Page 93 of Stroke of Fate

“Levi mentioned you’re from California?”

“Yes, this is my first time living out of state.”

“And you chose Colorado, of all places?” She laughs softly. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful, but the winters are nowhere near as mild as California.”

“It will be an adjustment, but Levi promised to help me learn how to love the snow.” I grin.

He’s already offered to teach me how to snowboard. And even though it’s still a few months away, I’m excited to experience my first Colorado winter, snow and all.

“I hope I’m not stepping out of line when I say this,” Sophia says, leaning against the counter.

My heart rate speeds up.

Is this the mom equivalent ofwe need to talk?

I force myself not to fidget with my shirt cuff and maintain eye contact while waiting for her to continue.

“Levi has always been a serious kid and never quite grew out of it.” Her smile is soft, almost borderline sad. “But these past few weeks, he’s seemed happier and more carefree, like he’s finally letting himself enjoy life. And after seeing the two of you together, I have a feeling a lot of that has to do with you. So, thank you for being there for my son in ways a mother can’t.”

Her words stun me into silence, and tears burn the back of my eyes. I blink quickly to keep them from spilling over.

Coming from someone who’s known him his whole life, I know how much weight those words carry.

Between the two of us, it’s easy to assume I took the bigger risk by committing to this relationship. But I’ve forgotten someone else’s heart, and trust lies in my hands, too. Someone who has a family that doesn’t want to see them get hurt, either.

“I feel lucky to have found him,” I tell her, and I mean every word.

I never thought I could open myself up to the possibility of falling in love again so soon after everything that happened. But that’s the thing about falling in love. You don’t even realize it’s happening. Not until it hits you square in the chest in your boyfriend’s childhood kitchen.

27 | LEVI

Slipping into my old bedroom, I quietly close the door behind me and make my way over to bed. Bear is lying on her side, hugging one of my old stuffed animals to her chest. The sight is fucking adorable.

I slip under the covers and drape an arm around her waist. A soft, content sigh leaves my lips as I breathe in her familiar scent. Being this close to her again feels like coming home after a long vacation. Despite my best efforts not to wake her, she stirs in my arms a moment later.

“Where’s your mom?” she mumbles sleepily.

“Already left for work,” I murmur, kissing the shell of her ear. “Go back to sleep. It’s still early.”

I hadn’t planned on sneaking into bed with Bear, but I woke up when my mom walked into the study to grab her work bag. The minute I heard the garage door close behind her, I was up and walking across the hall.

Bear snuggles deeper into me, and soon, her breathing evens out. It’s not long before sleep pulls me under again, too.

Hours later, my full bladder wakes me up. Bear’s clinging to me like a koala, and I reluctantly untangle myself from her limbs.

I quickly take care of business and wash my hands. When I open the ensuite door, Bear is sitting up in bed.

“I wasn’t sure if you snuck into the room or if I dreamt it.”

I raise an amused brow. “You don’t remember clinging to me in your sleep?”

She shakes her head while her eyes trailing over my naked torso.

Fire burns under my skin when her glazed gaze meets mine. It’s been nearly forty-eight hours since I’ve been inside her, and I feel like a man on the brink of starvation.

“I think it’s time I show you how much I’ve missed having you to myself,” I say, keeping my voice low.

Her eyes widen slightly, and she bites down on her lower lip, understanding the insinuation behind my words. I walk over to the bed, my body buzzing with anticipation.

---