“I hope they can survive this. They’ve both been through so much already,” Gloria said, worried.

Aldo settled an arm around her shoulders. “Sometimes you just have to believe that love will win.” He passed her his phone. “And love looks a lot like this.”

Gloria glanced at the picture on the screen of Luke and Harper’s embrace. “Oh, wow. You definitely need to save that for their wedding.”

His laugh boomed out over the empty parking lot. Aldo kissed the top of her head. “I’d take you back to them, but if I was reading the signs right, they’re getting naked in the woods right now.”

“We’ll give them some space.”

* * *

Gloria was practically giddy. It felt like Christmas morning watching the Garrison clan settle in for breakfast without a clue of what was about to walk through the diner door. Aldo kept shooting her knowing looks while he carried on a conversation with Luke and Sophie’s brother, James.

Sophie and Ty were wrangling Josh, who kept diving for the maple syrup. “The last thing you need is a pint of sugar,” Sophie told her son. Uncle James snuck another puddle of syrup on Josh’s plate every time Sophie turned her attention elsewhere. Claire and Charlie were arguing over whether Charlie could have a chocolate milk or if he should get the healthier orange juice with his egg white omelet.

“The woman will make me a vegan before I’m dead,” Charlie complained.

The diner door opened, and Gloria dug her hand into Aldo’s thigh. “Sorry I’m late!” Harper called cheerfully. “Do we have room for another?”

Claire was the first to notice the man behind Harper. “Oh my—”

Sophie shrieked and climbed over Ty and Josh. Claire shoved back her chair, almost tripping Sophie as they fought to get to Luke first.

“For Pete’s sake, you just saw the girl two days ago. What’s all the…” Charlie trailed off, turning in his seat.

Gloria’s throat tightened, and she blinked back tears.

James jumped into the action, hugging his brother as the diner patrons broke out into applause.

“Best surprise ever,” Gloria whispered to Aldo. He laced his fingers through hers and brought their joined hands to his lips.

“Second only to Ivan the Terrible,” he corrected.

“Of course,” Gloria scoffed. “But I don’t think Luke is going to go home and wreck the house and wake Harper up at four in the morning by jumping on her face.”

Aldo rubbed the faded scratch on his cheek. “I don’t know, they might be into that kind of stuff.”