Come Home, Sweetie

Gal Ritchie buzzes Ariel X over to her new place like it’s no big deal. They settle on the couch and Ariel clocks the stack of overdue bills next to an empty fridge. She keeps her mouth shut so Gal doesn’t feel small. Eventually Gal cracks, admitting she’s been drowning and blurts out whether she can move back home. Ariel lights up, tells her she’s proud as hell, and Gal’s shoulders finally drop. One compliment leads to another until the air gets thick with something hotter than family pride. Eyes lock. Hands linger. The two step-moms-to-lovers race to strip each other, ready to give Gal the kind of “welcome home” she’s never going to forget.