Page 59 of Stuffed

Later, with both of us full of pizza and surprisingly decent snack cakes, Espresso purring contentedly between us, I realize something. This is what happiness feels like. Real, uncomplicated, perfect happiness.

"What are you thinking about?" Tessa asks softly. I'm playing with her hair, loving how she fits against me.

"How right this feels." I pull her closer. "You, me, Espresso… it's better than I imagined."

"Yeah?" She tilts her head up to look at me. "Even with burned dinner and packaged snack cakes?"

"Especially with those." I kiss her gently.

"Merry Christmas, bad boy." She grins. "Though your reputation might be in trouble once people find out you're actually a big softie who rescued a cat."

"That's our secret." But I'm smiling as Espresso makes himself comfortable across our laps. "Though, I suppose some secrets are worth sharing."

We drift off together as snow falls outside, Christmas lights twinkling, Espresso's purrs a soothing rhythm. Just before sleep claims me completely, I whisper, "Thank you for giving me something real to believe in."

I wake up sometime in the early morning hours, Tessa curled into my side and Espresso stretched across both our legs. The Christmas tree lights cast soft shadows across her face, and I find myself memorizing every detail—the way her lashes fan against her cheeks, how her lips curve slightly even in sleep, the complete trust in how deeply she rests against me.

"You're staring," she murmurs without opening her eyes.

"Can't help it." I brush her hair back. "You're beautiful."

She blinks sleepily up at me. "What time is it?"

"Early." I glance at my phone. "Just after five."

"Mmm." She snuggles closer. "Remember when you used to get up this early to work?"

"Still do sometimes." I kiss her temple. "Old habits."

"Not today, though." She props herself up on my chest. "Today you're staying right here with us."

Espresso chooses that moment to stretch dramatically, digging his claws into my thigh before readjusting himself.

"See?" Tessa laughs. "He agrees."

"Like father, like son—completely wrapped around your finger."

Her expression softens. "I like that."

"What?"

"Like father, like son. It sounds… permanent."

"It is." I pull her closer. "All of this is. You, me, Espresso… it's forever, Tessa."

"Yeah?" Her voice gets small, vulnerable. "Even when the world finds out this ruthless CEO son is actually a big softie who rescues cats and builds homeless shelters?"

"Especially then." I tilt her chin up. "Because that's who I really am. Who I've always been, underneath all the walls and masks. And you saw that, even back in high school."

"I did." She traces patterns on my chest. "Though I have to admit, finding out about Espresso might be my favorite revelation yet."

"Just wait." I grin. "There's more where that came from."

"Oh?" She sits up straighter. "More secrets, Mr. Mercer?"

"Maybe." I catch her hand, kissing her palm. "Though none as devastating to my reputation as being a cat dad."

"I don't know…" She pretends to think. "The homeless shelter might give it a run for its money. The big bad businessman with a heart of gold?"

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