to the apartment

like a war zone of

he multi-million dollar marble island. S

re ever

fridge:

stove

pantry:

fee maker:

tuck to a bottle of Evian, was a larger

ow paper. A laugh bubbled up in h

, peeling the note

s were defiant. Then, her stomach

ion. He took off his suit jacket and draped it over a stool. He rol

ched him. He l

pantry. "System

y empty, remnants of his bachelor days. He f

" he muttered. "

lley grabbed a knife. He smashed the garlic cloves with

he stove. "Bur

ve oil filled the sterile air. It was a wa

e island. She watched his hand

asta in the oil. He

front of her. No garnis

he or

simple, spicy, and perfectly cooked. It was better

standing up, leaning agains

a wiped her mouth. She pulled her

eed

ice cut through t

sed an eyeb

he typed. No wedding. No pu

dn't want the volatility of a public union affecting hi

" he

him in the eye. Sh

to know I married a man who c

ading her personal space. He placed his hands o

ed. "You have a sharp tongue

ep it quiet. But in this h

n't flinch. Sh

e

ang. He pulled it out. The s

the name. Her

ly. It became smooth, charming. "Chloe. Yes

Alessandra, walkin

l. The warmth of the pasta faded,