Felicity watched Leo climb out of his car and walk up her driveway. She probably shouldn’t be spying on him, but he was kind of fun to watch when he wasn’t aware. He wore a dark-green shirt under a black jacket, and his jeans fit him perfectly. He was also carrying some . . . roses.
They’d been officially dating for three weeks now, if she started counting after the night of the fire.
Three weeks, as in twenty-one days, and now Felicity could barely remember her existence before Leo had become front and center of her life.
She waited until he knocked on the door; the sound sent a thrill through her heart. General was already heading toward the door, and he gave a couple of happy barks on his way.
Felicity joined the dog and unlocked the door. The first thing she saw was Leo’s grin; then he held up the roses. Red roses to be exact.
“Wow, what’s the occasion?” she asked.
He stepped over the threshold and leaned down to kiss her. A way too-brief kiss. “You are the occasion.”
“Mmm.” She leaned in for another kiss, and he obliged. “I thought you were trying to butter me up before going to your family dinner tonight.”
“Maybe that too,” Leo said with a laugh.
General nudged against his leg, and he bent to scratch the dog’s head.
“I’m okay with Angelo being there,” Felicity said, taking the bouquet of roses. They smelled heavenly. She walked into the kitchen and found a vase in one of her cupboards. “I mean, I’ll have to meet Angelo sometime.”
“He won’t be there tonight.” Leo leaned against the kitchen counter, watching her fill the vase with water. “He said he had other plans.”
She set the roses in the vase of water. “Because I’m coming?” She looked over at him.
“I don’t know,” Leo said. “But he did say he’s moving out soon—found an apartment—now that he’s making money, he can be more independent.”
Felicity turned toward Leo. “Will your mom be okay alone with your dad?”
“She’s a tough lady,” Leo said, holding her gaze. “Reminds me of another tough lady I know.” He reached for her hand and tugged her close, then ran his hand up her back.
Felicity laughed. “You’re really turning on the charm today.”
“I hope it’s working,” Leo said.
She breathed in his spicy scent. He’d shaved, and there was a nick on the edge of his jaw. She raised up on her toes and lightly kissed his jaw. “Because . . . ?” she whispered.
Leo kept her close. “Because my entire family in the same house can be really overwhelming. And they all know how long we’ve been dating, so there will be a lot of questions. Some of them personal.”
She looped her arms about his neck. “Like what kind of deodorant I use?”
Leo chuckled. “That would actually be a relief.” He lowered his head and brushed a kiss against her neck. When he lifted his head again, he said, “They’ll ask questions such as what you think about me. About how serious we are.”
“Hmm. How serious are we?”
His smile spread. “You tell me.”
The brown of his eyes reminded her of melted chocolate, and the feel of his arms around her was like being nestled in the softest blanket. “Are you my boyfriend, Officer Russo?”
His eyes gleamed. “I’d better be, Ms. Miner.”
Those lips of his were just waiting to be kissed. So she kissed him. When she drew away, she said, “I’m not afraid of a few questions, and I’d be happy to tell your siblings what I think of you.”
Leo’s brows shot up. “Should I be worried?”
She only laughed. Felicity had been to his parents’ house twice in the past three weeks. His dad hadn’t spoken much, of course. But his mom was friendly, giving her hugs, and acting happy to see her. Mrs. Russo was a warm and affectionate woman. Completely opposite of Felicity’s mom-slash-grandmother. But Felicity hadn’t seen any of Leo’s siblings since that brief meeting at the hospital.
She liked that she and Leo had agreed on making their relationship about the two of them, and not about other people’s expectations or traditions.
“I do want to make one thing clear before we’re bombarded by my family,” Leo said in a low tone.
“What’s that?” Felicity said.
He leaned his forehead against hers, and his hands slipped lower on her waist. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Felicity Rose Miner.”
The words were like the softest breeze on a warm autumn day, floating around her, and lifting her up. “That’s funny,” she whispered.
“Why’s that funny?” His tone sounded amused.
“Because . . . Every day with you is a new record for me.” She moved her hands over his shoulders, then down his arms. “And I never want them to end, which tells me one thing.” She paused, her heart thumping. “I’m in love with you, too.”
Leo didn’t move for a moment. Then he kissed her, lifting her up and holding her against him.
She clung to him, marveling that she had this man in her life, that he loved her, and that she loved him. Truly and completely.
He set her down, and Felicity sighed.
“What?” he said, threading his fingers through her hair.
“Can we stay here tonight?” she said. “I kind of want you to myself.”
The edges of his mouth lifted. “If you want to be the one to call my mom and tell her.”
“Never mind,” Felicity said. “Your mom’s too nice to disappoint. And I don’t want to be the reason she doesn’t get to see her little boy.”
Leo drew away and linked their fingers. “I want to stay here, too, but that probably means we should go.”
He was right.
She said goodbye to General, then smelled the roses in the vase one more time. Leo helped her into her jacket, then he opened the front door.
Once settled in his car, and with the heater blasting, he reached for her hand. Their fingers linked so naturally that it felt like Felicity had been with him much longer than a few weeks.
As they drove through the streets of Pine Valley toward his parents’ house, Felicity thought of her own parents. They’d had a few more conversations on the phone, and Felicity had reconciled herself to believing they’d done the best they could. They’d done their duty. Had her birth mom lived, who knew what might have happened in Felicity’s life?
“We’re here,” Leo said, breaking into her thoughts.
Felicity looked out the window to see the house lit up, the windows glowing yellow, and Halloween decorations on the porch.
Leo squeezed her hand. “Are you okay?”
She looked over at him. “I’m great.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Good.” Leo released her hand, then climbed out to walk around the car and open her door.
She put her hand in his, and he pulled her to her feet. They were standing toe to toe, which made not kissing him impossible. So she stole the smallest of kisses. “Thank you, Leo.”
“For what?” he asked.
“For including me in your family,” she said. “And for loving me.”
He grinned and drew her close. She nestled against him, reveling in the moment.
“Come inside and get warm,” a woman said from the front porch.
Felicity knew it was Leo’s mom, but Leo kept her close, so she couldn’t look over at the house.
“I think they’re warm enough,” another voice said—this one a man’s.
“They’re definitely warm,” a younger woman said.
“Are they coming in, Mom?” a kid asked.
When Leo final released Felicity, she found they had quite the audience. It appeared that the entire Russo family, kids and all, had gathered onto the front porch.
“Is that her, Auntie?” one of the kids asked.
“Yes, but it’s not polite to point.”
Felicity found herself smiling back at the curious faces. Most of them had dark hair and olive skin like Leo, but there were variations too.
“Did you bring your gun, Uncle Leo?” one of the young boys asked.
Leo grasped Felicity’s hand. “Ready?” he said under his breath.
“I think so,” Felicity said.
He squeezed her hand, and they walked toward the porch.
“Let them through,” his mother said, and one person shifted. But the others remained in place, and Leo began introductions to those she hadn’t met at the hospital.
Felicity had heard their names before, and various stories about each, but right now, it was all a blur. Leo kept a firm hold of her hand, and soon they were surrounded by questions, laughter, some hugs, a few kisses on the cheek, and Felicity’s mind spun. In a good way.
She didn’t feel like an outsider, or a stranger. She felt as if she belonged to this large and energetic family.
“Come see Dad,” Leo’s mom told him. “He’s been asking for you.”
“He has?” Leo said.
“He’s had a good day,” his mom said, triumph in her voice.
So Felicity walked with Leo down the hallway that led to the master bedroom. Inside the room, Leo’s dad was sitting up in bed, propped up by several pillows. His mouth lifted into a slight smile when Leo spoke.
“Hi, Dad,” Leo said. “Mom says you’re having a good day.”
His dad’s mouth moved, and then the words came, delayed as they were. “Leo. How . . . how are you?”
“I’m fine, Dad,” Leo grasped his dad’s hand. “Remember Felicity? You met her a couple of weeks ago.”
His dad slowly shifted his eyes, and when his gaze landed on Felicity, she smiled.
“H-hello,” Mr. Russo said. “Welcome.”
A lump swelled in Felicity’s throat. This man had many challenges, yet his inherent nature was kind.
“Would you like anything, Dad?” Leo asked. “Are you hungry?”
“No,” he said. “I-I’m not hungry. I want to hear about y-your girl.”
Felicity felt her face warm.
“Okay,” Leo said. “Felicity has talked me into reading more. She’s making me broaden my education.”
“Hardly,” Felicity said, nudging him. “You nap while I read.”
“True.” Leo grinned down at her. “Those are the best kinds of naps, though.”
“You probably shouldn’t flirt with me in front of your dad,” Felicity whispered.
Leo didn’t stop smiling. “I can’t help it.”
“Dinner’s ready,” his mom said, coming into the bedroom. She looked from Leo to Felicity. “Well, don’t you two look cozy?”
Felicity and Leo were standing close together, and she had one hand on his arm.
“She’s a special girl,” his dad said, and Felicity realized he was talking to Leo.
“Don’t let h-her get away,” his dad continued.
Felicity’s eyes widened. Was Mr. Russo rambling, or was he fully lucid?
“I’m not planning on it,” Leo said.
“Good.” His dad patted Leo’s hand. “It’s g-good to see you happy, son.”
Leo nodded. Then he drew Felicity to his side and kissed the top of her head. “I am happy, Dad. And it’s good to talk to you again.”
Mr. Russo blinked back tears, and Felicity felt her own tears starting.
Leo’s mom approached the bed and kissed her husband’s cheek. “I’ll bring you something to eat in a few minutes. Do you want us to move you to the living room?”
“No,” Mr. Russo said. “I’m feeling tired again.”
Mrs. Russo nodded. “All right, dear.”
Felicity leaned against Leo as she watched the loving interaction between Leo’s parents. Neither of their lives were easy right now, yet the love and care in this room was tangible.
It was what Felicity wanted too.
She didn’t know how she’d been so lucky to find Leo. Or perhaps he’d found her. Whatever the case, however many days they had in their future together, she didn’t plan on ever letting him go.
She slipped her hand into Leo’s as they followed his mom out of the bedroom, feeling her heart overflow with gratitude.
Mrs. Russo led the way down the hall toward the kitchen, where conversation and laughter abounded.
Leo squeezed Felicity’s hand, and that squeeze moved all the way to her heart.
She was ready, Felicity decided. To not be alone anymore. To put her hollow past behind her. And to become a full part of Leo’s life.