Happy was pissed when he woke up the next morning. He had seen Jax on the phone last night, and then he and one of the prospects had taken off. The prospect had returned alone awhile later, and Happy knew they must have gone to pick the girls up at the bar. Happy had called Ari twice but she didn't answer her phone – which had both infuriated and worried him. Happy had expected to hear from her by now, but he hadn't.

Happy got dressed and went out to the main room of the clubhouse. Jax and Tara were sitting at a table near the bar, heads close together as they talked quietly. Filthy Phil was behind the bar and Kozik and Juice were sitting there drinking. Jax gave Happy a nod, and Happy took a seat next to Kozik. "Hey man," Juice said.

Happy nodded. Kozik, never a morning person, was staring into his cup of Irish coffee and didn't acknowledge Happy's presence. Juice started babbling about what he and a croweater did last night, but Happy didn't pay much attention. "Hey Prospect," Jax called. "Bring my old lady some coffee."

Phil did as Jax said, and Happy's eyes idly followed his progress. Jax's phone went off, and he got up and walked off to answer the call. "Thanks Phil," Tara said with a smile.

Happy smirked as the prospect blushed. Tara was probably the only pretty woman who'd ever smiled at him. "Sure. I mean, you're welcome," Phil stammered out. "So, uh, is Ari okay?"

Tara's eyes went from Phil to Happy. He saw her swallow nervously when her eyes met his, and she quickly looked back at Phil. "I haven't talked to her," Tara replied, her voice quiet.

She looked relieved when Jax came back over, and the prospect left. Happy stood and intercepted him. "Why you askin' the doc about my woman?" Happy asked, his voice low.

Phil shifted his heavy weight nervously. Happy scared the shit out of him. "No reason," Phil said.

Happy didn't say anything, just continued to stare. "Lyla told me not to tell you," Phil mumbled, unable to keep quiet under Happy's murderous gaze.

Happy crossed his arms and spoke in a menacing tone. "You gonna do what some bitch tells you? You gonna lie to me?"

Phil shook his head frantically, taking a step back. "No man. No. Ari – your girl, I mean – she was really drunk when we got there. Jax had to put the beat down on some guy who was pushin' his luck, that's all."

Happy's eyes grew cold. Involuntarily, Phil shivered. Happy turned around and left without another word to Phil, or to anyone else. Almost in a daze, Phil walked back to the bar. "What's going on?" Juice asked.

Jax and Tara came over. "What did you say to him?" Jax demanded.

"Nothing, I – he asked about Ari."

"Fuck," Jax swore.

Kozik and Juice exchanged confused looks. "What's going on?" Kozik asked.

Tara looked worried. Jax ignored Kozik's question as he asked Phil, "What did you say to him? Exact words."

Phil gave him a deer-in-headlights look. "I said Ari was drunk, and you had to beat down that guy who was trying to get with her."

Kozik couldn't quite hide his grin when he shook his head and said, "Shit."

Tara sat down heavily, closing her eyes. "You stupid asshole," Jax bit out.

The prospect held out his hands in defeat. "He asked. What was I supposed to say?"

"Think, dumbass," Jax said. "You remember what happened when you touched Happy's knife?"

Phil nodded glumly. "He said he'd cut my fingers, toes, nose, and dick off if I touched anything of his again."

Juice piped up. "And what happened when you sat in his chair at the bar?"

Phil's agitation grew. "He said he'd rather break it over my head than have my fat ass touching anything of his."

Jax spoke again. "And when you looked at his bike, he – "

"He said he'd pour lye in my eyes and then carve my eyeballs out for looking at anything of his! I remember," Phil said nervously.

Jax leaned in. "Happy doesn't like people touching his things. Happy doesn't even like people looking at what belongs to him. So what do you think is going to happen when you tell him someone was pushing up on his woman?"

"Shit!" Phil cried out.

"You stupid shithead," Juice added.

Tara looked up. "Should I call Ari?" she asked Jax.

Jax looked at Tara. "And say what?"

Tara shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. Warn her, or…" she trailed off.

Jax rubbed a hand over her face. "She shouldn't have been out doing shit anyway," he said wearily.

"She wasn't," Tara protested. "She was just drunk, and – never mind."

Kozik spoke up. "Don't call her. Happy'll just be more pissed if he finds out anyone else got involved."

Jax raised his eyebrows at Kozik. He was willing to defer to him; the man knew Happy better than Jax did, and he seemed to have a better handle on Happy's and Ari's relationship as well. "You sure?" Jax asked.

Kozik nodded. "Yeah. Aria can take care of herself."

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Ari woke up to a loud pounding noise. "Ugh," she moaned as she rolled over.

Her head was killing her, and she felt nauseous. She hadn't gotten that drunk in a long time – maybe ever – and now she had one hell of a hangover. The pounding outside stopped, but her head was still throbbing. Suddenly her bedroom door banged open, and Ari jerked upright, her hand automatically reaching towards her nightstand drawer where she kept a gun.

She let her hand fall to the bed when she saw it was only Happy in the doorway. She groaned and put a hand to her forehead, closing her eyes. Her sudden movement hadn't done her aching head any favors. "What are you doing here?" she asked, keeping her eyes shut.

"What the fuck did you do last night?" Happy growled.

Ari opened her eyes. Happy was standing in the doorway, his hands clenching both sides of the doorframe. Ari leaned her back against her headboard. She didn't want to deal with this right now. "Nothing."

Happy wasn't pleased with her response. "Bullshit."

She glared at him. "I got really fucking drunk last night, and now I'm really fucking hungover. That answer your question?"

Happy's eyes traveled over her. She was only wearing a tank top and panties. Her hair was disheveled, and last night's make-up was smeared over her face. He could tell she was in pain. She looked like hell. "You look like shit," he informed her.

Ari was immediately incensed. "Fuck you," she snapped.

Happy leaned forward, his hands still gripping the doorframe. "That's right. You fuck me. I told you what would happen if you fucked someone else."

"Really?" Ari asked sarcastically. "You think I fucked someone else last night? That what Jax told you?"

"I know he had to teach some guy you were with a lesson," Happy said, sounding pissed off. "And you didn't answer your cell last night."

Ari massaged her temples. "He only did that because he heard the guy call Tara a bitch."

Ari's head was killing her, and she was upset that Happy was angry. She knew she had been stupid and maybe a tiny part of her had wanted to make Happy mad, but in hindsight her actions seemed idiotic. "You didn't come here last night," she said.

She had been surprised he hadn't shown up. And maybe a little disappointed, too. "Yeah, I know," Happy said, annoyed that she was trying to change the subject. "Answer my fucking question."

"What?" Ari asked, not remembering what his question had been.

She didn't feel up to doing this right now. She was also afraid she was going to be sick at any moment. Those last few shots had definitely not been a good idea. "What do you want from me?" she asked wearily.

Happy's face was set. "I want you to tell me you didn't let anyone put their hands on you last night."

Ari had flirted with strange men last night, but that was all. No matter how hurt she was because of Happy, no matter what he did on runs, she didn't want anyone else. "I didn't," she said.

Happy barely looked appeased. "I told you to keep your fucking phone on," he barked.

Ari wrapped her arms around herself. "I did. I just didn't want to talk to you."

Anger flashed in Happy's eyes. Without another word to Ari, he stormed out. Ari heard the downstairs door slam shut behind him. Feeling sick and miserable, Ari started to cry.

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A few hours later, Ari was feeling much better physically. She had showered and taken some Advil, and no longer felt nauseous. Now, Ari felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment. She was embarrassed she had cried, embarrassed she had behaved so immaturely the previous night. She wanted to call Tara or Lyla, or go to the clubhouse – she wanted to see a friendly face – but she was mortified at the thought of seeing anyone who knew how stupidly she'd acted the night before.

The doorbell rang, and Ari peeked out the window and saw Tara's car parked in the driveway. Feeling a little relieved, Ari steeled herself and opened the door. Tara stood there, holding baby Thomas. "Hi," Tara said, her welcoming smile not quite reaching the serious look in her eye. "How are you feeling?"

Ari stepped back and let Tara walk inside. "Stupid."

Tara gave a little laugh, and the tension in Ari's body lessened. Ari and Tara went to the kitchen. "Do you want anything to drink?" Ari asked.

Tara handed Thomas to Ari. "Sit," she instructed. "I'll make some tea."

As Tara busied herself with the tea, Ari stood Thomas up in her lap. She made faces at him and he giggled. "At least you like me," Ari told him.

Tara looked over. "Did Happy stop by?"

Ari stuck her tongue out at Thomas before answering. "Yeah, a few hours ago. We got in a fight, he stormed out, and I haven't seen or heard from him since."

Tara brought over two cups of tea and sat at the table with Ari. "Prospect told him about shit this morning. Sorry, I couldn't stop him."

Ari shrugged. "It's okay. I probably would have told him about it anyway."

Thomas reached his little arms out to Tara, and Ari passed him back to his mother. Tara gave Thomas a big smile before looking at Ari again. "You have to know, he was pissed this morning."

Ari took a sip of tea, letting it settle her stomach. "I know. He banged in here when I was still lying in bed, horribly hungover. But Happy and I are always honest with each other."

She looked down at the table. "That's why I haven't asked him about runs," she admitted. "He'd tell me the truth, and what if I don't like it?"

Tara reached out and covered Ari's hand with her own. "And getting drunk and pissing Happy off is a better plan? I get that you're not intimidated by him, but Ari, Happy's a scary guy. Violent. What do you think would have happened if he'd come with Jax and Phil last night?"

Ari winced. "I know. I know, okay?"

She laid her head down on the table. "Happy's pissed at me," she said, her voice muffled. "If he ever comes back I'll talk to him, okay? I guess I can be an adult."

Thomas clapped his hands together. Ari looked up and caught Tara's eye. They both burst into laughter. Ari straightened in her chair. "Is Lyla mad at me? From what I remember, she was pretty annoyed last night."

Tara shook her head. "No, she's not mad. Audrey's coming in today, remember? Lyla's with her."

"Oh, right," Ari remembered.

The two women drank their tea in silence for a moment. "Tara," Ari finally said. "Thanks. For being my friend, even though I didn't tell you about knowing Happy for so long, and even though I do dumb stuff."

Tara smiled at her. "Don't worry about it."

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Ari called Happy after Tara and Thomas left. Happy didn't answer his cell, and Ari didn't leave a message. But an hour later, Ari heard the roar of a motorcycle. She curled up on the couch in the living room and waited.

Barely two minutes passed before Ari's front door opened and Happy walked in. He didn't throw the door open or slam it shut behind him, so Ari hoped he wasn't as angry anymore. Happy's dark eyes met hers. He walked towards her and sat next to her on the couch, but he didn't say anything. Ari knew he was waiting for her to start.

Ari fixed her eyes on a spot on the floor. "When you were gone," she started. "I was - educated - about runs."

She glanced up at Happy, but his face was impassive. Ari looked away from him uncomfortably. "I was told you all mess around with other women and the old la - those of us left behind just pretend nothing's happening. That we have to be okay with it. I'm not okay with it, Happy."

Happy let out an annoyed breath. "This is why I don't like you being a part of club stuff," he said.

"But you're a part of the club," Ari pointed out. "It's a part of your life. You talked to me about the rules just yesterday."

Ari still wasn't looking at him. "Aria," he snapped. "Look at me."

Ari raised her eyes to meet his, trying not to look as hurt as she felt. Happy just looked irritated. "You and me are our own thing," Happy said gruffly. "If I fucked someone else it would be between me and you, not the whole club."

Ari bit her lip before asking, "So did you sleep with someone else?"

Happy just looked at her for a long moment, Ari's nerves growing, before simply saying, "No."

Relief swept through Ari, but she didn't say anything else. "If you want something from me, you have to ask," Happy said, sounding frustrated. "I ain't gonna guess."

"Fine," Ari said, irritated. "I don't want you to have sex with anyone else."

~*~*F*~L*~A*~S*~H*~B*~A*~C*~K*~*~

"Hap," Ari said coyly from her perch on his lap, her hand working up and down his cock. "Get a condom, I want you to fuck me."

Happy looked at her, then dropped his head to her neck when realization hit. "Fuck. Got one in my pocket."

His pants were downstairs. He had lost them before he and Ari had gone up to her bedroom. Ari moved to get off his lap. "I'll get it."

Happy's hands gripped her hips, holding her in place. "I wanna fuck you without one."

Ari cocked her head as she thought about it. She was on birth control, which meant STD's were the only issue. But if she and Happy weren't sleeping with anyone else...

Ari pursed her lips. She remembered all too well the women who hung around Tacoma's clubhouse. Ari was as certain as she could be that Happy wasn't fucking any of the Charming sweetbutts now but she knew he'd gone through more than his fair share in Tacoma.

Ari leaned in and kissed him. "Okay - if you get an STD test first."

Happy frowned. "What?"

Ari poked his chest. "You think I don't know you slept with all the sluts in Tacoma? And who knows how many others."

"Didn't do much sleeping," Happy grumbled under his breath.

Ari stuck her lower lip out in a pout at the thought. A smirk played around Happy's mouth as he said, "Jealous?"

He tugged on Ari's lower lip with his teeth. Ari put her arms around his neck. "I can expedite the test so we get the results back fast," Ari promised. "I'll get tested too."

Happy eyed her. "How many guys you been with?"

Ari's fingers traced the tattoos on his head as she answered. "Five, including you."

"How many you fuck without a condom?"

Ari held up a finger. "One."

"Who?"

"My ex."

Happy hadn't been expecting that. He had a strange look on his face which prompted her to continue, "My only serious boyfriend. I broke up with him before I moved to Tacoma."

Happy didn't say anything for a moment. Then he brought his hand between their bodies and teased her opening with his fingers. "You're gonna like feeling my cock in your pussy," he told her, his voice low and sexy.

She grinned at him. "I already like it."

Happy kissed her. "Yeah you do."

"You know I'm only fucking you," Happy said in response to Ari's demand.

He got to his knees and leaned over her. Ari fell back against the couch and Happy covered her body with his. He put his hand up her shirt. "This time. What about the next run?" Ari persisted.

Happy looked at her, his hand still on her breast. "Don't fucking make me repeat myself," he growled.

Ari fell silent as Happy undid his pants. As he reached out to her she asked, "What about blowjobs?"

Happy's hand stilled for a brief second, and that's when Ari knew her suspicions were correct. "Oral sex is still sex," Ari continued.

Happy glared. "Fuck that. Mouth ain't the same as pussy."

He sat back, away from her. Ari was upset. "I knew it," she said. "Lyla was right. She said – "

"Don't fucking talk to me about what some cum queen said to you," Happy snapped.

Ari scooted further away from him. "She's an Old Lady."

Irritated that she was moving away from him, Happy reached out and grabbed Ari's arm. He struggled to remain calm, to speak without anger. Ari was pissing him off but he could see the hurt lurking in her eyes and since Lyla's big fucking mouth had told Ari about runs and old ladies, he couldn't avoid this.

Ari tried to pull her arm out of his grip but his fingers tightened their hold. "Look at me," he said.

Ari's eyes met his, and he could see she was trying to keep her expression blank. It wasn't exactly working. "When a Son has an Old Lady, we don't screw around at home. Not a goddman thing happens in Charming. But runs are different. You can fuck some whore on a run but that shit never follows you home. You get me? As far as you're concerned, it's like it never happened."

Ari's eyes narrowed. "I don't care."

Happy groaned, letting go of her arm. "I won't fuck any road pussy, a'ight?"

Ari crossed her arms. "I don't want them to blow you either."

Happy stood up. "I don't think you understand what I'm doing for you," he said harshly. "I'm compromising with you here. Do you think I ever concede anything? To anyone?"

Ari stood as well. "Oh, well," she said sarcastically, her hands gesturing wildly as she spoke. "Thank you so much for thinking of my feelings and only getting head from skanks."

Happy's irritation was quickly growing to real anger. "I told you it won't follow me home," he said between gritted teeth. "It won't change anything."

Happy could see that had been the wrong thing to say, but he didn't know what else Ari wanted from him. If any of the guys had heard what he was promising her, his reputation would be ruined. He was starting to sound like Jax, and damn if Happy was going to be as pussy-whipped as his VP. "Every time you're gone, I'll wonder," Ari snapped back. "Is that what you want? For me to think about you and some other – "

Happy closed his eyes, wanting this entire conversation to be over. "You're what I want," he interrupted. "You know this shit already."

Ari crossed her arms, and Happy watched her warily. He could practically see the wheels turning in her brain and he was perfectly still as he waited. When she finally spoke, her voice was neutral. "I don't see why it has to be so unfair."

She paused and Happy knew she wanted him to ask. He simply stared at her. After she realized he wasn't going to say anything, Ari continued. "If it really doesn't mean anything to you – since oral sex isn't really sex, isn't that what you said? – then it should be fair. If you're getting blowjobs when you're on a run then I should get something while you're gone. Right?"

Happy tensed. She couldn't possibly mean what he thought she meant. "Don't worry," Ari said, patting his cheek. "You won't know him. It won't follow me home."

Happy's rage blew up before she even finished her sentence and his hand shot out and gripped her arm tightly. His black eyes met her blue ones and he saw a hint of triumph in her orbs. It was that which made him latch on to his self-control with everything he had. She was trying to provoke him, and he wouldn't let her succeed. Ari didn't say anything else and she tried to pull her arm away from him but his fingers tightened their hold as he tried to work through his anger internally.

"Hap, you're hurting me," she said after a moment.

Happy loosened his grip but still held on to her arm firmly. "I'm only going to say this once," he finally said, his voice hard and even.

Ari's eyes met his as he said, "I won't disrespect you in Charming. I won't fuck road pussy. But I'll get my dick taken care of if I need to on a run. And you will be a good Old Lady about it. And the next time you think you want to get back at me by going out to bar and getting drunk, if you so much as give a guy a look I'll find out. I'll find out, and you will be responsible for my actions."

Happy shook her. "You understand me?"

Ari tugged her arm away from him and this time he let her go. "Yes, you've made your views quite clear," she said.

Happy's eyes flashed. "Aria," he said warningly.

She rubbed her arm. "Yes, I understand," she bit out.

Happy's eyes followed her movement and he could already make out finger-shaped marks forming on her arm. Ari looked at him but her gaze wasn't accusing; it was resigned. Happy wanted to take that look out of her eyes but he didn't know how. As if she knew he was thinking of coming closer to her, Ari held up a hand. "Just – just give me some time. I need to think."

Happy glanced out the window. It was late afternoon, and soon the sun would begin to set. "A'ight. I'll be back tonight."

Ari didn't say anything, which irritated Happy. He grabbed her chin and gave her a quick, bruising kiss before heading out the door.

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Ari was sitting outside her house, smoking a cigarette, when a black SUV pulled up. When Ari saw Gemma step out of the vehicle, she suppressed a groan. Gemma sauntered over and sat down next to Ari. "Bum a smoke?"

Ari sighed heavily as she handed Gemma one of her precious few cigarettes. "Didn't know you were a smoker," Gemma said after she lit and inhaled.

Ari shrugged. "Sometimes."

Gemma pursed her lips. "You one of those stress smokers?"

Ari let out a long drag. "What are you doing here, Gemma?"

"I heard about what happened last night."

Ari scowled. "Nothing happened last night. Why is it such a big deal that I got drunk? It's nothing compared to what usually goes on at the clubhouse."

Gemma tapped the ash off the end of her cigarette. "But you weren't at the clubhouse, were you?"

Gemma looked vaguely amused as Ari bristled. "What does that matter?"

Gemma's amusement vanished as she leaned in. "It's stupid to play games with the killer."

Ari stubbed out her cigarette. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not playing games."

"I will not have your shit messing with the killer and ruining this club."

Ari chucked her lighter at the ground. "I'm not doing anything! I'm sorry I can't just accept the man I love fucking other women! I'm sorry that him promising me that it won't be anything more than a blowjob isn't easy for me to swallow!"

Gemma laughed. It took Ari a minute, but then she realized what she had said and couldn't help but give a little laugh as well. The moment of levity was just what Ari needed. "Gemma…he really expects me to be okay with – with everything that goes along with this," she said, waving a hand around.

Gemma lazily blew out a stream of smoke. "Don't give me that. You know him. And you got to know the club, in Tacoma and then here. What did you think was going to happen?"

Ari frowned. "Thanks, Gemma. Has anyone ever told you, you really know how to cheer someone up."

Gemma put out her cigarette and stood. "Didn't come here to cheer you up, you smart-ass little bitch."

Gemma leaned over Ari. "But that promise of Happy's? Clay's never made that one to me."

Gemma walked back to her car, leaving Ari to think.

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True to his word, Happy came back to the house that night. Ari was on the couch watching TV when he came in. Neither one of them said anything. Happy took off his boots, cut, and sweatshirt. He sat down next to Ari, clad in his white t-shirt and jeans, and stretched his arm out along the back of the couch. Ari shifted closer to him, her arm resting on his thigh. Happy looked down and caught sight of the bruises shaped like his fingers. He gently took hold of her arm and raised it to his mouth, pressing his lips against her skin.

Ari looked at him in surprise, but Happy remained silent. Ari got to her knees, leaned over, and kissed him on the mouth. Happy immediately pulled her onto his lap. One of his hands ran down her back as the other went up her shirt. Ari moaned a little as she rocked her hips against him and his tongue thrust into her mouth.

She reached down and undid his pants. Ari pushed them down as Happy's hand went from her breast, to rubbing the front of her pants. Happy's dick sprang free, already hardening. He yanked Ari's pants down and touched her without the cotton barrier. She was beginning to get wet and Happy didn't wait any longer to ease his cock into her folds. "Fuck, your pussy feels good," Happy rasped out. "My cock feel good inside of you, Aria?"

Ari tilted her hips up to take more of him. "Yes," Ari told him, getting more turned on as he went deeper inside of her. "I love feeling you inside of me - more, Hap, deeper - oh yeah," she moaned as he hit just the right spot.

She sat up a little and raised her knees. "This pussy mine, Aria?" he demanded.

Ari wasn't paying much attention to what he was saying. She didn't respond, just let out a little noise as he thrust faster and harder. "Aria," he said in a warning tone, wanting an answer from her.

Her nails dug into his back as she tried to get closer to him. "Yes," she said.

Happy slowed his pace. "Yes what?"

"Hap!" she cried out in frustration, wanting him to keep moving.

One of Happy's hands cupped her breast and squeezed. He twisted her nipple when she wriggled against him. "Only you," she said, trying to roll her hips and take him further inside of her.

Ari brought a hand down between their bodies. "And this cock is mine," she breathed into his ear.

Happy drew back to look at her. "You think you got claim over me?"

Ari leaned in and gave him an open-mouthed kiss. "Yeah," she said when she finally pulled away. "I do."

Happy kissed her ear, her mouth, her neck. Ari moved her hips again, trying to get him to move, but Happy just kept teasing her. Finally Ari couldn't take it anymore. "Fuck me, Hap, I want to feel you."

A satisfied expression coming to his face, Happy did as she asked.

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A few days later, Happy walked into the house to find stacks of paper everywhere and Ari frantically rifling through even more papers in a kitchen drawer. At the sound of the door closing behind him, Ari looked up. She closed the drawer. "Have you seen the mail?"

"Do I look like the mailman?" Happy retorted.

A grin snuck onto Ari's face as she looked him up and down. Things had been going well between them since their fight earlier in the week. After some thought, Ari had realized that Happy had never said he planned on getting sucked off by croweaters. He had only said that if he did, he didn't want Ari to get upset over it. Ari allowed herself to hope that it would never happen. After all, she knew she was keeping Happy satisfied; they were still having sex every chance they got.

Happy walked towards her and put his hands on her hips. "No, I guess not," she said.

Happy kissed her, his hands firm on her hips to keep her body lined up with his. "What're you lookin' for?" he asked when he pulled away.

"Hmm? Oh. I can't find the mortgage payment. It must have come in the mail, it's due the fifteenth of every month."

Ari turned around and opened another drawer but Happy's voice stopped her search. "It ain't there."

Ari stopped and faced him. "So you do know where it is?"

"Won't be coming anymore. I paid it."

Ari stared at him for a moment. "You paid…all of it? You paid off my mortgage?"

Happy leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. "I paid off the mortgage for the house we're staying in."

Ari pursed her lips slightly as her mind quickly processed what Happy was telling her. Ari had used some of the money left to her by her father for the down payment on the house. She wasn't a big spender in general, and so making the mortgage payments every month hadn't been a hardship.

But she knew how Happy was about money, and so she wasn't that surprised he had paid off her house. When Ari had lived with Anita, Happy had always been adamant about taking care of all the bills. She knew it was some macho thing he had, that he had to be the one taking care of things. She should have been expecting something like this – though he could have spoken with her about it first.

Ari stepped forward and looped her arms around his waist. "You could have told me, and saved me a frantic search around the house for the nonexistent bill," Ari reproached him.

She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. "Does this mean you're going to move all your stuff in?"

Happy scoffed. "Look around. My shit's already here."

Ari realized with a start that he was right. He'd been staying at the house almost every night, and his things were put away in drawers and lined up in the bathroom. Of course, since it was Happy, his things were neatly placed among hers.

Ari smiled. "Do you want me to put your name on the deed?"

Happy rubbed her back. "Nah."