𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟯

Dressing For Revenge

AN: Another exes to lovers imagine? Yup, can you tell this is my favourite trope to write? 

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I stare at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes full of determination yet apprehension. My palms sweat as I smooth down the sleek fabric of the black dress I'd chosen after hours of second guessing and frustrations, it hugged my body in all the right places and made me feel pretty, but overall it was a dress designed for revenge. Tonight would be the first time I'd be seeing my ex-husband Leon since the divorce went through. I thought I'd gotten over him, and that I'd reclaimed all the pieces of my shattered heart, but then Leon texted me, asking if I wanted to meet up, and for some reason I agreed, realising he still had some of my love hostage. 

I slip on some heeled boots and applied a bold coloured lipstick, feeling a little more confident in myself, I'd need it for this, but at the same time I couldn't help but wonder if all of this was only for myself? Am I trying to look good for someone else, maybe a certain handsome, dark haired man? I sigh, hating how my mind is overthinking yet again, but the thought of Leon regretting his decision to let me go and begging for me to take him back does make me feel a little empowered. Deep down I think that's what I want, but then again I've got no idea what this dinner is even about, he could be telling me about some woman he's met or bragging about an engagement. 

I peel myself away from the mirror, squaring my shoulders as I take a deep breath to steel myself, then I finally step out of my apartment, glad that it's only a short walk to the restaurant. Leon probably knew this, hence the choice of meeting, ever the silent bodyguard protecting me from afar, despite him having no reason to do so. I soon arrive at the restaurant, noticing how the overall atmosphere is fairly romantic, or maybe that's just me rushing to assumptions. Various couples sit together, sending a pang through me at the lack of romance in my life, but I keep pressing forwards. 

I spot Leon at a table in the far corner, isolated from the rest. He's wearing a button up shirt paired with some dark jeans, looking as handsome as ever. His hair's a little longer, and he's tamed the dark stubble into something that sculpts his jaw better. Butterflies rush to my stomach as I approach him, then finally I sit down, watching as his eyes take me in slowly. His face softens as he smiles, then he passes me the drinks menu. 

"Wow," He breathes out, voice a little deeper than normal, "you look incredible Y/N." I mumble a thanks, grabbing the menu from him if only to give my eyes something else to look at. I pretend to read through the drinks as Leon begins to read the mains, but really I'm awestruck by him. It's been too long since I last saw him and now I'm falling head over heels for him all over again. I swallow thickly, setting the menu down when I've figured out how to break the silence. 

"So, how have you been?" I ask, voice soft as Leon looks up at me. There's a sudden sadness creeping into his eyes, and he doesn't bother to hide it. His lips purse for a second as he gazes out of the window, then he looks back at me. 

He sighs, "Okay," it's a lie and we both know it, "just busy with work and life." He replies, forcing a smile. I see his facade crumbling with every second, and though wrong I'm glad I was right. He's not over me either, which means that there's the tiniest chance for us, and it could start tonight. I forget about our past, and focus on our possible new future. That means being civil, and open to romance again, even after the months of him treating me like a friend rather than a wife. "What about you?" 

I bite my lip, then shrug. "The same, but maybe less busy with life. I got a promotion at work so that's been stealing all of my time, but other than that...nothing." I blink away the unexpected tears and emotion. Leon reaches across the table, taking my hand in his as if it's the most natural thing in the world. "I'm sorry," I thickly say, "I'm just not sure if I can do this. I can't lie to you and say I've moved on, and I can't say that I'm fine. I've missed you so much Leon."

His face drops, the confession hanging between us heavily. He nods, his thumb brushing the top of my hand, and over the finger where my wedding ring used to sit. "Yeah, I know what you mean. There hasn't been a day where I've not thought about you, I still wake up reaching out for you, only to find the bed cold." He mumbles, and in that moment I know we're still in love with each other, and that we always will be. 

Somehow we pull ourselves together, ordering drinks and food. The night wears on as we just talk about what we've missed and the direction of our lives since we split. The familiarity of our easy going talks feels comfortable, like a blanket I'd missed being wrapped in. It's as though this is a normal Friday for us, like when Leon used to take me to all the new food places in town, insisting that "yes the new hotdog stand counts as a date, especially if we feed the pigeons." We laugh together, with Leon cracking some terrible but funny jokes like always, and I make him smile with my overdramatic explanations. 

As we reach the end of our, date? Leon's quick to try and amend things between us. "I don't want to lose you again Y/N," He confesses, eyes staring into mine with raw honesty, "I made a mistake letting you go, and I forgot how to be a good husband, but I promise I'm willing to do whatever it takes to have you back." My lips part in shock, but I always knew this was coming, and I'd hoped for it. Our love couldn't be easily broken. Before I can reply Leon gets out of his chair and knees beside me, drawing the attention of some other diners. "Will you give me another chance?" He asks, pulling out my old wedding ring, the one I handed back to him the day we broke up. I feel tears prick my eyes as I nod, heart overflowing with love. 

"Yes," I choke on a sob, "I'll give you another chance, as long as we can get married again." 

Leon's lips lift as he slips the ring back onto my finger, then he stands up, pulling me up with him as his lips crash to mine, both of us caught in a searing kiss that'll never lose its fire. We'll get married again, and maybe find another house for us to make a home in. This time everything will be perfect, and we'll not stumble anymore.