We finish lugging the last of Cole’s boxes into the apartment. He’s left a lot behind, and given a lot away. He’s put his awards and headlines into storage and brought little more than his clothes and photography equipment. His things fit into the apartment like they were here the whole time.

By the time we’ve finished unpacking, everything looks the same, except it’s not, because this time, Cole isn’t leaving.

“Wow,” I say, looking around at the tidy apartment. “I expected it to feel like more of a dramatic change.”

“That’s my trick: I sneak up on you. Before you know it, you won’t know how you ever lived without me.”

“I hope that’s how it goes. You finish up, I’ll get dinner going. Maybe we can open a bottle of wine to celebrate. After all, moving in is a big step.”

Not as big as marriage, but still.

Cole grins and stretches his arms above his head with a contented sigh. He follows me into the kitchen, and wraps his arms around my waist, kissing my neck. “This is more how I imagined it.”

“Imagined what?”

“Marriage.”

I laugh. “Me, too.”

“We have a flow now that we didn’t used to have. Do you know what I mean?”

“I think I do.” I twist my head to kiss him on his lips. “You should finish unpacking—by the time you’re done, dinner will be ready.”

I work on making food as Cole finishes unpacking the last of his odds and ends. He puts his toiletries in my bathroom and adds a few souvenir knick-knacks to my bookshelf of souvenirs. He hangs his shirts up in my closet next to my dresses and puts his smartphone dock on the nightstand on his side of the bed.

A tingle of excitement spreads through me as I consider that Cole has an official side of the bed. He’s here to stay.

Cole appears in the kitchen as I’m about to serve dinner—lemon chicken and rosemary potatoes. “That smells amazing.”

I grin. “You can start getting used to home-cooked dinners.”

“You’re spoiling me.”

“Not really. You’ll be in charge of changing light bulbs and cleaning plugged drains.”

“I’ll take that deal.”

I serve the food, and we sit together at the breakfast bar. I’ve seen a lot of Cole since we started dating again, but I’m suddenly full of nerves. I’m aware of the fact that we’re at the beginning of our next adventure, and my heart is racing. There’s been a shift in our relationship status; we’ve gone from dating to cohabiting. It’s a huge and wonderful step.

He’s wearing a pair of indoor lounge pants and a tight white T-shirt that shows off his muscular arms. I let my gaze linger on those muscles and then move up to his handsome, chiseled face. A frisson runs through me. He’s all mine and going nowhere.

“This is life now.”

Cole grins. “Yup.”

He takes a big bite of roast potatoes, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. This is what he was talking about—special little moments.

After dinner, we pick a movie and curl up together on my sofa. I nestle as close to Cole as I can. His body is warm and firm, and his arms close around me like clockwork.

Before we press “play,” Cole stops the movie. “There’s one thing I forgot to unpack.” He leaves the room for a moment and returns with a thick pile of brochures and magazines.

“What’s that?”

Cole lays his collection down on the coffee table. “They’re college brochures.”

“Why?”

He turns to me and rests his hand on my knee affectionately. He meets my eye with an earnest gaze. “I’ve done a lot of thinking since we came back into each other’s lives. I know last time we were together, it was all about me and my ambitions. If we’re doing this again, then it’s your turn. If you want to go to school, then I’ll support you all the way.”

I’m touched. My heart flutters with gratitude, and I lean forward to kiss him deeply, my palm resting against the stubble on his jaw. “Cole, you’re so sweet, but I don’t need this. Honestly, I’m happy now. The bank isn’t where I expected to be, but I’ve done well there, and I have good friends. I’m content with my life.”

He grips my hand. “I feel like I took something from you when I proposed. I took it for granted that you’d support me, and I didn’t return the favor. I’m ready to make that right.”

I shake my head. “You don’t need to. You’re here, and I’m happy.”

“If you’re happy, then I’m happy. I want you to know, though, that I’m ready to step up when you need me. No more butting heads. We’re a team.”

I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. “I love you.”

* * *

I spot Lena sitting in our usual spot at Latte Latte, and I rush over to her. She stands to greet me, and I barrel into her for a hug.

“I’m so sorry you haven’t seen much of me. I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to this. Let me get you a coffee. Cake?”

“Of course. What do I look like?”

I grab us both a latte and a slice of chocolate Guinness cake, and we sit down to catch up. Lena’s had some lowlights put into her hair and is wearing a new purplish eyeshadow.

“Ooh, you look nice! I like the hair.”

“I was going to suggest you come to the salon with me, but someone was enjoying their moving day.”

I laugh. “Next time. I promise.”

“I guess you better tell me all about it then. I can tell you’re dying to. How are things with Cole? How’s living with him?”

I take a deep, joyful breath that lifts my shoulders to my ears, and I beam, lifting my hands up when I struggle to find the words. “Amazing.”

Lena smiles. “I’ve got to admit it—you’re glowing. You don’t have any other little surprises for us, have you?” She glances down at my stomach, and I respond with a playful nudge.

“I’m not pregnant. Just happy.” I press my fork down into my cake and spoon the crumby goodness into my mouth. I thought I was at one hundred percent utter contentment, but the cake pushes it over the edge. Every criticism Lena throws my way is like water off a duck’s back. And criticize she does. “You know, I’m worried it’s too soon. You’ve only just found each other again.”

I nod. “I know.”

“You’re going in with your eyes open?”

I let out a long breath and sink back into the sofa, my eyes glazing over with contentment. I shrug. “I don’t know how to explain it. I was prepared to hold him at arm’s length and take it slow, but then I find myself falling for him all over again. He’s really changed, Lena.”

“How much does anybody ever change?”

“When we first returned to the US, Cole chose the apartment and which part of town. He chose where we got married and when. He decided that he’d pursue photography and then I’d go to school later. I mean, it’s not like I said no to any of those things—I was always happy to go along with anything Cole wanted, and I have to accept responsibility for that. But now, he wouldn’t dream of making a decision without making sure I was one hundred percent happy. When he suggested we move in, he didn’t think twice about moving into my place. Then he hands me all these college brochures and tells me he’s ready to step up and support me for a change.”

Lena raises her eyebrows. “Sounds like he’s come to his senses and realizes he took you for granted.”

“Maybe. He’s grown up. He’s more sensitive, less selfish. Without all that journalism stuff clouding the air, it’s like he can actually see me. In fact, he makes me feel like the only woman in the world.”

I take a sip of my latte and finish off my cake. I gather the last crumbs on my thumb and suck them off, then sit back, feeling full and completely relaxed, despite Lena’s warnings.

“It’s early days yet. It’s easy to be a perfect person for a short stint.”

“I get why you’re so cynical, but you have to remember how long ago it was when we were married.”

She softens a little. “I know. It was a long time ago.”

I squeeze her hand. “Anyway, enough about me. Tell me what’s going on with you.”

Lena fills me in on her business and the next holiday she and James are planning. She tells me about all the gossip that she overheard in the salon, and bitches for a while about a member of her staff who’s stirring up trouble.

“Wow.” I laugh. “Sounds like it’s all good.”

“It is. Things are moving for you, too.”

“At last. I can’t tell you how glad I am that Cole’s back in my life.”

“You don’t need to. It’s written all over your face.”

“I really think that this time it’s for keeps.”

“Let’s hope so, Sophie. I really do want you to be happy.”

We finish out catch-up and hug each other goodbye. I know that Lena is suspicious of Cole and less ready to believe that he’s really changed, but I know in my heart that this time, things will be different.