Love Lessons by Cassie Mint

Ten

Ellis

Eight Years Later

I never lock my home office door.

For one thing, I have nothing to hide. Teaching college-level English is rewarding, but not exactly top-secret.

For another, my wife likes to visit. Likes to slip inside when I’m working and distract me. Today’s outfit is so reminiscent, it makes my chest pinch: a soft white sweater and cherry red lipstick.

“What are you doing?” Avery murmurs, strolling around my desk. Trailing her fingertips over the wood, her ring sparkling up at me. Triumph surges in my gut, the same as every time I see that ring. The proof that she’s mine, that it’s my job to make her happy.

“Nice hair,” I tell her, ignoring her question. She’s scraped it back into French braids. She knows I like those.

Avery smirks, coming to a stop opposite the desk. She drums her fingers on the polished wood, raising her eyebrows and glancing at the floorboards. There’s a cushion ready and waiting for her knees.

A thump rattles the office door. We both jump, startled from the spell we’d begun to weave, then Avery laughs and crosses to the doorway.

“Daddy’s working,” she whispers to the two giggling boys.

“But you came in,” one of them points out, voice high and reedy.

“He has a point,” I call.

Avery ignores me, flipping me off behind her back. I grin at the ceiling, leaning back in my chair.

Things have changed. But not the most important things. My wife is still my world, and now our sons have joined us. Made our family bigger and brighter.

I nudge the cushion beneath the desk with my toe, smile rueful.

Maybe next time.

* * *

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