Relationship or partnership..?

internet - Insider

 What a mess. Workers in and out of their home. Pure invasion of space and privacy but, a welcome change.
He and wife had decided renovations could not be sidelined any longer. With the arrival of a new addition in the family, a grandchild , family and friends visiting more frequently from across the seas,their home that had seen them through growth and change and ups and downs, needed a face lift.
Trepidation was replaced with excitement and a new found energy and happiness, yes happiness, that had been missing for a while began to weave its magic between them
The planning, the buzz, the frenzy, had bought him and her closer. They found themselves conversing more frequently. On matters relating to the house, on daily happenings, chit chat...that led to a smile and now and again even a burst of laughter.
They started standing closer to each other, their fingers touching ever so slightly. And when her hand rested on his shoulder, it felt so right. It felt just how it should be.
Then came that day and he leaned in to kiss her...it was spontaneous, it felt natural.
He shocked her.
Her reaction shocked him.
"Don't. " is all she said and wiped her lips...her gaze glazing over with the same detached coldness he had experienced for so many years.
A fear found its way into his blood. It rushed through to his heart and he realised nothing had changed....it was not a relationship they had...it was simply a partnership of the best sort.


RB.