Page 100 of 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover

I smolder at her. “Do these plans involve multiple rounds of the Sex?”

She shoves my chest playfully. “Not right now. I have a surprise for you.”

“Does this surprise involve my six-pack and your mouth?” I ask.

Delilah rolls her eyes. “It does not.”

I grab her hand and swing it like we’re in grade school. Seriously. We’re still this cute. “Does this surprise involve lemon curd carnage and my face between your legs?”

She laughs. “Wrong again.”

New decor is on the lampposts, bouquets of evergreen cuttings and pretty bows, half of them adorned with red holly berries, the others with blue dreidels—a reminder that Windfall’s holiday celebrations are just over a month away. More people wave at us as we cross the street. Hopefully they’re pleased with how this episode of their favorite show ended.

“I finished rewriting my novel,” I say hesitantly. “My family’s fine with me publishing it, so it’s up to you. Maybe you’ll read it tomorrow?”

Delilah stops walking. My stomach does a nervous drop. “I don’t need to read it to give my permission. I trust you and think it’s important to have our truth in the world. The answer’s yes, but I’ll still read it tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” For being the best person I know. “You can help me brainstorm the title. I’m kind of stuck on it.” Continuing to her place, I lift our hands and kiss her knuckles. “Does this surprise involve us reenacting our first time, with Eternity and ‘Pillow Talk’ on the stereo?”

She tips her head back, grinning. “You’re too much.”

Or just enough.

When we get to her apartment above Sugar and Sips, music drifts out. And voices.

“Delilah.” I stop and spin her toward me. “Are we filming our own porno? Do I need to wait outside, then you’ll answer the door and tell me I’m not your usual repairman?”

She’s downright cackling now. “We’re not filming a porno, goof. We’re having fondue night.”

Baring her teeth in the widest smile I’ve ever seen, she swings the door open for her surprise. Our friends are there: Ricky and Aaron, Avett and Naomi, even my nemesis Maggie and her boyfriend, Thomas, glasses of wine in hand, hanging out around the coffee table with the appetizers Delilah planned for our canceled evening. Fresh sunflowers are on the kitchen counter. The table’s set with mismatched colorful napkins and blue ceramic plates. Melted cheesy goodness of some kind wafts from the oven—probably Ricky’s fancy cheese-and-potato dish—making my nose exceedingly happy.

I’m exceedingly happy.

As much as I want to devour my woman and would have given my all for any of my surprise guesses, especially the porno one—with our improved acting, we could take the adult-entertainment world by storm—this surprise winds me in the best way. This is us being a real couple, sharing our home with the people we love. This is the life I would have imagined for myself ten years ago, and I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to live it.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Avett calls, lifting his wineglass in salute.

“Dog, not cat. Now you’ve insulted Candy Cane and need to apologize.”

“Sorry, Candy!” His grin is crooked. This must be glass of wine number two.

At the sound of her name, Candy bounds over to our friends and accepts a round of gentle, not-too-vigorous pats. I drag Delilah into my arms. “This is the best surprise.”

“Sorry it’s not filming a porno, but I wanted to show you how serious I am. That I want a future with you and all this.” She gestures at the festive room. “Our friends. Our home together, whatever that home looks like. I’m not scared anymore. I won’t shut down and block you out again.”

There’s nothing left to say. Not when she’s given me everything I want. I kiss her, going for chaste and sweet, but Delilah’s not having it. She digs her fingers into my hair, deepening the kiss, being naughty with her tongue.

“You two are still gross.” Maggie, always there to needle me.

I wrench myself away from Delilah, keeping her tucked close. “Lovely to see you, too, Margaret.”

Naomi is mooning at us like we’re a pile of puppies. “Y’all are still too damn cute.”

Ricky kisses Aaron’s cheek and nips his ear. “We’re cuter.”

Aaron blushes ten shades of red.

I laugh. “They’re definitely cuter.”