The next weekend, Lucy officially moved in. Uncle Walter helped transport her belongings, Mae organized everything, and Jake managed to not have a panic attack about Lucy's extensive cookbook collection.
"Where are we going to put all these?" Jake asked, surveying boxes of books.
"We'll figure it out. That's what living together is—figuring out how to merge two lives into one space."
"Very philosophical."
"I'm a philosopher chef."
They spent the weekend organizing, arguing about furniture placement, and generally learning to share space as official cohabitants instead of trial ones.
"This is good," Lucy said that night, lying in bed next to Jake. "I'm glad I said yes."
"I'm glad you said yes too. Welcome home, Lucy Chen."
"Welcome home," Lucy repeated. And for the first time since she'd come back from Paris, she really believed it.
This was home. Not just Timber Falls, not just the restaurant. This—Jake, their shared apartment, their shared life.
She was finally home.
Chapter 24
Summer arrived in Timber Falls with warm days and longer evenings.
Jake and Lucy had been officially living together for six weeks, and they'd fallen into a comfortable rhythm. She worked late at the restaurant, he had early morning practices. They cooked dinner together when their schedules aligned. They spent Sunday mornings in bed, reading and drinking coffee.
It was domestic and ordinary and everything Jake had wanted.
On a Saturday morning in late June, Jake woke to find Lucy already up, sitting on their small balcony with her laptop.
"What are you doing awake?" he asked, bringing her coffee. "It's your day off."
"Researching. I got an email from a food magazine. They want to do a feature on Margaret's."
"Lucy, that's amazing!"
"It is. But it's also—it's a lot. They want photos, interviews, the whole thing. What if I mess it up?"
"You won't mess it up. You're a natural at this stuff." Jake sat down next to her. "When's the interview?"
"Next week. They're sending a writer and photographer. Daniel's freaking out, Mae's already planning what to wear, and I'm just—terrified."
"Of course you are. But Lucy—this is good. This is your restaurant getting the recognition it deserves."
Lucy leaned into him. "I know. I'm excited. Also terrified. Can both things be true?"
"Both things are always true."
They spent the morning at the farmers market—a tradition they'd maintained even after Lucy moved in. The same vendors, the same produce, but now they shopped together. Planning meals, picking ingredients, being domestic.
"I love this," Lucy said as they walked home with their bags. "This normal life we've built. Wednesday morning pork buns, Sunday farmers markets, all of it."
"Me too. Though I have a confession."
"What?"
"I think I'm getting a little restless. With coaching. Don't get me wrong—I love the Wolves, I love what we've built. But I keep thinking there should be more. Something bigger."
