“I told my mom about you.”

Oh. She hadn’t been expecting that.

“What did she say?”

“She said she was glad I found someone because she was beginning to wonder about me and Asa.”

That would be so hot. Like uber hotter than fire hot to see the two of them going at one another.

“As much as my mind is totally happy to go there with you and Asa, I’m glad you like me better when it comes to where to put your penis.”

He burst out laughing. “I hate when you’re mad at me. I don’t laugh nearly as much.”

“It was like four and a half hours of your life, Duke. You’re spoiled, that’s your problem.”

“One of many. But I sure do like it when you’re doing the spoiling. I did tell them about the hotel reservations. She was very appreciative of the itinerary you’d set up for them. That’s how I brought up that you and I were together.”

“Oh, lovely. You can’t tell me she didn’t look sideways at the fact that I’m your employee.”

“She’s a mom, it’s her job. But she honestly sounded pleased and said she wanted to meet you. I think you’ll like her well enough to see her once a year or so. And how can they not like you?”

“Lots of people manage that just fine.”

“Lots of people are dumb. We established that. Anyway, when they arrive, will you come and have dinner with us? My sister and her family are coming up Friday afternoon after her kids are out of school. The grand opening is at eight. But I thought a dinner with me, you, and my parents when they get in Thursday night would be good.”

She’d never in the entire time she’d dated, even when she’d been married, had dinner with the guy’s family. She knew people did. Craig used to go to his ex-girlfriend’s house to have dinner with her family regularly.

She wanted them to see her as worthy of their son. Even though they needed to see him as worthy first and foremost.

“Do you think it’ll be too much? Like maybe you guys should be together alone to catch up and then we can all do brunch on Saturday with your sister’s family, your brother, and your parents.” That would be way more crowded and less prone to awkward moments of silence.

“Too much for who? My parents? No way. My dad is a meat-and-potatoes guy and the Met is an old-school steakhouse. My parents would like it. It’s in downtown so not too far from here and near their hotel. I just wanted to make sure you like it too before I made reservations.”

Carmella said, “I love steak. I can handle the reservations if you like.”

“Nope. I can do it.” He was quiet awhile as they crossed I-90 heading to Bellevue.

“There’s something else,” she said to him. “You don’t have to share it until you’re ready. Or even with me. But keeping secrets is hard on your heart.”

“You should know, huh?” It wasn’t a mean or cutting thing to say. He hadn’t meant it like that.

“Something like that. I only know I like you too much to want you carrying around something you should share.”

“You tell me something.”

“Like tit for tat? Because I have to tell you, I’ve sort of vomited up enough gross details of my life for you lately. My boobs can compensate for only so much truth about my life.”

He snorted. “Nothing about you is gross. Especially not your boobs. It doesn’t have to be something bad, or sad. What makes you happy?”

“You do,” she admitted. “Ginger. Music. Coffee.”

“How’d you find that dog?”

“Clifton brought her home. He’d been gone for three days so he thought he could deflect with a cute animal. I’m quite sure he stole her from someone, but he denied it, saying there were kids out front of a grocery store with a box of puppies. She was so tiny and sweet. When she wagged her tail, her whole body would skid back and forth. I looked around for two weeks because I couldn’t really love her until I was sure I’d done whatever I could to reunite her with an owner. But obviously I didn’t and I loved her and she became my little protector. The best thing about my time with Clifton.” She laughed.

“Of course you tried to find out if she had a home.”

“She was so adorable. You have no idea. But she wasn’t a stray. Her coat was glossy. She had a fat little puppy belly. I wanted to pretend she was all mine to love, but I just thought about some little girl with a lost doggie and I had to try. Maybe he did get her at the grocery store. But she’s been mine ever since.”

“It does gladden my heart every time I see her little face and that floppy ear.”

“She adores you. And not just for the bones. She used to look out the front window at you when you and your friends were in your driveway. She’s a hussy like her human, I guess.”

“She’s like my dog too, by proxy. Cool. I haven’t had a dog before. Just another thing you brought me. You make me happy, Carmella. You make me feel lighter and yet heavier at the same time. I love you.”

The first few times he’d told her he loved her, she’d had to fight back panic. She wanted so badly to believe it. To believe a man like Duke could love a woman like her. But the fear and dread that it would wear off, or that it was a shallow love and he just didn’t know it, swamped her.

He didn’t shout it out every time he saw her or anything. But he’d seemed to find it easier to say and she’d found it easier to hear and maybe even accept.