The Ex Vows

by Jessica Joyce

Time is a miracle. It shows you what you had, and sometimes it brings it back to you. Different. Better.

A pair of arms slide around my waist and I close my eyes, my body melting under the heat of the most devoted touch. “There she is,” Eli murmurs against my skin. “And by she, I mean my wife.”

Eli tightens his hold on me, resting his chin on the crown of my head. I trace my finger over the arch of his wedding band as we go quiet, soaking it all in together.

For a girl who struggled so mightily to know the shape and feeling of home, it’s a revelation to have so many places—and people—to call it.

I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to seeing how obviously he belongs to me. How eager he is to show it to me every day.

“Maybe I am, Georgia Mora.” “Oh my god,” I laugh. “My name rhymes. I didn’t even think about that.” “I like it,” he says, towing me into the circle of his arms. Now his smile is brilliant, the happiest I’ve ever seen it.