Page 138 of Let's Get Textual

He smirks. “Is that their name from now on?”

“Would I call them anything else?”

“I couldn’t imagine you coming up with anything even semi-normal.”

“Should I be insulted by that?”

He pulls me closer to him and wraps an arm around my waist. “Not even a little bit. Did I mention I missed you?”

“I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing it again.”

I’m drawn even closer, his lips hovering only centimeters away from mine.

“I missed you, Delia.”

I sigh. “Say it again.”

“I missed—”

I crush my lips to his and show him exactly how much I missed him. Our kiss is unhurried, yet passionate. There’s no tongue, no pressing for more. It’s simple and heated all at once.

Finally, I feel whole again.

“I could love you one day, Zach,” I whisper against his mouth.

“I think it’s too late for me, Delia.”

Epilogue

“Ican’t believeyou convinced me to spend Christmas with your family after our last holiday debacle.”

“Hey, the holiday part of the trip was fine. It was our asshole son who ruined it afterward,” Jack says, setting two mugs of hot cocoa in front of us. “Sorry about that again.”

“Stop apologizing, please.”

“Sorry.”

“Ah, a true smartass—like father, like son,” Rose says from her perch on the couch.

Zach and I have been nearly inseparable since our reunion in early December. While it’s technically the new year now, we decided to have a real Christmas with his family when Shep wasn’t around.

“Thank you again for making a special Christmas just for us, Mom. We appreciate it.”

“Don’t thank me, just enjoy it. After everything you two have gone through, you deserve it. Besides, I can’t wait to see Delia’s reaction to your gift, Zach.”

She winks at him while I glare.

To say he’s been secretive about my gift would be an understatement. I’ve received exactly zero hints. Zoe knows. Robbie knows. Hismotherknows. Everyone but me knows.

Which I guess is the way surprise works, huh?

“How are the pajamas, Rose? Comfy?”

“Oh dear, don’t even get me started.”

“Zach? Jack? How do they feel for you?”

They both grunt and I chuckle.