I open the door and standing there is Ayaz. He looks good—his hair has been cut into a short professional style, and all the weariness that haunted him when we first met is gone. He’s carrying a bouquet of flowers. “Ayaz!” I exclaim, surprised and flustered. “How great to see you!”
His smile is very small and he says nothing for a moment. The faintest flush touches his temples, and my skin ripples in reaction. “You look wonderful.”
“Thanks! So do you. Come in, come in!”
“This must be your son.”
“Augustus. We call him Gus.” I bounce him a little on my hip. “Can you say hi, Gus?”
He waves cheerfully. “Hi!”
“Good!” I laugh.
Cosmo swings his entire backside, trying not to break training and slurp at him, but eager to greet him. Ayaz notices and squats down, scrubbing Cosmo’s ears and chest. “Haven’t you grown into a fine dog?”
Cosmo lets go of a soft whine of happiness.
“Norah!” I call. “Come say hi.”
She swings around the corner and slides in her socks. “Ayaz! How great to see you!” She kisses his cheek and takes the flowers and reaches for Gus. “You guys go sit down. I’ll take everything. You want some tea?”
“Sure.” He pauses, looking a little nonplussed.
It makes me feel shy. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” He smooths a hand down the placket of his shirt and stands up straight. “It has been one year to the day since we agreed to take some time and heal before we . . .” He shakes his head, struggling for words a bit. “Try again.”
I smile, my heart opening like a sunrise. I hear “Zorba’s Dance.” “A year to the day, exactly?”
“To the day.” His smile is slightly larger. “Would you like to go to dinner with me?”
“Oh yes,” I say, and take his hand.
He leans in and kisses my cheek. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“Me too.”
We walk to the patio and sit down.
And begin again.