I repeat, “I’m taking you out.”

“I hope it’s not a date because, as you know, we’re-”

I complete her sentence, “Just friends. I know.” After nodding, I clarify, “It’s not a date. I’m just taking my friend out.”

“Where?”

“It’s a surprise. Go get ready now,” I gesture towards the room.

She nods and walks off to the room.

***

Daisy gasps and her eyes widen in astonishment as I halt the car in front of her favourite cafe, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of New York City.

I open the door on her side, and as she steps out, she asks me, “How did you know that this is my favourite place, Luke?”

“Eva told me,” I reply, shutting the car door.

“You know I’ve been wanting to visit this place for a long time, but I never got the time,” she says, her grey eyes sparkling with delight. “Thank you, Luke.”

A smile spreads across my face at seeing her genuinely happy.

“Let’s go then,” I say, holding my hand out to her.

“Yes.” She replies excitedly, grasping my hand as I lead her towards the cafe.

“You already know how much I love raspberry cheesecake. But the cheesecake at this place is my absolute favourite. There’s something magical about how they make it,” she says, her voice filled with enthusiasm as we enter the cosy cafe. “My mouth is watering already. I can’t wait to have it.”

As we take our seats by the window, Daisy’s gaze drifts around the cafe, taking in the cosy ambience and the beautiful decor. The soft glow of the fairy lights overhead enhances the enchanting atmosphere.

I’m glad I brought her here because the sparkle in her eyes shows how much she longed to visit this place.

And I’m still in disbelief that Daisy is giving me another chance and forgiving me for my past mistakes.

When the waiter arrives to take our order, we request our drinks and a slice of raspberry cheesecake.

“If you had told me we were coming here, I would have brought my diary,” she begins. “This place is so peaceful. It would be perfect for writing.”

I smile at her enthusiasm. “Maybe next time you can bring your diary and spend some time writing here.”

“That sounds like a plan,” she nods, grinning. “It’s been a while since I’ve written anything.”

The waiter returns with our orders, and as Daisy sees the slice of raspberry cheesecake, her face lights up with delight.

“Oh, it looks heavenly,” she exclaims, eagerly picking up her fork.

I watch her take the first bite, a contented smile spreading across my face at seeing her pleasure.

Seeing Daisy happy again after so long fills me with joy and peace. It’s especially fulfilling to know that I’m the one bringing happiness into her life.

“Is it as good as you remembered?” I ask, my eyes fixed on her. She looks beautiful with minimal makeup. Her long blonde hair falls gracefully over her shoulders, and her eyes sparkle with joy.

“It’s even better,” she replies, closing her eyes in bliss as she savours the taste. “Can we order another slice?”

“Of course. We can order as many as you want.” I signal the waiter to bring another slice of raspberry cheesecake, and Daisy’s eyes light up with excitement as her lips curve up.

Daisy’s joy is all that matters to me now, and I’ll move heaven and earth to keep her smiling.

She continues to savour her cheesecake, and I admire her, resting my elbow on the table with my chin in my hand. My body burns with desire as she licks her lips, closing her eyes, unaware of the effect she’s having on me.

God! I’m dying to taste them.

As she continues licking her lips, arousing me, I utter, “Stop doing that.”

Hearing my words, she looks at me, startled. “What? I’m just eating,” she shrugs.

“You’re licking your lips.”

“I eat like this. Aren’t you hungry?” She raises her brows at me.

“I want to devour something else.” I glance at her lips, licking mine, my desire to taste her intensifying with each passing second.

A red hue appears on her cheeks. “It’s shameful to ogle at your friend like this, Mr. Anderson. Control yourself.” She warns me in a stern tone.

“What do you think about friends with benefits?” I suggest, giving her a teasing smile.

“Friends with benefits? It can complicate things, you know,” she plays along, trying not to smile.

I lean back, smirking. “Oh, but complications can be quite thrilling, don’t you think?”

She chuckles, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Perhaps. But what happens when one catches feelings?”

I’m already enjoying our new beginning, leaving behind our past. Teasing each other and spending time together feels good and refreshing.

“I’m sure we’ll both catch feelings, Daisy,” I whisper, moving closer to her and tucking her hair behind her ear.

Her heartbeat quickens with our proximity, and she breathes heavily, locking her intense gaze with mine. Her warm breath strokes my face, sending shivers down my spine.

Her eyes glint with mischief as she whispers against my lips, “Then let’s find out who catches feelings first.”

She captures my lips after drawing me closer by my shirt collars, startling me.