Josh studies me for a moment. “You don’t have to get all starry-eyed over him.”

“You know there’s only one man who makes me see stars.” I grin.

“Finished.”

I look over at Melly. Her plate’s already clean and she’s licking her fingers. She beams a breathtaking smile at me.

“Did you want to try one of these rolls? They’re very nice.”

She nods. “Uh huh.”

“Here you go.” Josh hands her one, and she takes a big bite.

“They’re yummy too,” she exclaims, and my heart’s so warmed by the sight.

She’s happy again.

* * *

Josh demolishes most of the pizza, but there’s more than enough for the three of us.

Lorenzo approaches. “Did you want anything else?”

I shake my head. “We’re full. But thank you so much. It was wonderful. I can see why Josh loves your food so much.”

“I appreciate that.” He turns to Melly. “How old are you?” he asks.

Melly holds up her splayed out fingers. “I’m five.”

“Really? Would you like to meet my granddaughter? She’s five, and she’s having dinner here tonight too.”

Melly nods.

He looks at me. “They’re right over there. Do you mind if I take her over?”

Josh leans toward me “She’ll be fine.”

I nod. “It’s okay with me.”

Melly stands, takes Lorenzo’s hand and he leads her to a nearby table. Another dark-haired little girl looks up as they approach, and her eyes light up when she sees Melly.

Josh slides his arm around my shoulders. “You’re not happy.”

When I turn, his eyes search mine. “We’re still settling in.”

He shakes his head. “That’s not it. There’s something missing. It’s crept up, and I couldn’t put my finger on it until tonight.”

I blink back tears. “We’ll work through it. This is such a big change for Melly and I.”

“Look at her, Delaney. That’s the biggest smile I think I’ve seen on her face all week.”

I look over to where Melly’s sitting with the other little girl. He’s right. She’s gone from tears in the dining room to beaming smiles.

“You’ve got enough on your plate, Josh …”

“No. I want my feisty Delaney back. The one who puts me in my place and turns me upside down.”

I give him a small smile. “And I thought I was the bossy one.”

“Amelia didn’t like the dinner Mrs Becker cooked.”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t the same as my mac and cheese. She’s spent all her life with my cooking, and the food we get in New Zealand. A lot of things taste different here.”