Page 73 of Break Away
After Levi had been whisked away in theambulance, Monica Valdez had taken Zoey’s statement, and informedher she would need to come to the police station the next day. ThenZoey had retreated to her little cottage while the police hadcontinued their business. A half hour ago an officer had knocked onher door to inform her that they would return to finish processingthe scene in the morning.
She’d wanted to go to the hospital but didn’tthink he’d want her there. The last thing he needed was for her tomake him angry, especially after he’d been shot getting her dog tosafety.
For hours she sat on her sofa and replayedevery conversation they’d had, and relived every kiss and touchthey’d shared. He’d been kind, patient, and loving. She hadn’ttaken Emma’s advice. Zoey never really looked beyond the uniform tothe man. She’d been a fool. And the price was losing Levi.
She forced herself to get up and go to thekitchen. She fed Lucy, poured a glass of iced tea, and when she satat her dining table, she put her head on her crossed arms and letthe tears come.
***
The soft knock on the kitchen door rousedher. Wiping her eyes, she flipped on the back light. Levi stood infaded jeans and flannel shirt. The sight of him made her heartstop. She opened the door, holding Lucy back by her collar.
“You’ve been crying again.”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “I’m not a crier, but youwouldn’t know it from the past week.” She stepped back, and heentered carrying a plastic bag. “How are you feeling?”
“Like someone hit me with a baseball bat.” Hestarted to shrug, then winced.
“Are you in pain?”
“It’s better if I don’t move my arm.” Theywere standing in her kitchen, and despite being relieved he wasthere, she felt awkward and stupid.
“Why were you crying?”
She shooed Lucy out of the kitchen and turnedto open the freezer. “Everything adding up, I guess. I have someveggie patties in here, if you want burgers.” She glanced at him.“Have you eaten?”
He nodded. “Mom fed me and sent spaghetti foryou.” He waved the bag at her and set it on the counter. “It’sstill warm. Want to tell me what’s really going on?”
“I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten since noon. It’sbeen a stressful day.”
He gave a laugh, then sucked in a breath. “Ican’t laugh, it hurts. Stressful is an understatement.”
He moved to the table and lowered himselfinto one of the chairs. Zoey filled a plate from the containerTrish had sent, then moved to sit next to Levi. But when she pickedup her fork, she only toyed with the food on her plate.
“Zoey, no more hiding.”
She pushed the plate back, and for the firsttime really looked at him. His face was lined with fatigue. He heldhis body in a way that told her he was in pain. And his entirebeing was focused on her.
She nodded. This was it. Go big or go home.“You were my high school crush.”
“What?”
“You want honesty, there it is.”
“You liked me in high school?”
She nodded. “Took me a long time to get overit. Then you moved in next door to me and it all came back.”
“You still have a crush on me?”
She shook her head. “Your turn. I gave yousomething, now you give me something.”
He caught her hand in his. “I love you.”
She put her other hand to her heart.“Really?” she whispered.
He brought the tips of her fingers to hislips and pressed a kiss to them. “Your turn.”
Trembling, frightened, elated, breathless,she forced herself to bare her heart. “I love you too.”
