“Pop tried to pitch me the idea of us doing a reality show about living together.” Stone rolled his eyes upward. “I told him I’d think about it, but if he ever brings it up to you, the answer is no. I’m sick of cameras watching our every move.”
“At least there are no paparazzi in Alaska.”
“Why do you think I like it here so much?”
“Ha.” Gina hugged him and stayed quiet, listening to the sounds of the wind outside the house, the water bubbling on the stove, and the fire crackling in the hearth facing the sofa. The aroma of peppers and onions mixed with the smoky, earthy scent of the burning firewood—Stone would know what type of wood it was, and maybe one day, she would, too—but underlying it all was the scent of pine and fresh air.
The new scent of home.
The warmth of Stone’s body enveloped her, and the fabric of his gray Henley was soft under her cheek.Bronx Girlwas a success, and Gina’s contract had been extended. Her understudy was handling the role now, so Gina could spend time in Alaska organizing the house before winter set in. Stone warned her it arrived early. They’d head back to New York in a few days, so Gina could go back to playing Meli on stage—still a dream come true, and she loved every minute of it—and so Stone could walk the runways for Fall Fashion Week. As it turned out, all the dancing had made him a stunner on the catwalk, and the attention amplified the reach of his preservation work.
“I love you,” Gina murmured into his chest.
“I’m sorry, could you say that again?” Stone shifted her so he could look her in the eye. “I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
She scowled at him. “Stop making such a big deal about it.”
“No, I’m going to make a very big deal about this. My girlfriend has finally stopped qualifying the L word with ‘I think.’ I’m going to take out an ad in the goddamnNew York Times.”
She flicked a finger against his rock-hard pecs. “Oh, stop it.”
“Nope.” Stone cupped her face in one hand and kissed her slowly, until her body heated from more than the crackling fire. “You love me. I’m going to remember this day for the rest of my life.”
“Just remember who we have to thank.” Gina cut her eyes to the pair of gaudy glitter-and-rhinestone-encrusted trophies resting on the center of the mantel, glowing golden in the light of the fire and the rays of the setting sun streaming through the big windows behind them.
Stone raised an imaginary glass in a toast. “Fucking Donna.”
Gina laughed and lifted her hand to toast as well. “Indeed. Cheers to you, Fucking Donna.”
They clinked their imaginary glasses, pretended to sip, and then proceeded to break in the new sofa.
They almost forgot about the pasteles.
