She thought that liking someone was something that only happened when you were young.
When they met again, she was already the boss of her own company and he was divorced. They have known each other for many years, and they are familiar enough that no explanation is needed, and they are familiar enough to pretend that nothing happened.
He doesn't talk about love or express love. But every time she needed him, he was there. Send her to the airport, watch flamenco with her, stand in the Moroccan desert, not talking, just being.
She knew what he meant. It just takes a little time to sort yourself out first.
"Later" is the sequel to "A Relationship Without a Beginning". The two books stand alone and do not need to be read in order.
Concept: Women's self-definition in different situations