The bell over the door announced someone’s entrance into the bookstore.

Just loud enough to be heard at the front counter over the cappuccino machine and other sounds from the café in the back of the store but not so loud that it disturbed the readers lounging around in various chairs.

I glance up from the book I have propped up on the counter, teacup partially raised.

OH!

This is surprising.

“LG!”

Still so loud.

I’m pulled into a tight hug as soon as I am out from behind the counter.

“Don’t suffocate him pup. I doubt his Mate will take it well.”

The excitable retriever glares at his much calmer Mate.

“I’d never hurt LG.”

Gabe squeezes me once more and goes back to lean against Archer.

I can’t help but smile at my old friends.

“When did you two get back into town?”

“Just now! LG, it was the best honeymoon! 4 weeks in the jungle! I’ve never seen Archer’s panther so happy! He climbed ALL the trees! I got to run so much. There were so many animals and things to see. I don’t know if we even saw half of everything that was there. Maybe we co…..”

Somethings never change, even after all these years.

Archer had, once again, slipped his hand over Gabe’s mouth to cut off his rambling.

“We thought we’d stop in and see if you and Nuka are free for dinner later.”

Nuka would like that.

I know he’s missed his best friends.

They were too deep in the Amazon for cell phones to work and Nuka said he wouldn’t have disturbed their honeymoon if they had worked.

“Of course, we’re free for dinner with you. Just text us where to meet you around 7.”

“Great! We need to go unpack! Later LG!”

With another hug, Gabe and Archer are gone as quick as they came.

Picking up my teacup I resettle on my stool behind the counter.

My part-timer should be here soon.

Then I can go pry Nuka away from his work.

******

Watching Nuka work is becoming a habit.

He’s standing in front of a waist high table in an old sleeveless t-shirt and jeans, wedging clay.

Working it like he was kneading bread dough.

I just watch as he manipulates the clay.

Manipulating it over and over before shaping it into spheres.

He does this again and again.

His movements smooth and steady.

Practiced and controlled.

I don’t say anything.

Just watch.

Unwilling to break his concentration.

It’s mesmerizing.

A deep chuckle interrupting my thoughts.

“If you keep staring Little Genius, you’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

He smiles over his shoulder at me.

And winks.

With that smile.

I feel my face get warm.

5 years.

I’m still blushing.

Nuka picks me up onto one of his work benches, his hands on my checks, his forehead pressed to mine.

I barely even saw him move.

“You have clay on your hands.”

Nuka smirks as he kisses me.

“And now you have it on your face.”

He’s getting clay all over me.

Not for the first time.

This happens frequently when I come into his studio.

I watch him for a while.

Then we get…. Distracted.

Well, he gets distracted.

He says I distract him.

Either way I end up with clay all over me.

So, we have to shower.

I think he does it on purpose.

“I saw…. Archer and Gabe today.”  I manage to say between kissing.

Nuka pulls back slightly.

“Oh? They’re back?”

“Hmm.” I confirm, “They came by the bookstore earlier. They invited us to dinner tonight. They’ll text us where to meet them.”

“What time?” Nuka mumbles into my neck.

Still distracted.

“Seven.”

“Good. That gives us plenty of time to…. clean up.”

I laugh out loud as he picks me up off the counter and carries me into our house.

I never expected this to be my life 5 years ago.

I fulfilled my dreams for my career.

I have my Mate.

Everything is better than I ever hoped it would be.

And so much more.