Page 105 of Reluctant Chemistry

Luka:Nothing much. I’m about to have a beer and turn on Netflix. You?

When his doorbell rang, he put down his beer and phone on the side table. His brow creasing in a frown, he stepped into the foyer and peered through the peephole, surprised to see a mass of dark curly hair. Luka opened his front door. “What are you doing here?”

“You invited me.”

He scooped CeCe up and carried her inside, and as he set her on her feet, his lips found her neck as usual. “Does that mean I can open my present?”

“Not the one under the tree.”

* * *

Thanks to Tayla going into labor just before lunch and delivering a baby girl nine hours later, their Christmas Eve didn’t quite go as planned. The entire family congregated at the hospital, and CeCe and Luka finally made it home around ten, elated but exhausted.

The Christmas tree lights bathed the living room in a dreamy glow, and as he held her in his arms and kissed her, Luka’s tension drained away. “Let’s open our presents before we go to bed.”

“Okay.”

They grabbed their presents from under the tree and sat beside one another on the wide hearth of the fireplace.

“May I go first?” CeCe asked. “I have something I want to say.”

“Sure.”

She handed him the box. “I had no idea what to get the man with everything. So before going to sleep a few nights ago, I put it out to the universe.”

Luka shook his head and grinned. “Some days, you sound alarmingly like my mother.”

“Anyway, I love you with every single breath, and as soon as I decided, I knew I’d chosen the perfect gift.”

He kissed her, his arms loose around her neck. “Thank you.” His hands worked the bow and then the paper. The flat box inside looked like it might contain a wallet or cuff links. But when he opened it and saw the peace symbol, he smiled at her and shook his head. “A key?”

She smiled back. “Yes, to the Kombi. I want to share it with you.”

Luka’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“I don’t know what to say. Can I sleep in it when you get moody?”

“Sure. That’s what it’s there for. But I don’t get moody too often.”

He chuckled and handed her his gift. It was a similar size to hers, and it amused him how they were on the same wavelength. CeCe tore away the paper without restraint and peered into the box, her expression unreadable. She frowned. “A key as well? What’s it for?”

“This house. I want to share it with you. You can sleep in it when I’m in the Kombi—and any other night you choose.”

Her frown deepened. “You’re asking me to move in?”

“Not tonight, obviously, but maybe on Boxing Day.”

“But that’s the day after tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I know. I thought it was about time.” He smoothed a lock of hair from her face. “Are you keen?”

“Can I bring Pixie?”

“Of course.”

CeCe flung her arms around his neck. “Then I’m more than keen. But are you sure?”

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