“That’s way worse than a spanking,” Aldo said, winking at Gloria. If it worked for her and him, it would probably work for Luke. Maybe he’d feel him out, browbeat him if necessary. But for now, he was taking Gloria home.

* * *

“Best Thanksgiving ever,” Gloria said, reaching up to spoon feed Aldo a bite of pumpkin pie. He reciprocated by spraying a dollop of whipped cream directly into her mouth. Ivan pranced over, swatted at the pie plate, and then flopped over to bite the rug.

The fire burned low where they lounged naked under blankets and pillows in front of it. The November chill and Harper and Luke’s problems were far, far away. He himself had also come quite far, he realized, noting his prosthesis propped against the ottoman.

“Agreed,” Aldo said, sliding a hand down Gloria’s bare back. He wondered if he’d ever have his fill of touching her. Of learning her body. His fingers found the small scar on the curve of her hip and danced over it before skating back up her ribs.

“I wondered what your plan was when you asked me to make pie and then told me to leave it here,” Gloria said, stretching her arms over her head and sighing.

“From now on, this is how I want to end every Thanksgiving,” Aldo announced. “A new tradition.”

“Is that so?” Gloria purred. She reached out to ruffle Ivan’s fur and snickered when the cat tried to eat her hand. Ivan puffed up and then turned tail, running up the stairs and sounding like a small pony.

“I think it would be a little easier if you lived here though. Or we could move into your apartment. Or buy a different house,” Aldo mused.

Gloria went still and quiet in his arms.

“I’m trying to be really suave and romantic and ask you to move in with me,” he said after a few more seconds of silence.

“Me? Us? Move in together?”

“You don’t have to decide now. You can think about it.” This was not how he’d pictured it going. He should have practiced what he was going to say, not blurted it out between gobs of whipped cream.

“Yes.”

“Yes, you want to think about it?”

“No, yes I want to move in with you.”

“Wait, there was a no and a yes in there.” It was very important that Gloria clarify exactly what she meant.

She twisted in his arms, pressing her breasts to his chest as they tipped backwards. “Yes, I want to move in with you. I love you. I love this house. I even love that monster parading as a kitten.”

Holding her to him, he rolled her onto her back. “You’re not just saying that to make me happy, are you?”