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The plan had been to have Alesha over for dinner the day after Christmas.

Instead, a problem at a construction site in Albany had pulled Reece away longer than expected.

Now he was finally home, New Year’s Eve was only two days away, and the conversation they’d both avoided since Christmas was still waiting for them.

They’d talked while he was gone but kept things light. This wasn’t a conversation for a phone call. It needed to happen face-to-face.

Reece moved through the house, making sure everything was ready for a quiet night in—soft music, a fire going, Chinese takeout on the counter. When Alesha arrived a few minutes later, he drew in a steady breath.

“We said we’d wait,” he muttered as he headed for the door. “But I think we’ve waited long enough.”

He just hoped she felt the same way.

The moment he saw her, however, some of the tension eased. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, leaning in to kiss her.

“Hey, yourself,” she replied with a soft smile.

Taking her overnight bag, he led her upstairs. “I hope Chinese food is okay.”

“Are you kidding? It sounds perfect. Joanne’s back and brought over enough casseroles to feed a small army.” She wrinkled her nose. “Dad swears he loves them, but I’m not convinced.”

They both laughed, and the sound eased the last of the tightness in his chest.

They settled at the kitchen table, making small talk while he poured wine. He was just about to steer things toward the conversation when Alesha beat him to it.

“I know I left things kind of…unfinished the other night,” she said carefully. “But the truth is, I’ve been trying to figure things out, and it hasn’t been easy.”

“I’m not asking you to decide everything tonight,” he said. “I just need to know I’m not the only one thinking about a future here.”

“You’re not,” she said softly. She took a breath before continuing. “My relationship with my mother is…complicated. And I’m realizing that’s what’s holding me back. I know there’s going to be drama if I say I want to move here.”

For a second, Reece forgot how to breathe. Was she saying what he thought she was?

Alesha reached across the table, resting her hand over his. “This is where I want to be,” she said. “But it’s not as simple as just deciding. There’s a lot I need to figure out first—where I’ll live, how to handle things with my mom…”

Before he could stop himself, he was on his feet, pulling her up and into his arms. Her surprised gasp was cut off by a kiss—slightly clumsy, but completely right. He felt her melt against him but forced himself to pull back because there was still more to say.

“Wow,” she murmured, smiling. “That was unexpected.”

Reece huffed out a quiet laugh and sat back down, momentarily at a loss for words.

Thankfully, she wasn’t.

“I want a place of my own,” she continued, smoothing her hair back. “My dad offered to let me stay with him, but…I want something that’s mine.”

He nodded, even as a flicker of disappointment passed through him.

“I actually went out with Harlow Bradshaw yesterday and looked at a few houses and…”

“You did?” he asked, surprised. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted us to talk first. In person.” She smiled faintly. “You know how much I love this town. The idea of one of those Craftsman bungalows near downtown? It feels like a dream.”

Reece swallowed, debating whether to say anything about her moving in with him.

“Your house is beautiful,” she went on, as if reading his mind. “And I did wonder…what it would be like to live there. With you.”

Hope sparked.