Page 172 of Lucky Mother Pucker

When we break apart, he reaches over and scratches Wally’s belly. “Good job, buddy.”

I hop out of bed, grab Leo’s hoodie from the floor, and slide it over me.

“Be back in a sec.”

I pop into the bathroom to pee and brush my teeth. When I walk back into Leo’s bedroom, Wally is resting with his head in Leo’s lap as Leo rubs his tummy.

My heart skids in my chest at the affection in Leo’s gaze as he looks at my dog.

He looks up at me and grins. “What?”

I climb back into bed. “I just love seeing my two favorite guys together.”

Leo grins wide. He gives Wally a pat on the belly, then turns to me. “You still wanna do Christmas with my family tomorrow?”

I nod excitedly.

A few days ago, Leo invited me to celebrate Christmas with him and his family. I, of course, said yes. I had such a great time with them over Thanksgiving, and I was hoping he’d ask me to join them again.

“I can’t wait to spend Christmas with my boyfriend,” I say.

He grabs my face and kisses me in that slow, teasing way that always makes me shiver.

“Fuck, I love hearing you call me your boyfriend,” he murmurs against my mouth.

We cuddle in bed with Wally for a while, then my phone buzzes.

I sit up and grab it from the side table. It’s a call from the estate attorney that Poppy’s parents put me in touch with. I met with her last week so she could review my mom’s will. She said the document was valid. Legally, the house belongs to me, not Richard.

When she told me that, I couldn’t speak at first. I couldn’t believe it. This whole time, the house was mine.

Nerves fire off inside of me when I answer the call.

“Hi, Lucy. It’s Gloria. Sorry to call you on the morning of Christmas Eve.”

“It’s okay.”

“I just wanted to update you on where things are concerning your mom’s will and the house. Everything is in motion to get your house back into your possession. Your stepdad will be served with the legal documents on December 26. At that time, he’ll have forty-eight hours to vacate the premises.”

I let out a breath. “Okay. That’s good to know.”

“Hopefully, he’ll leave on his own, but if he doesn’t, we’ll contact the sheriff’s office and he’ll be removed from the home.”

“He’ll be arrested?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, in situations like this, some people react unfavorably. But regardless, we still have a job to do. That property is legally yours, and he can no longer reside there.”

I’m nervous just thinking about Richard causing a scene when he finds out that he legally has no right to live in the house anymore.

“It may take some time, but we’ll get your house back.”

“Thank you, Gloria. I really appreciate you helping me. Especially when I don’t have the money to pay you.”

A pang of guilt hits me. I wish I could. She’s doing so much for me.

“It’s okay. I enjoy being able to help people in need who otherwise wouldn’t have the means to hire me for my services. It’s a way for me to give back.”

“It means so much.”