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“But,” she added quickly, “if I’m starting over, I don’t want to step into someone else’s space. I want something that’s mine.” A slight pause. “Or…ours.”

“Alesha… what are you saying?”

She gave a nervous little laugh. “You know what? Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself…”

“No,” he said, leaning forward. “Tell me.”

She hesitated, then met his gaze. “Would you ever consider… us finding a place together? Starting fresh?”

For a second, he just stared at her.

Then his heart kicked into overdrive.

“I’ll call Harlow first thing tomorrow,” he said immediately. “We can go look at places together—make sure we find something solid.”

Her shoulders relaxed, relief softening her expression. “I hope you don’t think I’m being too forward. I know you love your house…”

“I love you more,” he said simply.

The words hung there for a beat, but he didn’t take them back.

“You were right the first time you saw it,” he continued. “It’s too big for one person. I never pictured it as my forever home.” He smiled. “But finding one with you? That feels right.”

“You know this could take time,” she said gently. “I still have to go back to Oregon, pack everything up, deal with my mom… it might be months.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “As long as I know you’re coming back.”

“I am,” she said without hesitation. “This has always felt like home to me. The only place that’s ever really felt like it.”

Reece tightened his grip on her hand. “It’s always been home for me too. But having you here…” He shook his head slightly. “It just feels complete.”

They sat there for a few quiet moments, hands linked, letting it all settle until…

“Our food’s getting cold,” she said with a small laugh.

He glanced at the containers and smiled. “Yeah… that would be a tragedy.”

“So,” she said, picking up her fork, “what’s the plan for New Year’s Eve?”

He grinned. “How about a party and another night at your favorite place?”

Her eyes lit up. “Really? Again? They’re going to start charging me rent.”

“Good thing you’ll have your own place soon,” he said lightly.

She smiled at him across the table, something warm and certain in her eyes. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I will.”

Reece leaned back for a moment, watching her as she reached for her food, like they hadn’t just made this life-altering decision. Like this was just an ordinary date night.

Like she belonged here.

With him.

The thought settled deep in his chest before he could second-guess it.

Without thinking, he reached across the table and laced his fingers through hers again, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles.

Alesha looked up, her smile softening, her eyes holding his. And just like that, the weight he’d been carrying for days eased.