Page 59 of Perfect Guy

“I wanted to see you.” I lean in and kiss her cheek, lingering longer than necessary.

“Me too. Come on.” She grabs my hand, not a care in the world, and drags me over to her family.

Hallie hugs me immediately. I clap Wilder and Levi’s hands before waving at Camille. I’ve only spent some time with her, so I’m still getting to know her.

“Oli, this is Canaan, a friend of mine,” Madelyn says when he looks up at me with a furrow.

“Your boyfriend. I heard Mommy and Horseman talkin’ ’bout you.” He gives me a once-over. For a four, almost five-year-old, he’s got the stare-down perfected.

I choke on my laugh, and Madelyn’s eyes widen.

“Oli!” Camille chastises him, but he shrugs and looks back at the horse.

“We were talking about how cute you guys look,” Camille explains, trying to fix her son’s outburst.

“Not how Levi wants to kick my a-…behind?” I look between them.

“Nope, that’s only if you hurt my little sister. I don’t give a you-know-what if you’re older than me and some kind of hero in this town, I can take you.” Levi narrows his eyes at me.

I lift my hands while Madelyn quietly warns her brother off.

“It’s best he knows where we stand from the beginning,” Levi shrugs and raises a brow. “After all, you did the same for your sister.”

“Okay, this is ridiculous,” Madelyn crosses her arms. “What the hell is wrong with you?” She shoves Levi’s shoulder.

“I thought we had talked about this. Canaan’s a good guy. Wilder, you’re friends with him. Levi, you know he’s not gonna screw me over, and you’re one to talk.” She lifts a brow and glares at him knowingly. My eyes widen that she has the balls to say that in front of his girlfriend. Levi wasn’t a saint before he met Camille, but he never led anyone on either.

“But you’re my little sister.” He shrugs without a care in the world.

“And you need to let me be a woman, not a little girl.”

“Oh…” He scrunches up his face. “Please, stop. I don’t want to hear about that. You’re a girl, not a woman.”

Madelyn laughs in disbelief. “Right, okay.” She rolls her eyes and looks at me. “Sorry for the sudden protectiveness from this one. I’d expect it from Wilder, maybe, not Levi.”

Hallie looks at us with raised brows, probably as surprised by Levi’s comments as I am. I agree with Madelyn. Wilder may talk to me about treating his sister right, but Levi’s usually more carefree.

Wilder squeezes Levi’s shoulder. “Let him be. Canaan can’t be intimidated by you. He’s seen you pissed drunk, trying to strip in front of a crowd.” Wilder smiles at me.

“We know you won’t hurt her. And if you do, you’re aware of the consequences.” That’s all he says about it. It’s typical of Wilder to keep things short and straightforward.

“Let’s go before this gets even more awkward, and I dig a hole to bury myself in.” Madelyn looks at Wilder. “I’m taking the ATV.”

“Yeah, it’s got a full tank. Be careful.” Wilder nods.

“Don’t worry about Levi. He’s just getting adjusted to watching Madelyn be a grown-up. He still sees her as that college kid.” Camille smiles at me with a nod.

“Thanks.”

I follow Madelyn, wondering about the ATV and glad to step away from that awkward confrontation.

“Sorry about Levi. I don’t know what got into him. Last night you came up in conversation. Jase asked about us dating, and the guys got into protective mode. But they all know you’re a stand-up guy, so I don’t know why Levi, of all people, told you that.” She shakes her head, sliding a door in the back of the barn. It seems like it’s a small attached garage.

“It’s okay. I understand where he’s coming from.” I reassure her and squeeze her hand.

“Thank goodness. Ready to go on a ride?” Her smile is blinding as she looks between me and the ATV.

“There’s only one. Will you be sitting behind me?” I smirk. My dream may come true, even if it’s not on a horse.

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