“Hi, Mom. Did you have a good day?”
“I did. I took Phoebe to her music lessons, and then we stopped by the park to play. Such a beautiful night.”
“Gotta take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts,” I say, a lump forming in my throat. Talk of Phoebe is the perfect reminder that I did the right thing by leaving home. I won’t bring trouble to her door. I just need to figure out a way to break it to my mom that I’m staying away for more than a long weekend.
“Are you having fun?”
“Mm-hmm. It’s good to get out.” I scan Levi’s living room—the oversized couch and TV, the big windows at the back of the house that overlook a flagstone patio. Colton and I came here a few times, but not much. The three of us were more likely to hang out at the bar or Brayden’s house. Neutral territory. “I should go. I don’t want to be rude and stay on my phone too long, but I wanted to say good night and let you know I made it okay.”
“Thank you for calling. I love you.”
“Love you too. Kiss Phoebe for me.”
“Of course. Night.”
I end the call and slide my phone back into my purse.
“Who was that?”
When I turn to Levi, he’s dressed. Sort of. A pair of athletic shorts sit low on his hips in place of the towel that was there before, and his chest is still bare, his hair still wet. I still have this need to crawl into his arms and have him wrap himself around me until all the scary in my world disappears.
“I was just checking in with my mom. She thinks I’m in Chicago visiting friends.”
He arches a brow. “How long is that lie going to work?”
I wring my hands. “Through the weekend at the most. Then I’ll have to tell her the truth.”
“What made you decide to come back?”
I swallow and meet his eyes. “I decided that if there’s a reason to be afraid in Jackson Harbor, there’s a reason to be afraid at my mom’s. My niece lives at my mom’s. Leaving was the right thing to do.”
He pulls me into his arms again, and again I’m wrapped in the safe haven of his heat and the reassurance of his strength. He cocoons me in warmth and a smell that’s so uniquely Levi. Is it his deodorant? A body wash? Maybe his shampoo?
“No regrets.”
I pull back. Would he tell me about that memory if I asked? Would he put it in a context? Could I be remembering a dream?
“Want a cup of tea?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I’m good.”
“The guest bedroom’s ready.” He gestures down the hall, and I follow him to a small bedroom. There are stacks of old paperbacks in the corner, and the queen-sized bed is covered by a worn blue quilt. “Thanks. I really appreciate this.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” His gaze drops to my mouth for a long beat, and I wonder if he’ll kiss me again. I wonder if I’d kiss him back this time. “I’ll get out of your way.”
I nod stupidly.
When he’s gone, I sink to the floor, avoiding the bed. I remember the day I realized I was desperately in love with Colton McKinley. I remember the day he saved me from myself by stealing the Discovery collection, and the day he saved me from his father. I promised myself I’d save him in return. Instead, sometime between that moment and agreeing to marry him, I slept with his best friend. I rest my head on my knees. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. Maybe Colton is on the bottom of Lake Michigan. Maybe he’s dead and can hear my apology.
“No regrets.”
I lift my head and stare at the dark hallway. I broke a promise to Levi, too. I regret so much.
Levi
The light on my smoke detector glows green in the darkness, giving me something to focus on as I lie on my back and stare at the ceiling.
She’s here and she’s safe.