“Oh.” Elle shook off her thoughts of kismet and serendipity. He had read her body language; that was all. “Of course. So you like this place?”
“Yeah. It’s not as good as back home, but it’s close.” He gestured to the full wineglass in front of her place setting. “I ordered you a California rosé.”
“Ah, perfect.” Elle took a large sip of the slightly sweet wine, which in her opinion paired beautifully with Indian cuisine. “How are the samosas?”
“Ah yes, you and your samosas. You’ve always been an appetizer girl.”
Elle liked how playful Troy was being. Their other interactions had been so tense, despite their efforts to keep things friendly. Today, he seemed more at ease, which in turn helped her to relax as well.
“Nobody gets between me and a mozzarella stick.” Elle felt herself flirting and embraced it. After all their years apart, it felt good to be playful with Troy again.
“Or an order of nachos . . . or Wisconsin cheese curds . . . should I go on?” Troy winked and handed Elle her menu.
“Nah, I think we both know my affinity for snack food.”
“Are you still keeping candy at your desk?”
“Of course, but only the fruity stuff. I gave up chocolate. Too fattening.”
Troy shook his head and closed his eyes, chuckling under his breath. “I don’t think you’ve ever had to worry about that.”
“What? My weight?”
“Mm hmm, you’ve always had a great body.” Troy’s eyes roamed her as he spoke, centering on her chest. Elle wondered what had come over him—when did he have this sudden change of heart? He looked at her with appreciation rather than contempt, and it filled her heart with hope.
“Says the man with the permanent six-pack.”
“Not anymore, I’m afraid. Too much pizza, it’s gone to my gut.” Troy smacked his stomach lightly with his palm. Elle rolled her eyes. His chest and abs still looked as firm as they did when they were a couple, at least with his clothes on.
“Sure,” she murmured. “I almost believe that.” Troy was never one to fish for a compliment, so she decided he was just being hard on himself. Seeing as he was a perfectionist like herself, that was the obvious conclusion.
Troy laughed again and finished his glass of scotch. Troy always ordered two fingers of scotch on the rocks before any dinner out, especially Indian food. When he received his first job offer after college, Elle had purchased a bottle of Johnnie Walker Platinum to celebrate. She’d purchased another for herself when the pilot of Follow the Sun first aired. Even though they’d enjoyed scotch together more times than she could count, she didn’t know why she did it, since it was Troy’s drink, not hers. But now guilt swarmed her belly as she remembered that she and Luke opened that bottle. Quickly, she pushed the guilt from her mind. She was determined to enjoy this meal, this evening, this time with Troy.
Their waitress took their order, and they quickly fell back into old patterns. Ordering two dishes to split as well as a large order of samosas to snack on prior to the entrees. The wine was doing its job. As she indulged in the second glass, tingles ran down her arms, and her muscles relaxed. Troy had finished his scotch and both were able to ease back into old banter.
Elle’s teeth pierced the first samosa. Steam escaped the small puffy triangle and she relished the savory taste of peas, potatoes, and lentils.
“Mmm, why have I gone so long without having Indian food?” Elle shook her head in amazement as she savored the flavors in her mouth.
“How long?”
A small chunk of potato dropped to her plate and she hoped Troy hadn’t noticed. “Hmm?”
“How long since you’ve had Indian food?”
Elle froze and looked down at her plate, avoiding eye contact. “A long time.”
“I see.” Troy nodded. “Since Chicago?”
Elle nodded, feeling foolish.
“Seriously?” Troy’s voice dropped an octave.
When Elle first entered the restaurant, she had no idea just how long it’d been. She didn’t realize just how many things were tied to her past with this man, just how stunted she’d allowed the past ten years to be without him. It went beyond her love life, beyond her fear of getting hurt. It was permeating her habits, her tastes, everything. She was