Two Levi
I lean against the kitchen counter, pouring what most people would call an absurd amount of caramel syrup into my iced coffee. The clink of the spoon against the glass is the only sound in the room, mixing with the rich aroma of fresh coffee that fills the air. I watch the syrup drizzle down the glass, then add a generous helping of whipped cream. The drink is more dessert than coffee by now, but that’s just how I like it. Don’t judge me.
Anyway, I needed the sugary distraction. I’ve spent most of the night replaying the coffee shop incident. My mind is stubbornly fixated on the girl with the blue eyes, and strawberry lips.
The front door creaks open, and in come the guys. All filling into the kitchen like they’re home. Bodhi is the first to glance at my coffee, his eyes narrowing as he takes in my marvelous creation.
He’s so jealous.
“Man, one of these days your coffee is going to kill you.”
I smirk, taking a slow sip, letting the sweetness settle on my tongue.
“Don’t be negative Bo, everyone needs a little sugar in their life.”
Knox chuckles from his seat at the table, “Levi, I think most men get their sugar fix from a woman. If you know what I mean.”
He wiggles his eyebrows as the kitchen erupts into laughter, the sound bouncing off the walls. I roll my eyes but can’t help grinning.
“I’m quite happy with my coffee, thank you.”
I nurse my drink, trying to shake off the distracting thoughts. Yes, I’m an unmarried, childless man who spends all of his time with animals or watching Disney movies. I’m a thirty-four-year-old teenager! Let me live my best life. Plus, the women in this town are not for me. They spend their time chasing, or should I say hunting, the bull riders. No. Thank. You. I’ve had my broken heart moment, and I don’t plan on going through that again.
Noah’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
“Have you met the new temps yet, Levi?”
“Not yet, bud.”
It was my dad’s idea to hire temps this summer. Coincidence he isn’t here to help with them? I think not. He’s decided to spend the summer with Uncle Henry, leaving me and Colton to deal with them. Which, of course, means Colton’s already taken on more than his share of responsibility. Not that he wouldn’t. It’s what he does—Mr. Reliable.
I glance over at my brother, who’s leaning against the counter, talking with Hunter and Knox about the upcoming rodeo. Colton’s the complete opposite of me in so many ways. Always the serious one, the sensible one. If I’m the guy who’ll take a shortcut and hope for the best, Colton’s the guy who’ll map out the long route just to be safe, double-checking everything along the way.
If there’s a rule, he’ll follow it—hell, he probably helped write it. Sometimes, I wonder if the guy ever actually relaxes. You’d think his idea of fun was balancing the ranch’s books or checking fence lines twice in one day. There’s only thirteen months between us, but he’s got this unshakable sense of duty that honestly makes me look bad half the time. I try not to let it get to me, but damn. Little brothers aren’t supposed to be the responsible ones.
I smirk to myself, thinking back to when we were kids. Even then, he’d be the one telling me to slow down before I broke something—or myself. He’s always been the one to think things through, while I’m more likely to wing it and deal with the consequences later. But that’s Colton for you: steady as a rock, even if it means he doesn’t get to enjoy the ride.
“And let’s just say, they both add a nice change of scenery to the ranch,”
Hunter says, his voice carrying a note of amusement. I barely register his words before the kitchen door swings open. I almost spit my coffee out. There she is—the coffee shop girl. Holy shit. My heart does a weird little skip in my chest.
“Are my ears burning?”
The girl next to her asks with a grin.
“Just telling Levi and Colton how well you two are going to fit in here,”
Hunter adds. The coffee shop girl chuckles, the sound warm and comforting, like sunlight after a storm. It seems to draw everyone’s attention—mine most of all.
“Well, we’ll do our best not to disappoint,”
she says, her voice light but steady. Then she looks up, locks eyes with me. And freezes.
Her cheeks flush a deep pink, and it takes everything in me not to chuckle.
Without hesitation, I cross the room, holding out a hand. “Levi Monroe. Ranch lead.”
She stares at my hand for a moment before taking it. Her hand is small and soft, and when our palms meet, something electric shoots through me.
“Hi,”
she says quietly, not quite meeting my gaze.
Her auburn hair falls forward, hiding her face, but I don’t miss the way her blush deepens. This is the same girl who got on her knees in public and rubbed my—yeah. What are the odds?
“Well, nice to meet you. Sunny, is it?”
She finally looks up, her blue eyes meeting mine.
“Or Sun. Whichever you prefer.”
I lean in, dropping my voice so only she can hear. “I prefer you on your knees.”
Her eyes widen, her blush spreading like wildfire. She clears her throat, flustered but trying to hide it.
She’s adorable when she’s embarrassed.
“Hey, I’m Paisley,”
the blond says, stepping forward and extending her hand.
“Nice to meet you,”
I reply, shaking it, though my focus remains on Sunny.
“Don’t mind my brother,”
Colton interjects, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “He’s not usually this weird. Maybe Bodhi’s right…too much sugar has finally gotten to him.”
Sunny bites down on her bottom lip as if to hide her smile. But I catch it. And I like it.
***
As the group finish their coffee and begin to head outside, Sunny gives me one last, lingering look. I can practically feel her curiosity from across the room. Stepping outside, the morning air is crisp and cool. The ranch is already coming to life. I take a deep breath, letting the familiar smells and sounds ground me. This is my life; every inch of this land is under my care while dad is away, and I take pride in it.
“Okay, ladies,”
I begin, looking between them, “While you’re with us, you will be helping out with the horses. They need to be exercised, groomed, fed, the usual. We’re also going to get you to do some training in the round pens with Colt.”
Colton steps in, his usual serious expression on his face. “We’ll start by showing you how we handle them in the pens until you get the hang of it. Noah will be nearby to help with anything else you might need.”
Handing Sunny a walkie-talkie, I feel our fingers brush. The touch is fleeting—barely a second—but it sends a jolt up my arm. Her skin is warm, soft, and the sensation lingers long after the moment passes.
It’s stupid. Ridiculous, even. But my heart’s beating so fast, my hand still buzzing.
What is wrong with me? Get a grip, Levi!
Maybe Knox is right. Maybe I do watch too many lovey dovey movies as Knox would say. Hell, I didn’t think they were rubbing off on me like this, though. I mean, who even reacts this way to something so… small? It’s a touch, not some life-altering event. Yet here I am, acting like I just met my future wife. And my heart is still beating way too fast for a moment that’s already come and gone.
Trying to gain some composure, I look into her baby blues, “If you need us, use this to get in touch,”
I say, my tone a little sharper than intended as I try to regain control. Sunny hooks the walkie-talkie into the waistband of her jeans with a smile, “Better get to work then,”
she says, her voice is quiet but playful as she turns to leave. I’m unable look away as her hair catches the sunlight, matching the unexpected confidence in her stride.
Then, she catches her own foot and stumbles forward. I can't help but chuckle, “You okay there?”
I call out.
She doesn’t look back. Instead, she pops her thumb up as she keeps on walking. Her head shaking like she’s both embarrassed and laughing at herself. It’s endearing, and I find myself grinning wider than I mean to.
Colton’s arm around my shoulder manages to snap me out of my trance. “Come on, big brother,”
he says, laughing. “Let’s head to work.”
I shake my head. This is going to be a long summer.