That realization had been the primary reason why Ian had encouraged her to go a little crazy with decorating the house this year. In the years he’d lived here so far, he hadn’t bothered with such things, for they would have only served as reminders of how alone he was out here, without family or close friends of his own.

But everything was different now, for he and Tessa had each other, and they had begun to build a real life together here in San Francisco. She’d made the big house come alive with her laughter and love and the joy she took in even the smallest things, and coming home to her was always the very best part of his day.

He followed his nose to the kitchen, where Tessa and Julia were in the middle of baking what looked like dozens of cookies. Julia was sticking a cookie sheet filled with dough into the oven, while Tessa was using a spatula to slide a just-baked batch onto cooling racks. She immediately dropped the spatula when she saw him, flinging her arms about his neck, and giving him a very amorous welcome home kiss.

Ian grinned down at her, thinking how adorable she looked this afternoon wearing a pair of faded jeans, a bright red thermal top, and red fuzzy socks. Without shoes on, she was several inches shorter than usual, the top of her blonde head barely reaching his chin. She wore little to no makeup, and with wisps of curly hair escaping a messy braid, she looked like a teenager.

He brushed away a speck of flour from the tip of her nose, dropping another quick kiss on her lips. “You taste like sugar cookies,” he teased. “And the entire house smells like a bakery. Hello, Julia. Playing hooky from work today, I see.”

Julia gave him a little wink. “Tessa and I have actually been working very hard, Ian. And it’s always a little slow at the office this time of year. No one is all that anxious to start on new decorating projects around the holidays. Besides, I have something of an in with the owner as you know,” she added teasingly.

“How’s the new house coming along?” inquired Ian.

Julia groaned. “He just had to ask, didn’t he? Well, construction has been completed, the inspections all signed off on, and we’re in the process of moving our stuff over a little at a time. However, half of the furniture and other things I’ve ordered haven’t arrived yet, and I’m afraid that people are going to have to sit on rented folding chairs for our New Year’s Eve party. And just the thought of those ugly metal things are giving me nightmares! And Lauren had to make it worse by suggesting we all just sit on the floor on big pillows - like an indoor picnic or some sort of hippie lovefest. Well, that is definitely not going to happen!”

Ian bent to whisper in Tessa’s ear, “I gather the missing furniture is something of a sore subject?”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “You have no idea. She was working herself into a frenzy about it earlier. Thank God all of the baking has helped to take her mind off of things. Until now, that is,” she added in mock severity.

“Oops.” He grinned at her before swiping a still-warm cookie from one of the racks. “Mmm, delicious,” he declared after taking a bite. “But not as delicious as you are, love.”

They kissed again, more thoroughly this time, until Tessa was rising up on her tiptoes to fuse her mouth more closely against his. It was only the sound of Julia clearing her throat rather loudly that caused him to take a reluctant step back.

“Sorry,” apologized Ian, though he’d never been less sorry about anything in his life. “We, ah, tend to get a bit carried away at times. You understand, Julia.”

Julia laughed. “I do, yes. Speaking of which, I should be getting home to my own lusty husband. Though I hate to leave you with this mess to clean up, Tessa.”

Tessa shook her head. “Don’t be silly. It’s just a few utensils and cookie sheets. And you’ve been such a big help, Julia. I know the dinner tomorrow night is only for eight people, but I’m starting to freak out about it a little.”

“Everything is going to be perfect,” assured Julia. “And I’ll be sure to get here in plenty of time to help, even though you really don’t need me to. You’ve become a great cook, Tessa, and after just a few months of lessons.”

“Julia’s absolutely right, darling,” Ian told her warmly. “You keep me very well fed. And the dinner tomorrow evening will go off without a hitch.”

Tessa grinned mischievously. “I’m going to sit Lindsey next to Jordan. I figured since she likes to flirt with other men so much she might as well practice on a master. And,” she added in a sterner tone, “I’m also sitting her as far away from Ian as possible. No one gets to flirt with my man.”

Ian burst out laughing, sliding his arms around her waist and hugging her back against his chest. “I think Lindsey got that message loud and clear the last time we ran into her and Matthew. As I recall, you were practically glued against my side, and trying your damndest to crawl up my body.”

Julia grinned at that particular mental image. “I don’t blame Tessa. Some women just don’t take the hint very well. But I can’t imagine any woman thinking she had a chance with Ian given the way he looks at you, Tessa. It’s pretty obvious that the two of you are crazy in love. Just like me and Nathan.”

Julia hugged both of them good-by, and good-naturedly allowed Ian to walk her out to her car after he insisted. He gallantly unlocked the door and held it open as she slid into the driver’s seat.

“Thank you again for coming over to help Tessa,” he told her with all sincerity. “She’s still lacking in self-confidence, as you’ve no doubt noticed, though I have to admit it’s improved considerably over the last few months.”

“I agree,” replied Julia. “Being with you has helped her in a lot of ways, Ian. She’s needed someone like you in her life for, well, pretty much forever, I’d say.”

He nodded soberly. “You know, don’t you, about what her life was like? How hard it was, how unstable. That she and her mother were actually, well…”

“Homeless? Or living on welfare?” finished Julia. “Yes, I know some of it. She doesn’t really like to talk about those times. Who can blame her? But I know she’s trying to forget about those bad years. That’s why it meant so much to her to be able to deck the house out for the holidays. She never had that opportunity before, and she’s been having so much fun doing it.”