A Meal with family

“Thank you for dropping us home,” Anne said softly. Before moving to Italy, she and Nicholas had decided she would leave the Hart family house. She had found a new home, just a half-hour drive away, where she and Leon now lived. Near their new house, she was opening a café. The café was almost ready, and she would be inaugurating it in a week.

It was late in the evening when they arrived home. Anne stood at the door, bathed in the warm glow of the light behind her, while Nicholas stood in the dimness of the driveway.

Nicholas nodded. As Anne turned to go inside, he softly called her name.

“Anne?” he said, his whisper brushing against her skin like a gentle touch.

Her heart raced, and she replied, “Yes?”

Nicholas took a step closer, and Anne felt her heart pounding harder in her chest. As he closed the distance, they stood just inches apart. Without warning, he dipped his head and gave her a quick, tender kiss on the lips.

“Welcome home,” he said, smiling warmly.

Anne blinked in surpris