“I have a surprise for you. Later.” His lips lingered against my ear before he pulled away.
“Brat.” I kept my voice low. “You know better than to tease me where I can’t do anything about it.”
“I do.” His eyes added Daddy to the end of that reply, as did his impish grin. “But it’s so much fun.”
I managed to stifle my groan even as I silently added a spanking to the night’s agenda. “Please tell me you’re sleeping over tonight. Is that part of the surprise?”
“That part I can tell you about in public.” Laughing, he kept making dirty promises with his eyes. I had a feeling underwear was involved.
“I’m already counting down.”
“Good. The other project assistant is on call. So, I’m all yours.”
“Excellent. I sleep better with you in my bed.” This was a roundabout way of admitting that I missed him on the nights when he stayed in his small apartment.
He was doing amazing in the property manager role, and all the residents loved him. But I still missed him when he wasn’t around.
“Which is why—”
“I’m not getting myself a dog for Christmas.” I put on the stern Daddy voice because we’d been over this.
“But you could get me a dog, see? I can’t have pets in the site-manager’s apartment, but if you get a dog, I could bring it around to visit a lot. We can share it.”
“Devious.” And if the dog was going to visit Levi a lot here, well then, someone would need to drive it to and fro. And maybe walk it with Levi. And stay for supper. I was beginning to see more of the appeal of this plan.
“Yep.” Levi’s eyes sparkled like he knew he was on the verge of winning. “Can I have a puppy? Please, Da— Hello, Inez. And Doug.”
Of course, my dad and Inez chose that moment to wander over, Dad carrying two plates fully loaded from the buffet. Inez wore an emerald dress and a huge grin as she hugged Levi.
“Still working on your plan to get Joe a dog?”
“Still working on my plan to get us a dog.” Levi shot me a shy glance.
And that did it. I was totally getting a dog for Christmas. Or rather we were getting a dog.
“Is graduate school going to let you have enough time for a dog?” Ever practical, my dad’s eyes narrowed like he was recalling all the pets he’d been saddled with when the three of us kids had become too busy.
“Joe told you?” Levi frowned. Oops. I’d probably hear it later, but I was so proud of him for deciding that he wanted to do more with senior citizens, and be eligible for more leadership and advocacy roles. “First, I have to get in. I’m not looking to move, so my options are more limited—”
“You could move,” I protested. I’d hate it, of course. But I wanted him to follow his dreams and trusted that we could find a way to make it happen as a couple, even if that meant moving.
“But I’m not going to,” he said just as firmly, giving me a look that could wilt a cactus. “There are online options for a master of social work. Something will work out if I don’t get into the college here. And I’m only going back part time, so yes, I’ll have time for a dog. And my favorite human.”
“Aww.” Inez hugged him again. “Well, we’re all rooting for you. You’ll get in.”
“You will,” Dad added, setting the plates on a nearby table. “And we’ll all help.”
“Better not make that offer.” Levi laughed. “I’ll put you on tennis-ball-throwing duty for the future puppy. And if you really want to help, I’ll let you peel the potatoes next week.”
“You’re on.” Dad clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks again for helping Joe host.”
“It’s going to be fun.” Levi flashed his dimples.
I believed him. It would be fun. Our first winter holiday season together. My first time being the one to host Thanksgiving, which I’d volunteered for so Dad could bring Inez without needing Dad to host at the house where we’d all grown up. The new year would bring a For Sale sign to the old house, but thanks to Levi, I was able to keep perspective. It would be fun, picking through childhood mementos with him, and it was fun watching Dad be happy again. The sad parts were still there, but we’d weather them together.
Feel your feels, Levi told me with his eyes, and I nodded. “It will be.”
“I just wish my mom and baby Norah were ready to travel.” Levi had become a big brother in October, another fun thing that had necessitated a last-minute road trip to Scranton to meet the little princess. “Maybe next year. Then Norah will be big enough to meet the nieces and nephews.”