“I have a new couch coming as well.” She bit down on her lower lip and looked up at me with wide eyes.

“You have a new couch coming?” I asked her with a grin, laughing at her joke.

“I’m not joking, TJ.” She giggled. “Don’t be mad.”

“You seriously have a new couch coming?” I asked her, my eyes searching hers and I could tell from her expression that she was dead serious. “What’s wrong with my couch?”

“Leather? Dark, sticky leather?” She made a face. “So unattractive.”

“It’s comfortable.” I shrugged, still not quite believing that she’d actually purchased a new couch. That was a huge purchase and I really felt taken aback. I’d never expected Mila to get that comfortable in my place. I liked it and hated it both at the same time.

“It’s not cute, though.” She wrinkled her nose as she looked over at my most prized piece of furniture. “And there are no throw pillows.”

“It’s soft enough to not need throw pillows,” I said and looked at my couch longingly. “Plus, we have an alpaca throw blanket now. Isn’t that enough?”

“No, TJ.” She giggled and shook her head.

“When will it be leaving my abode?” I asked mournfully, wondering if I could hold some sort of funeral for the couch before it left. And the funeral would consist of us having sex on the couch in multiple positions. That would partially make up for her replacing it.

“Hopefully this weekend.” She looked at me nervously. “I told the store we’d pay extra for a fast delivery of the new sectional.”

“You did, did you?” I raised an eyebrow at her. What had happened to the girl who was too timid to use my credit card? She’d obviously disappeared. I was going to make a comment, but I stopped myself. I had a feeling if I made a joke, she’d take it self-consciously and then maybe she really would stop using the card. Which I didn’t want. I liked that she felt comfortable enough with me now to not call me every time she wanted to charge twenty dollars for some silly purchase. I had plenty of money and I was happy for her to use it.

“Yeah, I wanted it to arrive in time for the dinner party. Make our home look more cozy to everyone.” She gave me a winning smile.

“Are you saying our home isn’t cozy?” I asked her and she smirked at me. I saw her smiling and realized that I’d said “our home,” as opposed to “my home.” It was weird that I was starting to think of this as our home now. I wasn’t sure how it was going to feel when she moved out. How cozy and homey all her little knick-knacks would feel once she was gone. I’d most probably pack them up into a box and take them to Goodwill. I wouldn’t want to be reminded of her time here. Not once everything came out. It would remind me too much of all I’d lost.

“What do you think, TJ?” she said and then shrieked and ran back to the kitchen.

“What’s going on?” I followed behind her and watched as she hurriedly opened the oven door.

“I’m roasting some potatoes and I didn’t want them to burn.” She pulled out a tray from the oven and placed them on top of the stove. “You like herb-roasted potatoes, right?” She turned to me with a sweet smile. “I remember you used to scarf them down when you’d come over. My mom used to call you the potato monster.”

“She did, didn’t she?” I laughed as I remembered all of the meals that I’d eaten with her family. I’d never thought that one day, we’d be here and she’d be cooking for me. “Her potatoes were the bomb.”

“Yeah, so are mine, though.” Mila laughed.

“As long as you don’t burn them.” I winked at her. “Your mom would never burn them.”

“Shh, you.” She grabbed a towel and swatted me with it as she laughed. “If you keep insulting me, you won’t get any dinner.”

“Hmm, let me hear what’s for dinner, first.” I raised an eyebrow at her. “Then I’ll decide if I want to keep insulting you.”

“You’re incorrigible.” She giggled. “I’m making a roast chicken, with roast potatoes, gravy, Brussels sprouts and carrots.”

“Sounds delicious.” I licked my lips.

“And an apple pie with ice cream for dessert.”

“Okay, I’m sold. No more insults.” I paused. “For the day.”

“TJ Walker.” She laughed. “Come on now.”

“Come on now, what?” I grinned. “What are you going to make for the dinner party?”

“I’m not sure yet, but I was thinking of grilling some steaks.”

“Steaks are always good.” I nodded. “Who’s coming, again?”

“Sally and Cody,” she said as she closed the oven door and went to the fridge.

“What about your parents?” I asked. “And Nonno.”

“Nah, didn’t invite them,” she said with a shake of her head. “We can have them over soon.”

“Have you spoken to Nonno recently?” I asked hesitantly.

“Not really.” She shook her head again. “I’ve been busy.”

“So you’ve not seen him, either?” I frowned, my heart feeling heavy. I was the one who was keeping her from him.

“No, I’ll see him soon.” She smiled at me. “I’ve been busy trying to turn this place into a real home. Maybe we’ll have my folks over and your dad.”

“Yeah.” Over my dead body.

“And is your dad seeing anyone? We can invite his latest paramour as well.” She giggled. “I swear that man goes through women like some women go through underwear.”

“I’m not sure what he’s doing right now or if he’s still dating the same lady, or one or more ladies.” My mind immediately flew to Barbie and I could feel myself growing uncomfortable. What would Mila say if I told her that Barbie was sleeping with my dad? If I just dropped it casually into the conversation like it was no big thing, would she react as if it were no big thing? Would she smile and say, “Oh really? That’s funny. Wow, Barbie really gets around.” I half-smiled as that thought crossed my mind. Yeah, right. There was no way that my Mila would ever act that calmly. She’d go quiet first, thinking about what I’d said and then when she processed everything and realized she’d heard correctly, she would lose it. Maybe she’d start shouting. Maybe she’d cry. But I knew that she’d be anything but calm and accepting. That was not a small lie that I could just sweep under the rug.

“Aw, yeah, who can keep up with him,” she said as she took out a bag of Brussels sprouts from the fridge. “Do you have any kosher salt?” she asked me as she started rinsing the sprouts in the sink and scrubbing them.

“I have salt.” I shrugged. “I have no idea what kosher salt is. I’m not Jewish.”

“Oh, TJ.” She rolled her eyes at me. “Pass me the olive oil and black pepper and all the different salts that you have. I’ll check.”

“All what different salts?” I laughed. “I have one regular salt and that’s it.”

“Fine.” She sighed. “Just pass me that as well, then.”

“Yes, boss.” I saluted her and she laughed. “What’s all this for?”

“The Brussels sprouts,” she said and held up the bowl she was holding. “I’m going to roast them with the seasonings. It will be delicious. Trust me.”

“I’m sure everything you make is delicious,” I said. “Just like you.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” She winked at me. “Joke, it will get you nowhere.”

“Damn it.” I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her towards me. “I want it to get me any and everywhere.”

“Sorry about your luck.” She giggled as she wriggled away from me.

“Oh yeah?” I leaned down and nibbled on the top of her ear as I brought her ass back up against me so she could feel my hardness.

“TJ, I’m cooking.”

“So?” I laughed and kept my arms around her, moving them up to her breasts and gently squeezed them. “Didn’t you know that kitchen sex was good for you?”

“Oh?” She giggled again and she moaned as I squeezed her nipples.

“Yeah, it’s like a workout before pigging out. Burn those calories early.”

“Hmm, are you calling me fat?” she said and then laughed as I froze. “Got ya.”

“Mila,” I murmured, laughing with her as I turned her around to face me. “I don’t care how fat you are.”