Page 88 of Wild Nights

"Do you have cookies and hot chocolate?" Joey asked.

"I do, actually." I led the way into my kitchen.

"I thought you weren't going to do a big Christmas this year." Oliver gestured at the platter of cookies covered with a cake lid.

"This is my version of a small Christmas."

Oliver lifted the lid, and Joey leaned over to grab a cookie.

Oliver shook his head. "I'm a little scared to see what your big Christmas is."

"Stick around. Maybe you'll find out," I teased as I heated more milk for hot chocolate.

Oliver's gaze heated. "I plan to do that."

Joey reached for a second cookie. "I'm gonna stick around too. I like your cookies."

I laughed. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."

We sat down in front of the TV to watch a movie, and Joey was out in seconds. I helped Oliver get him settled in the guest room, the one that used to be Ginny's.

When we returned to the couch, Oliver pulled me into his arms. "I've been wanting to do that since we got here."

"You were being careful of Joey."

"He knows we want to date, and he knows what that means. As much as any six-year-old can."

"He's okay with it?"

"He missed you. He wants to spend more time with you." Oliver sighed, and I lifted my head so I could see his face. "I know this is unexpected, and there were rules."

"Rules are meant to be broken," I said quietly.

"Are you sure you're okay with this? You live in Maine. I live in Colorado."

"How were you thinking it would work?" I asked him.

His brow furrowed. "I could move here and do my work remotely."

"I couldn't ask you to do that. Your family's in Colorado. It's what Joey's used to."

"I love that you're thinking of him. It's one of the things that I love about you. The other possibility is that you make Telluride your home base. I know you travel a lot?—"

"I love that idea. It's what I was thinking too. I can find a place to rent for a while."

"You can stay in one of the family condos at the lodge until we decide to move in together. I want to ease Joey into this."

"That sounds good." I was filled with warmth knowing that we were moving forward.

Oliver tipped his head to the side. "Are you sure you don't mind moving?"

"I was planning on selling this place anyway. I bought it thinking I'd live here with Ginny, but without her, it doesn't make sense for me anymore. I wasn't sure where I was going to make my home base. But I hoped it would be with you."

"We're here for a few days. Then I was hoping you'd come back to Telluride."

"Let me get this house ready for sale. Then I can join you. My work can be done from anywhere, and I've been planning to hire someone to assist me in the New Year."

"That's fantastic."

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