Page 117 of Paradigm

“Deal,” Eline replied and pressed her face to Arlowe’s chest, breathing her in. “But you have got to stop stealing my shirts.”

“That’s cute,” Arlowe told her, chuckling, and rubbed Eline’s arms up and down. “We live together now, baby. Your shirts are my shirts.”

Eline laughed before she pulled Arlowe in for another long hug.

“I missed you so much,” she said.

“And I’m hoping you never have to miss me again,” Arlowe replied. “But we should continue this hug at home, and maybe horizontally, without clothes on, because it’s been too long since I’ve touched you.” Arlowe kissed her neck. “You wouldn’t let me come back for a visit.”’

“You were too busy.”

Eline pulled out of the embrace just as a buzzer sounded, indicating that a luggage carousel was about to deposit some flight’s luggage, possibly hers.

“I know, but it’s been seven weeks.” Arlowe pressed her lips to Eline’s, gave her a brief kiss, and pulled back only an inch. “I missed you.”

“Me too,” she replied before going in for another kiss. “Let’s get my bags. Then, we can go.”

“Home,” Arlowe reminded.

“Yes, my love. Then, we can go home.”

◆◆◆

About an hour and a half later, Arlowe pulled up to the house, where Eline saw her car parked on the street. Arlowe parked in the driveway, popped the trunk, and they worked together to get her three large bags to the front door, where Arlowe held something out to her in a closed hand.

“What’s that?”

Arlowe opened her hand and replied, “Your key. This is your house now, too.”

Eline smiled, took the key from her, unlocked the door, and Arlowe nodded for her to walk in.

“Shit. They’re here,” Sarai said, or at least, Eline thought it was Sarai.

She couldn’t actually see her or anyone else in the living room that looked exactly the same as the day she’d left. Arlowe walked in behind her, carrying one of the bags, and then Eline saw Sarai and Gabi emerge from the kitchen.

“Hey. Welcome home!” Gabi said.

“Gabi?” Arlowe asked.

“Hi. Yes, this wasn’t my idea.”

“What wasn’t your idea?” Arlowe asked her, dragging a second bag in.

“We’re all here,” Sarai said. “Violet and Stella, too. Enya’s out back, setting the table.”

“For what?” Arlowe asked, hoisting the third bag inside while Eline just stood there, unable to move because this was her home now.

It was her home with Arlowe. Yes, they had a roommate, and they wanted to get a place of their own when they could, but she was finally home, and Arlowe was right there next to her.

“Just a welcome-home dinner,” Sarai replied.

“What?” Arlowe closed the door behind them. “I told you guys that we could do something tomorrow.”

“We know,” Violet said, walking up behind Sarai. “But Stella and I have a dinner for her work tomorrow night, and we wanted to welcome Eline home.”

“Yeah, so did I, and not with a dinner,” Arlowe stated through gritted teeth.

Eline looked over at her and ran her hand into Arlowe’s hair.