“No denying that, but somehow you’ve managed to make progress.”
“It’s my jolly nature.” Levi shoots me a wink.
We continue making small talk while we eat. Randomly, I’ll throw Dasher a piece of salmon which he quickly gobbles up.
“Keep doing that, and you’ll never be able to eat in peace again.”
“Like it matters,” I say with a laugh. “You’ve raised a beggar.”
After we’re finished, I offer to clean up, but Levi refuses to let me.
“Are you sure you’re the real deal?”
“Huh?” He rinses off the plates and puts them in the dishwasher.
“A man who cooks and cleans. Who’s nice to his mama. Single. Hardworking. Thoughtful. And has a golden retriever to match his energy. Do you realize you’re an anomaly?” I can’t even be mad or shocked at all the women who stopped him that day we went into town. They already knew he was a catch.
He chuckles. “Don’t flatter me.”
“I’m serious,” I tell him. “What skeletons do you have hiding in your closet? Do you have a wife and kids in another country or something?”
Levi wipes his hand on a dish towel, then sets it on the counter. “Nope. Nothing in there but some cobwebs and handfuls of failed relationships. Probably some old ornaments and expired candy canes too. And that’s the truth. I don’t have anything to hide from you, Fallon. I’m an open book.”
I search his face and can tell he’s not lying. He has no reason to, but I still find it unbelievable someone hasn’t won over his heart.
We go into the living room, and Levi turns on the TV but hands me the remote.
“My turn to shower,” he says, and I nod.
I flick through the channels, and land on a holiday movie because that’s all that’s on. It’s not like I’m watching it anyway.
Once Levi is out of the shower, he comes downstairs to let me know he’s going to bed.
“Good night, Fallon,” he calls out.
“Night,” I tell him. Dasher looks at me, then back at him before he follows up the stairs. I stare at the ceiling, hating that I’m fighting a war within myself. And for what, exactly?
When the exhaustion takes over, I turn off the TV and make my way upstairs. As my feet touch the top floor, I stop and look at Levi’s closed door. Placing my palm on the wood, I slowly turn the knob and walk in. The Christmas tree in the corner is lit, and Dasher’s asleep on his dog bed. I take a few steps forward, my nerves getting the best of me.
I haven’t walked into his room since that night we hooked up, but I’ve wanted to so damn bad.
Levi rolls over and his eyes flutter open. He lifts the blankets without questioning why I’m in here. When I crawl in, he pulls me closer to his warm body. His strong arm wraps around my hip, but I spin around and face him.
When Levi’s lips slowly part, I lean in and slide my mouth across his. The kiss deepens as our tongues tangle together, and I’m nearly breathless by the time I pull away.
“What was that for?” he asks.
“You looked like you needed it,” I say, repeating the words he said to me earlier.
When I roll over, Levi’s strong arm captures me, and his warm breath tickles my neck. Though I live with some regrets in my life, telling him our night together was a mistake is another one. If I could take it back, I would in a heartbeat, but maybe it’s for the best.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
LEVI
DAY 12
With only twodays left before the festival this Saturday, the last thing I should be doing is taking a day off work. But it's exactly what I do.