“You inserted me the day you told me,” she says, trudging up the steps, shaking a finger at him. “So you shush and don’t tell your mother how to feel.”
“It’s only temporary,” I call out, hoping to make it all sound better than it must. “Once the case is settled, Levi and I can quietly call thingsoff.”
She watches us both. “I’m not trying to poke holes or make you change your minds, I just want to make sure you both know what can happen here. Plus,” she says as she looks at me, “it is now quite clear to me that you, out of all of us, have a very special kinship with that child. We all need to be very, very careful.”
As she disappears inside the building, Levi and I share a look. He lifts both shoulders, letting them drop. “It’s not that she’s mad, she’s worried.”
“I know.” And I do, but I also can’t take the gravity of all of this right now. I forgot to put on deodorant and I’m starting to feel ripe. Gripping the metal banister leading to the front door, I place all my weight down and start to do my lift and hobble move, but Levi is back at my side, coming to my rescue again.
“Stop that,” he says, his tone filled with gravel and heat. “Let me.”
For the second time this morning, he scoops me up like a sack of feathers and carries me over the threshold. Literally.
The front door opens, and my heart drops. This is the most beautiful open space I’ve ever seen. High ceilings, lots of light…a blank canvas needing some serious interior design love.
“It’s even more stunning than the photos made it seem,” I breathe out.
The few boxes I brought with me are stacked in the center of the living room, which Levi somehow had time to furnish in the last forty-eight hours. He points to the overstuffed L-shaped sofa. “You’re to rest there; I’ll go grab Toto.”
I park myself on the couch, smelling its newness. “Did this just come out of the factory?”
Levi chuckles. “No idea, but it did just arrive this morning from Mr. Altman’s store.”
“We should get going,” Mary announces, looking pointedly at Duncan. “Are you ready, boss?”
He nods, keeping his eyes on me as he does. “But I want to help at the bookstore again this week.”
Tilting my head to the side, I smile warmly and, with a flourish, wave my hand across my leg. “Me and my bum foot would love that. I could really use an extra pair of hands to help.” I glance over at Mary. “As long as you’re not needed at the farm for anything, that is.”
She shakes her head. “It’ll be good for him to be at the bookstore; he really seems to enjoy it.”
“I do,” Duncan confirms. “I like the smell of books, when you open them and put your nose to the pages.”
“Me, too, Duncan,” I say with a nod. He’s like a mini-me and it’s cool. “I’ll even spring for some fresh squeezed lemonade. Deal?”
He nods as there’s a bang and slam outside the entryway. A moment later, one giant Rottweiler is barreling inside, making a beeline for me. Toto makes a quick pitstop to sniff a giggling Duncan before halting at my side.
“Can I come back and see you and Toto?” he asks. “Here. At your place.”
“Well,” I say with a laugh, “let me talk to Levi and see what we can do. I’m not here for very long, Duncan.”
“Do you like this place, Duncan?” Levi asks as he enters the room, holding Toto’s leash in one hand. When Duncan nods, Levi stands up tall. “Good, because we may move in here in a few weeks’ time.”
Seeing the confusion register on the little boy’s face, I jump in. “Once I move out, that is, sweetie. I’m only here for a little bit while my apartment is being fixed. You’ll move in after I go.”
Duncan doesn’t say anything; he only nods, his eyes cutting back and forth from Levi to me, over and over. Mary, seeing the break in conversation, takes the opportunity to grab his hand and usher him and Austin out the door.
“We’ll leave you to get settled,” she says, looking at Levi. “See you back at home?”
Levi nods, and we both watch as the small crew files out the door, leaving us alone.
Just me and Levi.
Me and my fake fiancé, hanging here together.
As he turns slowly to face me, a ripple of excitement makes its way across my flesh, causing me to shiver.
Oh, seriously. Who do I think I am?
