Page 62 of The Restoration Program

Nicole broke away from Ryan, twisting in his hand to peek up at Darlene as she rose to her feet and gathered up her things. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him rub at the tiny smudges of red their kiss had transferred.

“You don’t have to go yet,” Nicole called.

“Yeah, it’s only six.” Ryan tacked on—though his plea was decidedly less eager. “ You should stay for dinner. It’s the least we can do.”

“You don’t owe me anything. Besides… I don’t want to stand in the way of you two getting a room.” Looking smug, she headed for the door. “Same time Tuesday?”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you out,” Ryan said.

“No need. I know where the door is.”

Nicole and Ryan waited like impatient teenagers until the door clicked shut. Alone, he let his hold on her become more intimate. Her pride had so desperately needed this.

“So… Should we?” he asked.

“Should we what?”

“Get a room.”

The longing in her belly swelled with the promise of fruition. “Hell yes.”

Day SIXTY-TWO

“Make a wish.”

The birthday candles reflected in Ryan’s eyes, but he was looking ather.

“I wish I could freeze time,” he said. “Remember this moment exactly how it is right now.”

“Amateur,” she said, popping a hand onto her hip. “Now it won’t come true.”

“Maybe my other wishes will. You look…incredible. I thought you threw that dress away.”

Nicole’s cheeks glowed from the praise, the way Ryan adoringly looked over the sequined gown hugging her body.

“I decided I was just waiting for a special occasion. Now hurry up, I specifically ordered a cakewithoutcandle wax all over it.”

He leaned forward and blew out the candles. As the smoke cleared, he kissed her on the cheek. Nicole touched his chin and pulled him into a deeper caress. She broke away just as abruptly, excitedly pressing the living room light switch on the phone app and running to grab the parcel behind the cake.

“Babe, I can…” Ryan reached half-heartedly to help her, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Nicole dragged the package over to him like it was a hefty sandbag. She flopped to a seat on his arm, motioning for him to tear into it.

“I can’t believe you did all this,” he said.

Her jaw dropped. “Youcan’t? That’s insulting.”

He chuckled. “You’re right. I forgot who I’m dealing with.”

She swayed from the movement as he gingerly unwrapped the present. Although Darlene had tried to help, Nicole had insisted on taping it up on her own. The result was less than perfect, but she was proud nonetheless.

The moment he looked at the shirt waiting under the wrapping paper, she knew she had picked the perfect shade of green to make his blue eyes pop. He touched the fabric contemplatively.

“It’s… different,” he said.

“All you wear is white and blue!”

“And gray sometimes.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Thank you. I love it.”

Nicole scooted off his arm when he reached for the knife to cut into the cake. After serving himself a generous piece, he started to work on cutting a tiny one for her. By the time he finished with the delicate task, she was already leaning over the side of his plate and helping herself to his slice.