Page 2 of The Restoration Program

Tearing off a piece of pancake, Nicole turned to feed him a bite.

“Don’t get any ideas about thisStepford Wifetreatment becoming a regular thing,” she said. “It’s a special occasion.”

His heart skipped a beat.Wife. “Which is?”

“Your first day at your new job, of course,” Nicole chirped, pouring another pancake with some difficulty as he kept her pinned to the counter. Not that he heard any complaint.

Ryan kissed her shoulder. “It’s my third week, babe.”

“Okay, so… I’m celebrating a little late. Sue me. But we didn’t have the pans unpacked until now, so I was biding my time. Plus, we finally got the last of the moving boxes out of here. So now I can finallybreathe, you know?”

“That is worth celebrating,” Ryan mused, glancing around.

Gratitude swelling in his chest, he squeezed Nicole tighter and reflected on the eighteen months she had endured during his rigorous coursework for his financial planner certification. She had never faltered in her support, even when he’d been a bit of a nightmare leading up to the test. Having passed and acquired an impressive position at a notable firm, he was ready to make it up to her, day by day. He would give her patience meaning, and together, they would make this apartment a home.

Done, he told himself, reaching for his pocket.

No, he argued.Gotta time it right. Gotta make this special.

His hand rerouted to slide up her thigh, under her nightgown. He captivated her with expert strokes and thrusts of his fingers until the smoke alarm went off, forcing them apart.

“You’resocooking me breakfast tomorrow,” Nicole panted.

As he hurried the abandoned pan to the sink to cool, he stole a glimpse of Nicole’s flushed cheeks and her heaving chest. The ash of the neglected batter felt like a very worthwhile trade, indeed.

They managed to salvage the sausages and coffee, at least.

“Why do other couples make morning routines seem so dull?” Nicole asked around her mouthful.

Ryan grinned across at her. “They’re all idiots, I guess.”

“We should almost burn the place to the ground more often.” She giggled, giving that adorable snort he loved.

For a few quiet seconds, he soaked in her smile. It would be criminal to take that sight for granted. In the months after her dad passed, it seemed to take every ounce of her energy to manage a fake perk of her lips. And now, as she caught him staring, her grin brightened readily.

“What?” she asked with her fork halfway in her mouth. “Babe, you’d tell me if my hair was on fire, right?”

He chuckled. “It’s just…you.”

“Me?” She tossed her hair back and lifted her eyebrows with playful conceit. “Oh, I know. But feel free to go on.”

“You know I would, but then we’d be here all morning.”

They finished breakfast and did the dishes together, laughing as they both tried to scrape the burnt remains off the pan.

As they got ready for the day in the bedroom, Ryan discreetly moved the ring to his work pants. Meanwhile, Nicole gathered her clothes with a spring in her step.

“Work’s been that good?” he asked.

She smiled slyly. “Well, yes, but I’m mostly looking forward to lunch. Darlene went on about this amazing Italian place downtown. She surprised me with food yesterday, so I’m gonna return the favor today.”

“Darlene… Is she the one who’s obsessed with cats?”

“That’s Joyce. Keep up. Anyway, I’m glad to have an excuse to see more of the city.”

He perked at an idea. “Hey, with the unpacking out of the way, why don’t we go explore the city this weekend?” He’d ask her then. He’d have time to make it perfect, no more distractions or excuses.

“Sounds like a plan,” Nicole said, struggling to reach the zipper on the back of her blouse. “Help me with this?” She came up to him as he finished buttoning his shirt. She gave her back to him, pushing her hair out of the way.