Page 73 of Get Lost with You
Northwood was at the northern tip of Smile, practically at the other end. It was a small, gated community of retirement homes.
“That way we’ll have a room for grandkids to sleep over,” her dad added.
“You only have one grandkid,” Jillian said, as if that were the focal point. Tears burned her eyes.
“For now,” her dad said, smiling at Beckett. “But with your brother getting married eventually, let’s hope we get some more.”
Beckett just laughed. Presley grinned at him and Jillian’s chest loosened. She wasn’t losing her family. Things weren’t ending. They were changing.
“Ollie won’t speak to me.”
“I’ve never heard her yell at you like that,” Grayson said.
“She loves Levi,” Beckett said, somewhat tentatively.
Jillian nodded.
“So do you,” Presley said quietly, and Jillian wondered if she was the only one that heard her. Looking around the table, she knew that Presley wasn’t the only one aware of it.
“It’s easier to push happiness away than accept it,” Beckett said, reaching out to put a hand on Presley’s shoulder. “Makes you feel more like you’re in control. But the truth is, you can avoid him physically, even working with him…”
“Though he hasn’t signed his contract yet. We can fire him,” Gray said, making her laugh.
Beckett continued, “… but it won’t stop you from loving him, Jilly. It won’t keep you from being hurt. You’re hurting now.”
He was right. They were all right, and she knew it, but she needed time to wrap her head around all of it, and all of it felt like so much in this moment. Shewashurting, and she’d hurt Levi. He’d called her a coward and that hurt too. Especially when she considered the fact that he might be absolutely right.
Thirty-five
Levi was going stir-crazy. Locking the door behind him, he headed down the stairs on the side of Pete’s garage, not expecting to nearly run into the guy when he rounded the corner. Pete was staring at the near-empty garage. In between everything else, the Kellers, his mom and her friends, and Levi had carted items to the dump, the museum, Goodwill; wherever it needed to go.
“I forgot how big this space is,” Pete said, looking over. “You look like shit.”
Levi laughed. Because what else could he do? “Thanks.”
“Heard about you and Jillian.” Pete turned to face him.
They hadn’t been together long, but this was Smile, after all, so Levi didn’t know if the cook meant them being a couple or ending it. “Which part?”
Pete shrugged. “It’s Smile. Heard you were together and that she broke up with you. Women are hard to read. Even when you know them well.”
Levi stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared into the distance. Garbage cans were out for pickup in the back alley. Birds circled overhead, hoping to find last-minute morsels. “You’re not kidding.”
“You find the right one, though? It’s worth whatever it takes to find a way to keep them in your life.”
Levi stared at him, his chest tight. Fuck. He hated this. “What if they don’t want you in their life?”
Pete shook his head. “Jilly’s a lot of wonderful things, but she’s no actress. That girl’s emotions shine like a billboard announcing every feeling. She wants you. You just have to give her time to see it.”
Levi appreciated the touch of relief Pete’s words brought. “I gotta say, I didn’t expect to get words of wisdom from you on something like this.”
Pete gave a gruff laugh, reached up to pull the garage door closed. “You’ve met my wife. She’s a hell of a woman and damn sure could have done better than me. I might have learned a thing or two along the way.”
Levi would be lucky to experience a relationship half as special as what he’d witnessed between Pete and Gwen. He really believed he and Jilly had what it took to be that kind of couple. The kind that weathered it all. That stood strong no matter how rough the storm. But he couldn’t hold them afloat alone. She had to want it too.
“I’m trying to let her come to the conclusion that we belong together on her own. But that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking of ways to help it along.”
“Knew you were smart. You going to offer anything on behalf of the lodge for Founder’s Day?”
