19. Rob
19 ROB
"Oh my god, it's crazy out there!" I escaped into the kitchen after two straight hours of whipping up Easter-themed cocktails. "Whose crazy idea was this?"
Levi flashed that panty-melting smile and pulled me against his chest. "I seem to remember you suggesting this madness." He kissed my forehead. "And I'm glad you did because I'm having so much fun."
I pulled back and noted the pink flush on his cheeks from the heat of the stove, the way the small hairs clung to his neck. "Are you?"
He nodded. "I'm having a blast. Who knew Peter Rabbit Ramen would go over so well with the folks in town?"
I threw my head back and laughed. "Add a blue-dyed boiled egg to a yummy broth with noodles, and you've got yourself a hit. The rainbow deviled eggs are big too."
"Guess that food dye was a solid investment." His smile was filled with love as he leaned forward to kiss me again. "You make my life better, Rob."
Holy swoon. I blinked slowly at first, then faster as tears threatened. "Levi, babe."
His smile faded, replaced by horror. "Don't cry, Rob. Please. Do. Not. Cry."
"I'm not crying," I insisted, even as I swiped at my tears. "You're crying."
His brows furrowed, and then a low, masculine laugh echoed in the kitchen. "Okay, crazy woman. You're so lucky I love you."
"I am so lucky," I agreed.
His smile faded but intensified. "Nah, I'm the lucky one." Levi pressed his forehead to mine. "So damn lucky."
My heart was so full of love for this man, more love than I'd expected to experience at this stage of my life. "I thought moving back to Holiday Grove was a step backward. I thought I'd fade into obscurity here, and the idea terrified me. And then I met you."
"You hit on me," he added with a teasing smile.
"You've made the next chapter of my life exciting and hot and fun." Motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan, but plans change, and I'd learned to roll with the punches. "Thank you."
He hugged me close and growled against my shoulder. "You're making it impossible for me to go slow, you know that?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I know. That's why I'm accepting your invitation to move in together. After our five-month checkup."
"That's still two months away," he pouted.
"You've lived thirty years without me," I reminded him.
"And they were the worst thirty years of my life," he said seriously.
I laughed. "Have I told you how much I love it when you're playful and silly?" He didn't show that side to many people, and I loved when my big, burly lumberjack of a man got silly.
"Have I told you about the new lock on my office door?" He wiggled his eyebrows playfully, but the playfulness faded when I licked my lips. "Rob," he groaned.
"What?" I asked innocently.
He grinned and pushed his hips against mine so I could feel the effect of my words. "You'll pay for that. Later."
"Oh, there you kids are!" Edith's voice sent us flying apart as if we'd been caught doing something scandalous. "No need to pretend on my account. Young love is good for lovers, and good for Holiday Grove."
Levi straightened. "What can I get you, Edith?"
Her cheeks turned pink. "Those blue-cheese deviled eggs are amazing. We want more of those, the rainbow deviled eggs, and Easter mimosas for the whole table."
"Coming right up," we said in unison.
Edith smiled. "I'm taking credit for this match, and I expect to be the flower girl at your wedding."
Silence filled the kitchen after Hurricane Edith left. A wedding. Instantly, I could picture Levi in a plaid tuxedo jacket as I walked toward him. "Small towns, am I right?"
"This place is crazy, but it's growing on me. Kind of like you."
"Just for that, you're getting lucky tonight," I told him, backing away. "But for now, the people are waiting for your culinary genius."
He snorted. "Love you, babe."
I stopped and studied his profile, wondering what I'd done to deserve this gorgeous, sweet man. "Love you more."
And I had a feeling I always would.
The End.