Levi jumps up and holds out his hand. I look at it for a moment, the warmth of his gesture sinking in, before I slide my hand into his and let him pull me to my feet. It's a simple gesture, but in that moment, I feel a flutter in my chest, a realization dawning on me that maybe, just maybe, there’s something more between us than I’ve been willing to admit.
Once I’m up and we’re facing each other, neither one of us lets go. We’re suspended in time for a brief moment, as if something is shifting between us in this lightning bolt of a second.
One of his fingers traces a circle on the inside of my palm as the other fingers squeeze my hand gently, this simple act setting off a flash of heat underneath my skin. My thumb, in return, moves slowly back and forth across the back of his hand as we stare at one another. There’s a sensation of electricity, a current of fire that rages through me in an instant.
My heart races, I’m sure he can hear it slamming inside of me. My breath hitches as my eyes land on his lips. Big, full, beautiful smooth red lips that I’ve often wondered about kissing. Thoughts I’ve learned to shove to the side because I value his friendship. So much.
But as I drag my eyes slowly back to his, I’m pretty sure I catch him looking at my lips, too. The movement is so quick and fluid, I’m not sure if I did, but my body is reacting as if he was.
Thisis it. The thing you hear about.
Thismust be what it means to have your breath taken away.
A moment like this needs to be acknowledged or it never happened. Right? I want to pull my eyes from his, but I can’t. They are the most perfect blue, not a sky blue but with more depth, like the Hope Diamond. I saw it on display once, years ago, at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. but it obviously made an impression.
Right now, however, my attention is on this man who stands in front of me. There’s delight dancing behind those bright blue eyes, laughter lingers, and there’s a promise of more. I can feel it even if it is fleeting.
Closing my eyes, I calm myself, wanting to say something. I do my breathwork, breathing in and out slowly, counting to five each time. Only, there is a smell that hits my senses. Like…rotten eggs?
Oh, for the love of all things Taylor Swift, there is an odor floating around us that could knock out a wooden puppet, and that can only mean one thing.
"Oh my…” Levi chokes. “What is that?”
“Toto,” I say, pulling my hand away from the comfort of his so I can fan my face. “And his almighty butt. That is the smell of a dog who has farted.”
“New plan,” he suggests. “How about we take him for a walk and get a bite to eat? I know where the best barbeque in all of North Carolina is. Then we come back and pack?”
Giggling, I cover my mouth and nose with one hand as I swipe Toto’s leash from its hook by the front door with the other. “Last one to make it outside alive buys dinner.”
When he said he knew where the best barbeque was in all of North Carolina, that man was not lying. Pulled pork barbeque sandwiches are my favorite, and the one I’m enjoying now has knocked my socks off.
My mouth waters as I lift the sandwich to my mouth, take another bite, and groan loudly as I do, causing the man sitting beside me on the park bench to laugh.
“I told you these were the best,” Levi says between bites. “This place has been around since my mom was a little girl.”
“I love the history here,” I say after I swallow another mouthful. “It makes it even more special to live somewhere that has such a rich and vibrant past.” I hold my sandwich in the air and grin. “I get to see through your lens some days, too, which makes it even more special.”
A flush hits Levi’s cheeks. “You see it through my lens?”
“I sure do.” I wave my hand at the park around us. “In the past year that I’ve known you, you’ve shown me a lot of what this place has to offer. I knew what Sweetkiss Creek had going for it, but going on hikes with you through the mountains, trying whitewater rafting and inner tubing…I’ve even camped solo one night all because you encouraged me to give it a try.”
Levi points to Toto. “You also have a massive guard dog to take with you when you camp out.”
“That is true.” I laugh. “But I’m out of my comfort zone, you know? That’s what I wanted to do and why I left New York City when I did.”
Levi chews thoughtfully, turning in his seat on the bench to face me. “You’ve only told me that you left New York because you wanted something better, but you’ve never elaborated.”
I nod. “No, I guess I haven’t.”
“Care to…elaborate?”
Putting my sandwich back in its wrapper, I look atthe ground, summoning my words. This is one story I’ve not shared with anyone here since I moved to Sweetkiss Creek. It’s my backstory and not one I’m proud of, but it’s mine.
Actually, I take that back. I am proud of it because I’m the one who came through it all, but still. Levi Porter is about to get a whole lot of me being really vulnerable and raw.
“I think we’re in a place where I can do that.” I say my words slowly, giving myself time to summon my courage.
“Hit me with it,” Levi says with a laugh, nudging me in my ribs with his elbow. “What was childhood and family life like for you in New York?”
