“Handle it? You’ve met my mother. I’ve been living this all my life.”

“Then I’m in.”

“Better be. Because I am really liking that apartment of yours.”

“I’ve noticed you’ve made yourself quite at home.”

“Why should you get all the closet space?”

“Yes. I know you need room for your many Tennessee Titan hats.”

“You don’t have to be jealous of my hats; you know I’ll get you one.”

Chuckling, Toni went up on her toes, looked him in the eye. “I love you, too, Ricky Lee Reed.”

“Good.”

She kissed him and Ricky hugged her tight, pulling her close into his body, returning that kiss.

“Thank you,” she finally said when she pulled back a bit, their arms still around each other.

“For what?”

“For everything. But mostly for your amazing patience.”

“Well”—Ricky shrugged—“it’s like I told ya from the beginning, Antonella . . . if you wait long enough, the entertainment comes to you.”