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“Yes, Hudson. I want to move in with you.”

He pulled me into his arms, and I laughed in delight. The joy I felt in that moment was different because it didn’t come attached to anything else. There was no secret waiting behind it and no lie that required maintenance. It was pure.

I kissed him. Hudson cupped my face and kissed me back until the laughter became something softer.

When we parted, I stayed close. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“You have seen my apartment.”

“I have.”

“You know how much stuff I own.”

“I have storage.”

“You say that now.”

“I measured the closets,” he said. “There should be plenty of space.”

“So you planned this out thoroughly before asking me?”

“I hoped you’d say yes.”

I touched his face. “You were nervous.”

“Yes.”

The admission made me love him more.

He kissed my forehead.

Behind us, someone banged on the front door. We turned. Patty stood inside the kitchen, staring toward the front of the house.

Another knock sounded.

“Are we expecting anyone else?” I asked.

Hudson looked toward the cars. “No.”

Patty crossed the room and disappeared from view. We heard the front door open. A second later, her startled laugh carried through the cottage.

Hudson and I exchanged a look.

“That sounded concerning,” I said.

“With Patty, it could mean anything.”

We returned inside. The room had quieted. Everyone faced the entryway. Patty appeared first. Her grin had become enormous.

One arm extended behind her in invitation. “Come on in.”

A young woman stepped into the living room.

She was short, perhaps five foot two, with a compact, stocky build and a duffel bag slung over one shoulder. Her hair stopped just below her chin and had been dyed in patches of blonde, black, orange, and brown. Calico. There was no other word for it.

Her eyes moved over the crowded room with cautious recognition, then she smiled. “It’s been a long time.”