…

Misty nervously swirled the wine around in her glass, an action she'd seen Rudy do multiple times and talk about the different earthy smells. But all she could smell was alcohol and she needed it. Although that wasn't the rules here, you didn't actually drink anything. Nobody got drunk at a wine tasting, that would be uncouth.

No, you spat it out into various pitchers around the room. Because apparently that was classier than taking a sip.

She hadn't really questioned the idea of wine tasting when Rudy had first suggested it, they liked to drink and they liked a variety. Why wouldn't they enjoy it? But now she was here Misty realised this was the first step in planning her wedding. Her wedding that legally had no business happening.

Since the engagement she was no closer to confessing to Rudy about her previous marriage that was technically still current. And she's made no attempts to contact Ash for a divorce. So, it was a bust all around really.

Despite May's nudging and suggestions there was no trip to Florida booked, if she had to do this it was all going to be done by email or phone. If only she had any contact details for Ash.

"What do you think about this wine?" Rudy asked her, bringing her back to the moment.

"It's nice." She said, trying to get some enthusiasm but if she was being honest this was torture. Flaunting all this drink and not letting her indulge.

"It would go well with fish." He sniffed his drink, as if confirming yes this was the red for fish. It all tasted the same to Misty.

"Are we having fish?" She frowned. Had she missed a conversation where they had decided all their courses?

"Nope, but it's always good to have options." Rudy flashed a smile before grabbing another wine to sample.

Planning a wedding hadn't seemed nearly as stressful the first time around, there had been no wine choices to make. A bar had been all the needed, with a carb loaded buffet to soak up the alcohol.

"Do we have to have a sit-down meal?" Misty hissed, not wanting the other cultured people to overhear them.

"Well, what else do you suggest we do?" He chuckled, as if the sheer idea of anything but a three-course meal was outrageous.

"What about afternoon tea?" She suggested.

"Afternoon tea?" He repeated slowly, like the words were foreign to him.

"Yeah, like finger food. Sandwiches, cakes, macaroons. We could have little cake stands with watching china tea sets. It will be adorable! And prosecco for toasts." She smiled, already picturing the set up in her head.

"Misty, sweetie, we're not some teenagers getting married. It's got to be a little more sophisticated than that." He shook his head, Misty had been to teenagers' weddings and believe me they didn't have afternoon tea. "Can you really expect my family to sit down and be fed finger food?"

Misty frowned, she wasn't really sure what the great issue was. It wasn't as if she was asking them chicken wings in a barn. She thought the idea of afternoon tea would be quite quaint, clearly, she was wrong.

This was obviously no longer their wedding and had become Rudy's wedding. She could hardly begrudge him though, she'd been through this all before so it had lost some of its sparkle.

"I guess not." She admitted defeat, downing her wine. "I need some air."

Misty placed her glass back on the table before weaving through the crowds and out the doors. She took a deep gulp before resting her arms on the balcony, it was freezing out here and she hated it. Bring back those warm summer evenings when storms crackled in the air, she missed a time when she didn't always see her own breath if she so much as stepped outside.

"Thanks." She said softly as Rudy placed his jacket over her shivering shoulders.

"No problem." He shrugged, standing beside her with a deep sigh that they both watched float into the sky. "Am I doing something wrong?"

"What?" She asked, spinning to look at him.

"Whenever we do any sort of wedding planning you get really distant. And I'm at a complete lose because you've never been distant before so I don't know what to say that will help." Rudy admitted, nervously chewing on his nail – a habit Misty knew he despised. "Do you still want to marry me?"

"Of course, I do!" Misty practically shouted, she wasn't going to let a previous grievance ruin her marriage to a perfect man.

"Then what's wrong?" He asked. "I thought girls were supposed to love wedding planning."

"It's not that, it's just…" She sighed, maybe it was time to just bite the bullet. "I have a lot of things from my past that I kept running from and now, with this wedding, it's made me realise I've got to face them."

"Do you mean your family back in Florida?" Rudy suggested, and Misty decided to jump on that train of thought.

It was easier than admitting the whole messy truth of Ash, she wasn't exactly the prize Rudy thought with an estranged husband. Besides, who would still want to marry someone when they found out they had a penchant for running out on people.

"I just feel like I can't get married until I tie up all these loose ends." She shrugged.

"I understand that." Rudy nodded, Misty could practically see the relief in his eyes as he realised it wasn't because of him she had cold feet. "You want your family at the wedding."

"Right." She said slowly. They'd only be invited if they could be paid to keep quiet about Ash. "I need to go back to Florida."

Just saying the words out loud made her stomach drop, it had been eight years since she'd last been there. Would anyone even want to see her again? Did all her friends and family even still live there? She hadn't exactly kept in contact so there was no guarantee they'd be there. And if they even were how much would have changed? She doubted they'd all just lived in a bubble waiting for her arrival.

"I can't get the time off work." Rudy sighed, running his finger through his hair as if leaving Misty to face her family alone was the worst thing he could do. It made Misty feel even guiltier for the lies she was telling.

"It's probably for the best." She reassured with a gentle hand on his wrist. "It won't be pretty."

"I doubt that." He laughed, leaning over to press a kiss on her head. "Who could ever be mad at you?"

"You'd be surprised." She rolled her eyes. "Florida here I come."

…

Misty groaned as she scrolled through a variety of travel sites looking for flights. All the cheap ones were for months away and all the decent companies were booked up for the next few weeks, she had enough going on at the moment without the added pressure of a plane that you feared wouldn't even get off the ground.

"That's not work." May said, causing Misty to jump in her seat as her friend appeared at her shoulder.

"Observant as ever." Misty muttered, grabbing the cookie from her friend's hand.

"Hey!" She protested, but made no effort to take it back. "Still didn't answer my question."

"Because you never asked one." She smirked, knowing it always wound May up when she was being pedantic.

"Why are you looking at cheap flights? If you're planning the honeymoon, I suggest pushing the boat out a little." May teased, walking over to her desk.

"It's not for the honeymoon." She swallowed. "I'm going to Florida."

Misty cringed at the sound of a coffee dropping, no doubt spilling all over May's keyboard. But if her scream was anything to go by, she really didn't care.

"We're going to Florida?!"

"No, I said I'm going to Florida." Misty rolled her eyes, she really should have just booked this holiday at home and called in sick for a week. It would have been easier than having to battle May.

"What?" She pouted, Misty refusing to look at her lest she fall for the puppy dog eyes. "But I've never even been to Florida!"

"This is not a holiday May, I'm literally going to get a divorce and then coming home." She sighed, grabbing her purse.

"You can't do this alone!"

"Why not?" She frowned.

"Because what if it goes wrong and this Ash guy is pissed, ends up killing you and burying you in his back garden. Nobody would even know where you were!" May rambled. "Or worse you fall back in love with each other and run away together."

"How is that worse than me getting killed?" She blanched.

"You would prefer to do that to Rudy?" She gasped.

"Over dying? Yes, I think I would." Misty laughed.

"Misty, sometimes I'm not sure I know you." She narrowed her eyes.

Misty shook her head in disbelief before turning back to her computer. Her mouse hovered over the check out button. Maybe May was right, not about the murder or running away but it might be nice to have some sort of back up. Their relationship was volatile at times and it really could turn nasty when they got their claws out, having May there would at least force them both to be on their best behaviour.

"So, can I come?" May broke the silence.

"Fine." Misty groaned, throwing her arms up in the air. "Come along but don't blame me when you're bitterly disappointed."

"Please, this is the closest to a real-life soap opera I'm ever going to get!" She squealed, pushing Misty's wheelie chair out the way to add her own tickets to the basket. "Let me embrace this moment."

Misty leant forward and rubbed her temples, she was really beginning to regret this decision already. Maybe it would be easier just to send the papers via a lawyer. But deep down she knew Ash deserved better, he deserved an explanation and closure. However, she wasn't sure she was ready to give it to him.

…

Misty rolled her eyes as the metal detectors rang loudly the moment she stepped through, every time she tried to go on holiday something always set them off. Almost as if she had had a hip replacement nobody had told her about.

But she went through the motions, holding her arms out as the hand-held detector ran over her body and found nothing. It would annoy her if it didn't happen so much, least with the promise of cheap, duty-free shopping on the other side she was willing to put up with the inconvenience.

Once they were through, May made a beeline for a cluster of chairs, snagging a set that had a table that was clean – well as clean as you can get in the airport. This was how May and her differed in their airport habits, while Misty liked to pass the time splurging on items she didn't need, May preferred to people watch with a strong drink in her hand.

In the end, Misty decided to just follow her friend. A little drink might help calm her nerves.

"Gin and tonic?" May offered, grabbing her purse out her bag.

"Please." She nodded, before May slipped off to the bar.

Misty sighed as she flicked through her messages, lots of good luck messages from Rudy, all of them assuring her that her family would forgive her. If only he knew the truth then he probably wouldn't be feeling quite so positive about this whole trip.

How had she managed to get herself into this mess? She knew she was naïve as a child but did she really think that running out on a marriage wouldn't have any consequences? That she could just pretend that part of her life had never happened and then magically it didn't exist anymore.

Misty faked a smile when May came back, she knew her friend could see right through it but she was kind enough to not mention it. Instead, she pulled a folder out of her bag and dropped it in front of Misty.

"Not like you to bring work on holiday." Misty laughed, only to cut off when she opened the folder.

Staring back at her was a newspaper article that had been printed off the internet, normally nothing to interest Misty but today the subject had captured her attention. The photo seemed like it was taken in another life-time, but she supposed in a way it was. A time when things were simpler.

It was her and Ash's wedding, so in love they weren't actually looking at the camera. Instead, they were staring into each other's eyes, smiles wide as they were oblivious to the world around them during their first dance. Misty couldn't help but smile as she looked at the pictures, fingers itching to reach out and gently caress Ash's young face. It was true what they said, no matter how it ended it truly was the happiest day of your life.

Young hearts, run free. A wedding for first and lasting love.

Misty wanted to laugh, if only it had been that simple. It had been a friend of Ash's family, Todd Snap, that had written the article, claiming the local news was always so dire and they needed a human-interest piece to brighten it up. And who didn't love high school sweethearts with a bright future ahead of them.

Skimming through it was overly optimistic. How the 'handsome groom' and the 'blushing bride' were sure to go the distance, their love was timeless and their marriage was set to last.

Last two years perhaps.

"So, you had a pretty elaborate wedding." May said, turning the page to a collage of photos that had made a double spread.

Misty was always amazed how much they wrote about their wedding but it just goes to show it's not what you know but who you know.

"Mum was happy to pay for the white wedding when she knew it was going to be a feature in the paper. Bragging rights for life." She shook her head, if only she'd offered the same support for the aftermath.

"You looked amazing." She said, pointing to a photo of Ash attempting to bit the garter off Misty's leg but both of them were laughing to hard. "You're so happy."

"Yeah, well, it didn't last." Misty shrugged, turning the page again only to gasp when she saw Ash's face staring back at her.

But it wasn't the Ash she remembered, he was older. Probably not the most recent photo of him but he was definitely in his early 20s. Why she was staring at Ash's Facebook profile she wasn't sure and part of her was a little afraid to turn the page again out of fear of what she might find next.

"I've done a little online research." May said proudly.

"I can see that." She nodded, turning to see Ash's current address. Different from where she'd left him but she still recognised the area. "How?"

"You gave me a first and last name, it was hardly difficult." She rolled her eyes as if it were blatantly obvious.

"Right." Misty nodded, she never really had much of an online presence just to be sure so she never understood how easy it was to 'stalk' someone.

She flicked the page again to find another article about Ash, this time to say that he had opened his own business – photography by Todd again she noted. Something he had never expressed an interest in while they were together, but to be fair he never expressed much of an interest beyond sex and starting a family so who knew what he was going to do for a career? Furniture design was hardly what she expected, but the pieces were. Rustic and homely, just like Ash.

"I have to say, he doesn't look like your type, so muscly and sexy." May gushed, flicking over again to show a topless Ash building an outdoor table and chairs set. "You usually go for a softer, more delicate man."

"Thanks?" Misty said, but she supposed the idea of Rudy building anything with his two hands was laughable. He was much more comfortable behind the screen of a laptop than out in the wilderness. "You hardly find many burly men on the streets of New York."

"I guess."

Or maybe it was like the old saying, once bitten and twice shy. If she avoided those men, they couldn't hurt her again. It was like how the smell of a certain drink could make your stomach curl she felt like that about certain men coming onto her.

"I know we've been avoiding this topic, but I've got to know. Are you really ready to see him again?" May asked, flagging down the bar tender for another drink. Knowing May, she'd just left her card at the till and was planning on keeping her tab open.

"I don't know, I guess I'm scared." She admitted, gladly taking the drink off the bar tender.

"Of what? That he might still be in love with you?" She prompted.

"God no!" She snorted into her drink. "He'll be way past loving me by now, I'm just scared to go back. I've cut all my ties with everything there and suddenly I'm going back, I never thought I would have to. I'd burnt too many bridges and now I am, I'm just scared."

"Come on Misty, when have you ever been scared to do anything?" May encouraged. "Getting married despite your parents' protests? Running off to New York, all alone? Getting engaged despite already being married? A little stupid perhaps, but brave as hell!"

"Thanks." She smiled.

But it wasn't that easy, she was still terrified. How could she just walk back after eight years and think nothing had changed? That she could just stroll up to Ash and get him to sign the papers without a fight? She knew better than that, it was going to be a long, tough week.

…

Thanks to all the drinks, Misty had slept through most of the flight. Not even her nerves could stop the alcohol from knocking her out. But it did mean that, far too quickly, she was getting into a taxi and handing over Ash's new address.

"Sure thing." The taxi driver winked before heading out the airport.

May was chattering excitedly as they travelled but it washed over Misty without her taking any of it in, her stomach was a mix of anxiety and familiarity.

She felt a strange warmth as sights she began to recognise whizzed past the window. Different from what she remembered and yet, unchanged at the same time. All the memories she had tried to forget, tried to push down suddenly coming rushing back. Happy ones, sad ones, ones that had her practically cringing in her seat but they were all her and she'd missed her.

She felt like she was finally coming home.

"Here we are." May said, leaning forward to pay the man and swiftly exciting the car.

"Right." Misty croaked, hand frozen on the handle.

She saw the curtains twitch and her heart dropped, knowing that on the other side of the window was Ash. Watching the taxi pull up in confusion as an unfamiliar woman got out with a lot of luggage. He'd be outside in a minute; his curiosity always did get the better of him and she'd have to face him. Whether she wanted to or not.

"You getting out sweetheart?" The driver frowned, wondering if she was one of those posh city girls who expected the door to be opened for her.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I…" She trailed off as the front door flew open and she saw him.

Stood in the doorway, hand above his eyes to shield them as he took in the sight of May unpacking the boot as if she lived here. He opened his mouth to speak, probably to tell this strange woman she must have the wrong address when he spotted her. Face almost pressed against the glass as she debated whether she could just tell the driver to take her back to the airport.

But before she could do that, the door was being ripped open and May was yanking her out of the car.

"Brave, remember?" She hissed as she pushed Misty towards the house.

She stumbled slightly but managed to catch herself before she fell at Ash's feet and made a complete fool of herself. What a good first impression she was making. Was it a first impression or a second impression? She wasn't sure, was it even an impression if you knew the person?

She inwardly shook her head to stop that train of thought, now was not the time for rambling. Now was the time to be brave.

She finally allowed herself to look at Ash, really look at him and she realised the years had been good to him. Gone was the scrappy boy who was still growing into his limbs and in his place was an attractive, rugged man. He wore his five o'clock shadow well but his eyes still held that youthful glow.

But she supposed, he wasn't the only one who'd changed. She no longer wore her hair short and always up, instead she'd let it grow out to hang loose down her back. She didn't hide herself in baggy clothes but picked things that hugged and accentuated her figure.

They'd both grown up, no longer the children that got married but adults that led their own, separate lives. And yet, as they stared at each it felt like the past eight years hadn't passed and this sudden distance that was forced between them had vanished.

"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in." Ash smirked, walking down the steps of his porch until her was in front of her. "Misty, it's been a while."

"Hi Ash." She swallowed. "It's good to see you."

He held his hand out and she awkwardly accepted the gesture, it was more formal then they were used to but how else did one greet an estranged husband? But it was still familiar to her, Ash's brown eyes sparkling in the warm Florida sun, the smell of the sea air that always lingered, the quiet that came from little traffic. Yeah, she was finally home.

…