I pressed her back against the island at once and kissed her. She responded immediately, sealing her lips to mine. The kiss was deep, hungry, as if we wanted to reclaim six years in six seconds.

Manuela’s hands rose to my head and pulled off my cap, smoothing the few strands of hair that had started to grow back.

“You look… beautiful… like this…” she said against my lips, referring to the new haircut—or rather, the lack of it.

I lifted Manuela effortlessly and sat her on the cold ...