That we end up alone and running for the rest of our lives.
"That's specific."
"I've had a lot of time to think about what normal looks like."
"And that's your version of normal? Me drinking coffee while Sofia opens presents?"
He chuckles and pulls me against his body, and I rest my hand on his chest.
"Yes. That's exactly what I want."
He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Then that's what you'll get."
Oh, God, how I wish he could promise that and keep it, but life isn't up to us.
Chance and fate weave a cruel web for us sometimes and there's nothing we can do to evade it.
Sometimes, it turns out for the good, like my being here and falling in love with him.
And other times, not so much…
"I'll need to go to Naples at some point," I say. "To get my things. To quit my job officially. To tell my landlord I'm moving."
Dante's hand cups my chin and he forces me to look up at him.
There's a sense of wonder in his eyes that makes me smile.
"You're staying?"
"Did you think I wouldn't after last night?"
"I hoped. But I didn't want to assume."
"I'm staying. Sofia's staying. This is where we live now." I stop and hold my breath for a moment before adding, "That is, if you want us…"
Dante leans down and claims my lips in a searing kiss so powerful it has him growling against my mouth, and I get the feeling that if Sofia weren’t able to run right back in as easily as she left, he'd have me on this table right now.
"You make me the happiest man alive," he says against my mouth.
"Just stay that way," I warn. "Alive, I mean."
After chuckling for a moment, he continues. "When do you want to go to Naples?" he asks.
"After Christmas. After whatever happens today is finished. I'll need a few days to pack and handle everything."
"I'll send people with you. You won't go alone."
"I figured."
He cups my face in his hands and leans down to kiss me again.
And this time, the kiss is soft but brief before he says, "I love you."
"I love you too."
He pulls back and studies my face like he's trying to memorize it.
