Page 129 of Love Decoded

With perfect timing, His Highness wakes from his nap in the hammock of the cat tree and jumps down into a stretch. Blinking slowly, he sits in front of us, his tail curling around his feet.

“Ten bucks he destroys the Chia Pet the first night,” I murmur out of the corner of my mouth.

Charli drops her face into my chest with a giggle. I’ll never get tired of that sound.

“Thank you for my present,” I tell her, pressing a kiss to her head. “You didn’t have to get me anything, but thank you.”

She peeks up at me with a smile, her chin propped on my chest. “You’re welcome. You’re kind of hard to shop for, but I wanted to mark the occasion.” Her voice softens. “I’m just really proud of you.”

Christ. My heart is about to burst from my chest.

I swallow past the lump in my throat, choked with emotion. “That’s the only present I need, baby girl. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

And then I kiss her, because I can’t not kiss her.

She’s everything I didn’t know I needed.

CHARLI’S EPILOGUE

When a knock on the door interrupts us, Lucas drops his face to my neck. “Abysmal timing,” he groans. Then he nips my shoulder in annoyance.

I yelp and push him away. “You’re just mad you have to wait to fuck me.”

He grins. “What a dirty mouth you have.”

I hop off the counter and walk toward the front door. “I learned from the best,” I call over my shoulder.

When I reach the door, I open it to find Scarlett and Nico. “Hey,” I greet, still a little awkwardly. Despite seeing Lucas’s family often, having friends is still new for me.

“Hi,” Scarlett says with a small smile.

“Happy Game Night,” Nico says with a grin. “I hope you guys are ready to get your asses kicked in Monopoly.”

I quirk an eyebrow as I close the door behind them. “That’s just the concussions talking.”

“Not to mention, we’re not playing Monopoly,” Lucas calls out. “You threw such a tantrum last time that we lost half of the players. We’re playing charades tonight.”

Nico mutters a curse. “I suck at charades.”

Lucas salutes Scarlett. “Guess the family game night trophy is all in your hands, Scar.”

Scarlett takes Nico’s hand and weaves their fingers together. “I’ll happily bear that burden.”

Nico doesn’t even bother to hide his smile as he nears the kitchen. “So, are we doing couple teams then? I know Mom and Dad are coming. Is Alexander off work tonight?”

Lucas checks his watch. “Should be. I’ll get his ETA in a minute.” He looks at Nico. “Can I show you something real quick? I had an idea for the gym that I thought you might appreciate. It’s in my office.”

“Yeah, of course.” Nico leans over to kiss Scarlett’s cheek. “Be right back, Red.”

I watch the brothers walk off, as Lucas blows a kiss at me that makes me roll my eyes with a smile.

“You guys are so cute,” Scarlett comments beside me. “I meant to ask you last time we were over, but have you started apartment hunting yet? It’s hard imagining Lucas living somewhere smaller scale.”

“I know, I’ve thought the same thing.” I chuckle as I pull two waters from the fridge, sliding one over to Scarlett. “And yeah, we’ve been looking a little bit, just to see what’s out there. He’s surprisingly not as picky as I thought he would be.” A smile pulls at my lips as I share, “I’m excited. To find a place that’s ours.”

“I totally get that. And with you really settling down here and creating a home base, it’s important that you feel like it’s just as much yours too. I’m excited to see where you guys end up.” Scarlett smiles, her expression softening. “I know I’ve said it before, but I’m so glad you found each other.”

My chest warms, thankful for this new life I’ve let myself make. With Lucas, but also with people like Scarlett.