“I could afford to buy the business and still have a little money left aside. Pania agreed to come with me, and we started off doing all kinds of different things. But I noticed that we had more American tourists through than anything else. And I’d learned a lot in my time in LA. So we took the chance and rebranded doing USA-type food.” She laughs. “Even the locals loved it because it seemed exotic.”

“It’s good food.” I open my eyes and meet her gaze. “Everyone on set who’s eaten at the diner praises it.”

She smiles. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“And you found your guard dog, Damon.”

The breath she lets out is audible. I know he frustrates her just as much as he annoys me. “When I first came to town, I dated a couple of guys. I think he thinks that I’ll do the same with him if he hangs around. One of them got kind of serious. There wasn’t the same chemistry as we had, but he was nice and he had no problems dating a single mother.”

At her words, I suck in a breath. As much as I hate the thought of Delaney being with anyone else, and another man taking my place in the family, she’s a grown woman and we weren’t together.

“In the end, I was glad I never introduced him to Melly. I’d have had to meet someone really special for that to happen.”

I stroke her arm. “It didn’t end well, huh?”

She reaches for my chin and pulls my gaze to hers. “Let’s just say only one man has ever used Google for me.”

I laugh, pressing my forehead to hers and planting a kiss on her lips. “It’s just you and me from here on in. And I don’t even need to refer to Google anymore.”

She grins. “You did alright.”

“Alright? I think I did better than alright.”

Delaney lies back and looks at the ceiling. “I think you might have to try again. Just so I can compare.”

I nuzzle her neck. “Is that a challenge?”

“You bet it is.”

* * *

In the night I wake twice, still in disbelief that she’s finally with me.

I tried to move on, but I never had the chemistry with anyone else that I shared with Delaney.

Now I have a second chance to love her.

And I will.

She’s my love, the mother of my child, and my muse.

“Josh.” She smiles as I approach the counter.

“What time do you get off today?”

“Two. Why?”

“I thought we could hang out.” I look at my feet, suddenly shy. “I really enjoyed yesterday.”

“Me too.” She frowns. “Didn’t you have the call-back this afternoon?”

I shrug. “I’m not getting the part. They want someone older.”