Instincts

Summer Night

Note/ 18+ content

Andy had not seen Laurie since the day they signed divorce papers more than half a year ago.

Laurie smiles awkwardly, knowing full well she shouldn't be there.

Allegra would prefer to just turn around and walk away from this uncomfortable situation, but she is glued to her spot, staring at the woman as if she is a ghost.

To this point, Andy's past had remained there, in the background. Now it is right in front of her, and first the first time Allegra is confronted with the fact that Andy had a whole life before they met. A long life. To her, it is like her life started when she met him.

"Hi... I.." Laurie starts to speak, but what is she suppose to say? She had gotten the plane ticket on impulse last night, unable to stand the thought of going through her son's birthday alone.

Last year it had been hard, but she had Andy. Without him there, she felt like she might do something stupid.

Andy bridges the distance and takes Laurie into a hug: affectionate but loose, nothing the the strong, leave you breathless kind of hugs she knows he is capable of giving.

"When did you arrive?" He asks her.

"Just right now... this is the only address I could find online."

Andy let's go of Laurie and turns to Allie.

"This is my assistant, Allegra. This is my ex-wife Laurie."

Allie snaps of her daze and offers Laurie a big smile, stepping forwards to offer her hand. Laurie also smiles, it's thin and weak, but a smile, and shakes her hand. Allie is surprise about how cold Laurie's hands are, even though it is about 80 degrees and going up.

"A pleasure." Allie says.

"Same here." Laurie answers.

The three of them stand there in uncomfortable silence for a few seconds, and Allie decides it's just better to get the day going.

"I am going to... turn my computer on." She fumbles in her bag to fish the keys out.

Andy takes her hand and puts his on her palm. Allie's heart stops abruptly. His ex-wife is literally one feet away from her, but Allie's mind remembers what it is like to have those hands over her skin, her body recognizes it instantly.

She doesn't dare to breath for the half minute it took her to open the door and quickly escape to the security of the office. Allie assumed they would just walk right behind her, so she didn't close the door, they don't.

"I will walk you to my apartment, I have to see a client in ten minutes." Allie can hear Andy say.

Laurie doesn't answer, only follows him down the street.

"It is a nice town." Laurie comments. "It seems peaceful."

Andy tries his best to not hurry his steps, but he is fighting the urge to get away from her. Of course he is not going to tell her he has known no peace in years besides the small moments of relief he gets when Allegra is near him, when she says something that soothes his soul, the pure bliss that was kissing her.

"It is." Is all he manages to say.

It is a short walk. They go up the stairs and Andy shows her inside.

"I will see what I can do to cut my work day short."

"No, don't do that. I will be fine." She insists.

Andy nods, knowing full well he can't leave her to roam around alone. The first thing to go in their relationship was the trust.

"Call me if you need anything." He says before leaving.