Page 205 of Lucky Mother Pucker

“This is the best surprise ever,” I say.

Leo unpacks the basket and hands me a wrapped-up sandwich. I recognize it immediately from that twenty-four-hour sandwich place we went to months ago.

My stomach growls as I unwrap it. “You got me the big daddy.” I bite into the massive sandwich, which is packed with chicken strips and mozzarella sticks, covered in vodka sauce.

“You mentioned you were craving it the other day.”

He takes a bite of his Italian sub. I look at the dozen tea lights dotted throughout the living room and the small vase of Gerbera daisies in the middle of the blanket.

“I thought it would be nice to celebrate at your house,” Leo says. “You finally got it back, and I know you want to spend as much time as you can here before you rent it out.”

Richard finally moved out at the end of December. Since he left, I’ve been spending most of my free time here. I’ve been cleaning it up and decorating it. I spent the night in my old bedroom a few times too.

“It’s nice to have my home back,” I say softly. I glance up at the oil painting of my favorite family photo—the one that Leo surprised me with for Christmas. He helped me hang it over the fireplace a couple of weeks ago.

“Thank you for all you did to help me get it back,” I say.

His smile is warm as he gazes at me. He leans forward and kisses me. I offer him some of my sandwich.

“When does Gabriella move in with her family?” Leo asks.

“Beginning of March.”

I smile, thinking about how Mr. and Mrs. Poulos’s daughter’s family will be living here. As happy as I was to have my parents’ house, I knew it wouldn’t be realistic for me to move back in right now. It’s way too big for just me to live there. And since I work at Hollis U and the diner, I want to keep living with Leo since his house is so close by.

When I was over shoveling the driveway a few weeks ago, I was visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Poulos. They were talking about how crowded their house was with their daughter’s family and how she was pregnant with baby number two. And it hit me: I should rent my house to them.

They were thrilled when I suggested it. It was the perfect solution. Their daughter’s family will have more room for her growing family while remaining close by. And this will generate income for me to help pay for the upkeep of the house and property taxes.

“They move in right before we go to Montreal to meet your dad’s family,” Leo says.

Excitement bubbles up inside of me. “I can’t wait.”

I emailed them at the beginning of the year. I was nervous to see how they’d react, but they were so kind in their message and eager to meet me. We FaceTimed a couple of times, and they invited me to visit for a week in March during Spring Break.

“I can’t believe I’m meeting my dad’s family,” I say softly. “I’m nervous. What if they think I’m weird?”

Leo grabs my hand and gives me a soft squeeze. “They’re going to love you.”

Those nerves firing off inside of me ease. I’m so glad he’s coming with me.

I take another bite of my sandwich.

“Are you sad that we’re not having Cheesecake Factory for our Valentine’s Day picnic?” Leo teases.

“Not at all. I had my fill of it yesterday.”

Leo took me there for my birthday dinner yesterday. When I couldn’t choose between two different cheesecake flavors, he made me order both.

A warm and fuzzy feeling swoops through me. I have the most thoughtful and generous boyfriend in the world.

I set my sandwich down, the ache inside of me deepening with each passing second. I crawl over to his side of the blanket and straddle him.

He quirks up an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his earthy brown eyes.

“Do you want your Valentine’s gift now?” I ask.

He nods. I stand up between his legs, then pull off my top, revealing a lacy, red bra. His eyes pop out of his head.