Page 7 of Get Lost with You
They waved to Mo as she picked up the receiver. When they stepped off the little porch and onto the sidewalk, the sun was lifting in the sky, casting a warmth over them that Levi wanted to soak up. He’d enjoyed the city, but damn it was good to be home where he felt like he could actually feel the sun on his skin.
When Levi looked over to tell Jillian how glad he was to be home, his words caught in his throat. Something about her, even before he’d had the ill-fated crush and even after all these years, pulled at his heartstrings.
No one could blame him for the bit of nostalgia and longing that hovered around his heart muscles. She brushed a strand of her long, wavy auburn hair behind her ear. Her dark brown eyes found his, making his heart bounce like a rubber ball. Shit. He realized right then that at the top of his list of things he’d missed, but hadn’t let himself think about for all these years, was spending time with Jillian Keller.
Four
Jillian reminded herself that she needed to get the cupcakes to the school before they melted.Or before you do, under the heat of Levi’s gorgeous green-eyed gaze. Home for good, like thinking of him conjured him up.She glanced his way, smiled. It was like the hue of his eyes had matured and aged as well as the rest of him. And yes, he still had the goddamned sanity-melting dimple.
Focus on something safe. Work. Kids. Not the way his biceps stretch the fabric of his T-shirt or the way he fills out those worn jeans. Definitely not the way the hint of stubble makes you want to rub up against him like a cat. Or the way his hair still falls in his eyes when he lowers his chin. The way his laugh still makes you smile without warning.She’d worn a sweater to fight off the brisk morning air, but now she was practically sweating. Jillian wasn’t opposed to working up a good sweat in a scheduled and preplanned way. Like a hike. A bike ride. Jillian preferred things she could be in charge of; things that allowed her to orchestrate, or at least guide, the outcome.
Levi fell into step beside her like he had nowhere better to be. The natural move filled her with nostalgia and a bit of déjà vu for the times when they’d all stroll together down this very street. The shops on Middle Street were open but, lucky for her, none of the shop owners were on their stoops chatting or hanging out. That could change at any moment.
When Smile was founded, Ernest Simel had focused on creating a town center near the water. For years, the town was a total of five streets, this one right in the middle. The island town had grown exponentially, but one of the things Jillian loved was there were no cars allowed on Middle Street. This allowed it to keep the old-timey, slow-paced feel even with the updated shops and amenities.
“It feels weird. So much is the same but it’s also completely different,” Levi said as they crossed at the rainbow crosswalk toward the water. There was a walking and bike-riding path that would lead them to the school.
She felt like Ollie must when adults told her to hang on to her questions. They were bubbling up inside of her like water in a teakettle. What about the food industry? That was why he left. What happened to his job? What would he do here now that he was home? Had he fallen in love while he was away? Oh, gosh, had he brought someone home with him?Breathe. Or at least, try to chill.
“I get that. It’s an accurate description. On one hand, we still have the community chalkboard, but on the other, there’s been over a dozen new shops that have opened up in the last three years.”
She’d felt similar when she’d come home. There were enough similarities to feel comfortable but enough progress and changes to not feel claustrophobic after living in a big city. Coming back, being surrounded by her family, back where she belonged, where Ollie belonged, smoothed many of the jagged edges married life had left her with.
Levi glanced at her. “You look good, Jilly. You went into accounting, right?”
Catching up just like regular friends would. No one had to know that being near him unearthed a longing she thought she’d buried years ago with her old diaries. She didn’t even have toadmit to herself that hearing him say she looked good made her want to stand up straighter. Or maybe hug him.Because that wouldn’t be awkward.
“I did. I worked at a firm here in town but took a break to help Grayson with his lodge and ended up loving it. I mean, I do his accounting, but there’s more to it than that. I gave up my old job but kept a few freelance clients. I also work a few days a month as the office business manager for the school.”Babble much?
“My mom told me about the lodge. I need to see your brothers. I can’t believe all three of the Keller siblings are back here and working together.”
He stopped on the cobblestone walk, the breeze coming up off the water making his hair dance and her fingers itch to tame it.
He was different but so much the same, she didn’t know what to do with the feelings wrestling each other in her chest. “Trust me, none of us could have predicted it.”
Levi’s eyebrows rose, a mischievous smile on his kissable lips.Lips, Jilly. Just lips.
“How’s Beckett, besides on the fence about being engaged? I cast a ‘yes’ vote on the whole proposing-in-public debate,” he said.
Jillian laughed, shifting the bag in her hand. “Beckett hates that their names are up there. Honestly, I think Presley put up the poll just to tease him. He’s not really on the fence. He’s so in love with Presley, he’d marry her tomorrow if he thought she’d say yes. They’re just taking their time. He opened a bike shop, so they’re busy with that.”
“Right. I got an email last summer about a grand opening,” he said, watching her closely enough that she worried she’d blush under his gaze. “It’s perfect for him. Everyone is doing what they love. You can’t ask for more than that.”
Jillian bit her lower lip. There was something beneath thehappiness in his gaze; something she recognized. Longing? Her stomach tightened with unfamiliar feelings. It’d been a long time since she’d worried about anyone’s happiness, other than Ollie’s or her family’s.
“No. You really can’t.”
He started walking again so she did as well, wondering if he was going to accompany her all the way to Ollie’s school.
The quiet between them wasn’t awkward or stilted the way it could be in certain situations. Like during her last date, or a conversation with Graham.
“Your mom must be glad you’re home.” She said it softly.
Not only had she caught the comment about hoping his dad felt the same, but the discord between him and Steven Bright wasn’t a secret. Levi’s dad had planned for him to join his construction business. Obviously, it was still a sore spot.
“She is. I think all parents are probably the same; they want their kids close. How about your parents?”
“They love that we’re all here; especially Ollie. But the weird thing is, now they’re the ones leaving.” Jilly lifted one arm to wave at Anderson, who was down by the docks talking with Gramps, Smile’s mayor and, as far as they knew, no one’s actual grandpa.
