Page 5 of Let it Sizzle
And just like that, the air between us shifts. The last eight years collapse into nothing.
His expression stills when he sees me. Brows lifted slightly, eyes wide like he’s trying to decide if I’m real or just some memory that’s finally gotten too loud to ignore. His jaw tightens—just a twitch—but I see it. And I feel it. Right in the center of my chest.
“Serena,” he says, voice deeper now. Rougher. Like whiskey and old promises.
“Levi.” I manage to say his name without my voice cracking. Barely.
He sets the charcoal down on the bottom shelf beside him, straightens to his full height, and walks toward me—slow, deliberate, like he’s not afraid to close the distance. And when he stops in front of me, close enough that I have to tilt my chin to meet his eyes, I realize something dangerous: he smells like cedar and heat, and I am not okay.
“I wasn’t sure if I was seeing things,” he says, gaze scanning my face like it’s familiar and brand new at the same time. “Byron said you were thinking about coming back, I didn’t think it would happen so soon.” Heartbreak will make you run, but I don’t say that.
I laugh, because I don’t know what else to do. “Yeah, well. Even prodigal daughters need groceries.”
He chuckles, the sound rich and warm and far too intimate for a conversation happening next to a stack of bell peppers and tortilla chips. That smile—God help me—that smile is dangerous. Like it’s wrapped in smoke and memory. And when his eyes meet mine again, something flickers behind them. Recognition, maybe. Or regret. Or both.
There’s a beat between us, and I know he feels it too. The weight of everything we were and everything we never had the chance to be is suspended in the space between our bodies.
But it’s Levi who breaks the moment.
“You coming to the firehouse BBQ?” he asks, like he already knows the answer.
I nod, adjusting my grip on my basket and pretending my fingers aren’t trembling just a little. “Byron’s dragging me. He says I need to socialize before I turn into a feral attic goblin.”
Levi’s eyes flash with amusement. “I’ve always liked goblins.”
My mouth curves before I can stop it. “You like trouble, you mean.”
His smile deepens, just enough to do dangerous things to my stomach. “Always have.”
I glance down, suddenly hyperaware of how fast my heart is beating and how close we’re standing. This wasn’t supposed to happen today. I was supposed to get cilantro and tortillas, maybe a frozen pizza for later, and go home.
I wasn’t supposed to seehim. Especially when I’m not even dressed up and probably look like a disheveled ball.No negative talk, Serena.I remind myself.
“I should go,” I say, though I’m not entirely sure I mean it.
Levi doesn’t step back. His gaze stays locked on mine, unreadable but heavy with something unspoken. He nods once, slowly, like he’s giving me permission to walk away even though he doesn’t want me to.
“Yeah. Of course,” he says. “It’s just… it’s really good to see you, Serena.”
I smile softly, warmth blooming in my chest. “You too.”
And then he steps forward.
Before I can process what’s happening, his arm wraps lightly around my back, pulling me in. It’s not a long hug. Not even a full one. Just a brief, awkward squeeze—like he’s not sure if he’s allowed to touch me but couldn’t help himself. His handrests at the small of my back, his chest brushing mine for all of two seconds before he lets go. Because we are old family friends right?
But it’s enough.
Enough for me to feel the heat of his body through my shirt. Enough for my breath to catch and my skin to spark. Enough for my entire bloodstream to remember exactly what it felt like the last time he held me.
He pulls away just slightly, and we’re face to face again, far too close for casual. His hand lingers for half a second longer than it should before he drops it completely.
“I’ll see you Saturday,” he murmurs.
I nod, even though I’m not sure I’ll survive it.
And then I walk away, quickly, limbs shaky, stomach fluttering, heart punching wildly against my ribs like it’s trying to outrun the way his touch still lingers on my skin.
Whatever I thought I was ready for in this town…
