Gemotions

He had been gone for weeks on a business trip. When the front door swung open, the scent of his cologne filled the air. She braced herself for the usual, a tired greeting, a quick hug. Instead, he smiled, a genuine, wide smile that reached his eyes, and said, “Ciao, cara. Sono felice di essere a casa.”

A wave of heat washed over her, a blush creeping up her neck. He'd never spoken Italian before. She knew the language, knew it intimately, having grown up surrounded by it. Now, it was coming from him, a language he’d always found too difficult.

She stepped closer, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “You… you’ve been learning?” Her voice was barely a whisper. He nodded, his expression softening.