"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Laurel asked her mother as she slid on her coat.

"Oh no, you two go ahead out and enjoy yourselves. Me and your dad are going to go see Addison and the kids." Her mother replied.

"Well we will try not to be out too late," Laurel promised.

"You have a key, besides your father and I won't get home until late. Go enjoy dinner out with your husband."

"Okay," Laurel forced a smile.

She didn't want to go out with Ivan, she didn't want to have to try and keep up this charade while she ate dinner.

Ivan came own the stairs, smiling at her as he finished pushing his hair back where he wanted it. She could smell his cologne from where she stood.

"Are you ready?" He asked with a beaming smile.

"As I'm going to be."

He drove her into town and to the fanciest restaurant he could find, as he parked in the parking lot she openly gaped at the building.

"The carriage house? Ivan..."

"You have wanted to eat here since we were kids...now's your chance."

He was right for as long as she could remember she had wanted to eat in the fancy restaurant but as kids and newlyweds, they could never afford it.

"Ivan...this...this is too expensive," She said.

"No, it's not. Not anymore."

He got out of the car first while she was still staring up at the massive brick building and at the couples in fancy clothes going inside.

Ivan opened her door, reaching inside to take her arm and physically tug her from her seat.

"Come on, let me buy you a nice dinner. It's the least I can do," He insisted.

She followed him into the restaurant and they followed a small redhead to their table, white linen table clothes, dark purple cloth napkins and candles in the middle of the roundtable.

"It's beautiful in here, "Laurel said softly.

"Yeah, it is."

They sat at the table and were handed thick leather menus, Laurel opened hers while Ivan ordered some wine. When their hostess hurried off she lowered her menu.

"This place is expensive."

"Laurel, relax. I can afford it."

She bit her lip and then turned her attention back to the menu, there was nothing that cost less than thirty dollars on the menu. True she was beyond rich on her own and she knew Ivan was exceptionally well off at this point she had never gotten used to having money.

She didn't have time to protest again before their waitress appeared, long brown curls tied back with a black ribbon in a white button-up shirt, black tie, and black skirt.

"Hello, I'm Lily and I'll be your server today. Can I start anyone with an appetizer?"

Laurel barely glanced up at her but then Ivan spoke.

"Lily? Lily Marit?"

"Yes, do I know you?" The waitress asked.

Laurel glanced up and then also recognized the woman, Lily. head cheerleader at their old high school who once delighted herself by stealing Ivans affections.

Before Laurel and Ivan began dating when they both protested they were just friends Lily had been his on and off again companion.

"It's me, Ivan." He stood.

"Ivan! Oh my goodness!" She embraced him in a hug and Laurel turned her attention to the menu again.

"And is this your wife?" Lily asked turning to Laurel.

"Well...actually..." He trailed off.

Laurel looked up at him her eyes meeting his, what would he say? He hesitated a minute then gave a nod, his eyes not leaving Laurel.

"Yes, this is my wife. Laurel."

"Laurel! It's so good to see you again."

Laurel managed to force a smile but that was all, she never liked Lily and the feeling hadn't changed.

"What are you two doing back in town?" Lily asked.

"Laurels cousin is getting married," Ivan supplied.

"Oh that's great, I can't believe you're back. How long are you staying?"

"Not long," Laurel answered.

"Well, we should all get together and have lunch or something and catch up."

"Yeah, maybe," Ivan replied as he eased into his seat.

Laurel glanced at him but clenched her jaw and didn't say a word, they weren't technically still married and if he wanted to go out with Lily then Laurel had no business stopping him.

"What can I get you guys?" She asked with a beaming smile.

"I just want the Ceaser chicken salad," Laurel said.

"And the new york strip, rare," Ivan said looking at Laurel.

"Okay, and for you Ivan?"

"I'll do the lobster and new york strip combo."

"Okay, great I'll be right back." Taking their menus Lily hurried away from the table.

"Why did you tell her that?" Laurel asked.

"What?"

"That I'm your wife, I'm not...not anymore."

"Why does it matter?"

"Because...I'm not."

"Laurel, just forget it, okay?"

She shook her head but a waiter appeared with their wine, pouring them each a glass and preventing her from asking any more questions.

Through out dinner Lily continued to make conversation with Ivan while Laurel tried her best to ignore the flirting. Finally they got their check and left, Ivan driving back to her parents empty house.

"Are you okay?" He asked as she unlocked the door.

"I'm fine."

"You've been quiet ever since dinner."

"I'm fine," She repeated.

They let themselves into the house and she went into the dark living room, not turning on any lights and collapsing onto the couch. Ivan sat down next to her.

"Come on, fess up. What's wrong?"'

"Nothing, I just...I got to see what your life would be like if you weren't pretending to be married to me."

"You mean with Lily?"

"Lily or any other girl you chose."

"Laurel I date plenty, I can take time off to be here with you."

"Ivan...you really liked Lily in school and you have a second chance and you had to tell her I'm your wife."

"Lily was always just a distraction because I couldn't have you."

"Ivan..."

"Laurel, I picked you. All those years ago I picked you and if I had to choose again now...I would still pick you."

She was refusing to look at him choosing instead to stare into the dark living room. He reached out his fingers tipping under her chin and turning her face to force her to look at him. Her blue eyes met his in the darkness, her own full of unshed tears.

Maybe it was all the time they'd spent together, maybe it was the alcohol from dinner but suddenly he was leaning towards her.

His lips met hers and he could feel her lower lip tremble, her body begining to shake.

When she didn't fight him or try to resist he slid closer, pulling her body against his and deepenign the kiss. He could blame this on her being sad, he could blame the booze, blame their time together but he couldn't blame their act because they were home alone and he wasn't stopping.

She let out a small whimpering noise, her hands sliding up his chest to toy with the buttons at his neck. He leaned forward, one arm going to the couch cushions so he could lower her to the couch and pin her beneath him.

His hands becoming frenzied as they wandered over her body, over the curves that were still burned into his memory. Her body arched off the couch into his touch, begging for more.

One hand slid under her dress hem and up her legs and over her thigh, her own hands working on his buttons.

"We're home!" the sound of the door snapped them from their frenzied encounter.

He froze pulling away slightly but not moving his hand or climbing off of her. His eyes met hers.

"Laurel..."

He took in her messy blonde hair, her kiss swollen lips, her flushed cheeks, her dress pushed up over her hips and her legs around his waist.

"Laurel, Ivan?" Her mother called.

"Coming mom!" Laurel called.

Carefully he moved his hand from between her thighs and sitting up. His hands went to the buttons on his shirt trying to quickly fix them as Laurel shoved her skirt down and bolted from the couch.

His hands were shaking as he stood and quickly excused himself for a cold shower.