Page 70 of This Baby Business
“Do you think she bought it?” I whispered. “Us?”
He stepped into the kitchen. “Might have been more convincing if my future bride hadn’t acted like I was mauling her when I kissed her.”
I’d done no such thing and was shocked to think he even cared. But more importantly, my heart had stopped on the wordbride. “Whatdid you say?”
He didn’t answer for a beat. “You’re not comfortable with PDA, I take it.”
“Bride.You said bride. Don’t throw that word around like it doesn’t mean anything.”
His eyebrows knit together, and he looked genuinely confused. “It was your idea, babe.”
Yes, yes, it had been my idea. It hadn’t bothered me at the time, just a means to an end. But now things were different. I just didn’t know why.
“You don’t have to remind me,” I said, going toward the front door. “I know how much you hated the idea. It won’t be long now that we can at least stop pretending.”
He stopped me by grabbing my wrist. “Hang on. Where do you think you’re going?”
“Home.”
“Not yet, you’re not.”
“I think you can handle the rest of this without me.”
“Who says I want to? I’m not a great liar.”
“You seemed to be doing fine earlier.”
His eyes twinkled but his lips were only twitching as if they wouldn’t fully commit to a smile. “That’s different. I was teasing you.”
“I’m so glad you had fun.” If my voice bristled a little, I couldn’t help that. I’d had a terrible, no-good, very bad day.
“What’s wrong?” He still hadn’t let go of my wrist, and now his hand slid up the inside of my elbow and stroked me.
My body betrayed me with a tingle I definitely didnotwant to be feeling right now. His gaze pierced mine with interest that seemed genuine. He wasn’t pushy, no, but clearly he was not going to let this go. I’d forgotten for a moment that my own thoughts and feelings were always so clearly displayed for the entire world to see.
“There’s still no real interest for RockYourBaby. People are not exactly lining up to buy it.”
“Yet,” he said.
“Yet.” I stepped away from him where I felt a bit safer from the electricity pulsing between them. “Levi, we have to do something about the Lanes.”
“Like what?”
“We just can’t let them give up on each other. They came to Fortune married, and it seems like they’re leaving separated. It doesn’t seem right.”
“And…it’s also none of our business. There is that.”
“But they’re Grace’s grandparents. We should care.”
“We?” He grinned.
I felt warm and flushed. “Can I help it if I care about people?”
“No, you can’t. And I kind of like that about you. A whole hell of a lot.”
“Well…thank you.”
Suddenly Levi’s eyes, so guarded and hooded to me before, were having an entire conversation with me. Interesting the way those blue eyes could speak when they wanted to. But maybe now I needed an interpreter, because they were telling me things I was afraid to believe. Taking this relationship to another level would complicate my life too much. I didn’t need him. Or want him.
