Three
Levi Bright had missed a lot of things about Smile, Michigan: the water, the view of the mountains and the Mackinac Bridge, his mom, and even his dad. But what he’d truly missed, more than he’d realized, was the quirkiness of the people who lived here. Unique personalities created one hell of a fun vibe in a small town. Something big cities couldn’t compete with.
He’d already been ready to come home for good when his mom called saying his dad had to have surgery. Nothing major, according to her—routine gallbladder removal—but it was the final push that cemented his decision.
Leaving home at seventeen to attend culinary school in New Hampshire was a huge adventure and he’d had a lot of fun. Freedom, working toward his dream of being a chef—what more could he have asked for?
He’d performed well enough to get some prestigious offers from big-name restaurants in different cities. He’d chosen to settle into the Vermont restaurant scene with a few of his culinary school buddies. What he saw of Burlington, when he wasn’t in the kitchen working his way up, was great. But it wasn’t home.
He stared at the community chalkboard that took up a wall in the back of the General Store, his lips twitching at the messages, some scrawled, some printed with fine precision.
I need a dog sitter this weekend. Tipper has some bladder issues are you visiting your parents?”
As they walked side by side to the front of the store, he leaned a bit closer. He hadn’t forgotten that Smile’s official pastime was gossiping. “I’m home for good. I was already packed and headed this way when my dad had to have emergency gallbladder surgery.”
Jillian stopped, turned toward him, her compassion radiating in waves that pulled him closer. “What? Is he okay? How did I not know this?”
He laughed, resisting the urge to smooth her brow with his fingertips. “Despite a lot of evidence, you actually can keep a secret in this town. Not well, but he told his crew not to say anything. You know him—stubborn as a mule and can’t stand being helped.”
“Aw. I’m glad he’s okay. I should cook something and bring it over.”
He wasn’t going to say no to seeing her again, but before he could say anything, her face scrunched adorably.
“Right. As if he needs my lazy lasagna when he’s got a chef on hand.”
Levi cringed. “Lazy lasagna? Jilly.” He shook his head in mock disappointment. “Good thing I’m home. That sounds like a crime.”
She rolled her eyes, amusement shining, and started walking toward the front of the store. He’d forgotten how easy she was to talk to. His work kept him so busy and so focused, he’d forgotten a lot of things. But they were coming back to him.
“Let’s never talk about that again,” he teased.
When he looked down at her, his arm brushed against hers, and sensation traveled through him like a current. Jillian stared up at him for a minute and the muscles in Levi’s chest tightened, making it harder to breathe. Her bottom lip slipped between her teeth and Levi fought the urge to press his thumb against it, tug it out, and replace it with his lips. Shit. Redirect. Redirect .
“I can’t believe you’re home,” she said, her voice breathy.
He couldn’t read her expression, which shouldn’t have been a surprise. He wanted to; he wanted to know what she was thinking. Did she remember the crush they’d had on each other? It wasn’t one-sided, and if he was right about her intentions the night he left, she’d wanted to kiss him every bit as much as he’d wanted to kiss her.
“I’m right here, so it must be true,” he said in a whisper.
Shaking her head and the somewhat dreamy look out of her eyes, she walked to the checkout.
Maureen, the store owner and Smile’s part-time psychologist, was scrolling on her phone when they approached the counter. Her dark brown eyes widened as they closed the distance, a little smile tipping her lips upward. She wore a purple silk scarf around the base of a thick bun that didn’t hide all the gray. Another reminder that time passed. He didn’t want to miss any more of it with these people. Maureen’s happy, all-seeing eyes and wide welcoming smile hadn’t changed a bit.
“Well, look at this,” Maureen said, setting her phone down. “It’s like turning the TV to a retro channel. Last time I saw the two of you here together, I don’t know if either of you were old enough to drive.”
“Ouch. Way to age us all,” Levi said, setting the mangled cupcakes on the counter.
Maureen’s laugh was deep and smoky. “Oldest one in the room is allowed to do that. Levi, you’re not supposed to rough them up first.” She picked up a pack, stared at the smooshed baked goods.
Levi set his basket down on the counter, then helped Jilly unload her arms. “There was a bit of a collision. I’ll pay for them.”
“You don’t have to buy them, Levi. I couldn’t even see where I was going.” Jill opened her wallet, which was handily hooked around her wrist.
Maureen shushed them both. “Don’t be silly. I’m not charging for them. Miles will eat them.”
Miles was her husband. Levi hadn’t seen him yet, but usually he worked in the back of the store, which acted as a post office and shipping depot. Maureen took the cloth bag Jilly produced out of her pocket, started ringing the cupcakes up. “Levi, heard your dad’s surgery went well. Hopefully he won’t go back to eating all that greasy food. Your mom says you’re home for good?”
It felt great to reply with “I am.” It felt even better to see Jilly’s gaze drift to his with the same spark in them he felt in his chest.
“Wonderful. Welcome back. Now, did you get a craving, Jilly, or are you and your brothers meeting up?”
“Ollie forgot to mention she needed cupcakes for sports day today,” Jill said.
“I could have gotten Miles or Anderson to deliver them, honey. No need for you to be running around more than you already do.” Maureen shook her head, loaded the cupcakes into the bag. Then she glanced at Levi. “Though, I suppose things work out as they’re meant to sometimes, don’t they?”
The silence stretched too many beats, which made Levi laugh awkwardly, which in turn made Maureen hoot with unrestrained laughter. Jilly got them back on track by telling them about the sports day at the school.
He liked listening to her talk, and when she spoke about her daughter, her entire body seemed to shift into high gear, like just the thought of her kid energized her. It made him want to move closer and ask more questions to keep her chatting.
Jilly paid, but waited at the end of the counter for Levi’s order to be rung through.
“What will you do now that you’re back? Your mom is always telling us about the fancy restaurant you worked in,” Maureen said, scanning the items.
His end goal was always food. Right now, though, he needed to build some bridges. Literally and metaphorically. “I’m hoping to pitch in for my dad so he doesn’t get behind on his jobs. He’s coming home from the hospital today.”
No need to tell anyone that he was thinking about a food truck that served elevated comfort foods. He gestured to the chalkboard with his thumb. “Maybe I should put that on the board so everyone doesn’t have to ask?” He paid, then scooped up his bags as he joined Jillian at the end of the counter.
“People do love our chalkboard. Even with the new Smile Facebook page, people list everything on there.” Maureen leaned on the counter.
“That’s really nice that you’re going to help your dad out. It’s not always easy to put your own dreams on hold for others,” Jillian said.
Something tweaked in Levi’s chest. The way she said it suggested she knew, personally, how that felt. He hadn’t done that at seventeen, but he could do it now while he got settled and started building his life here. “Let’s hope he thinks so.”
The phone on the wall—which Levi couldn’t believe still existed; the thing was a relic—rang.
“Better get that. You two be good. Glad you’re home, Levi. Tell your mom Miles can deliver if she needs anything.”
His chest warmed. His own tally was proving more people were glad about his return than not. In fact, so far his dad was the only one in the “not” column. He pushed that thought away for later.
They waved to Mo as she picked up the receiver. When they stepped off the little porch and onto the sidewalk, the sun was lifting in the sky, casting a warmth over them that Levi wanted to soak up. He’d enjoyed the city, but damn it was good to be home where he felt like he could actually feel the sun on his skin.
When Levi looked over to tell Jillian how glad he was to be home, his words caught in his throat. Something about her, even before he’d had the ill-fated crush and even after all these years, pulled at his heartstrings.
No one could blame him for the bit of nostalgia and longing that hovered around his heart muscles. She brushed a strand of her long, wavy auburn hair behind her ear. Her dark brown eyes found his, making his heart bounce like a rubber ball. Shit. He realized right then that at the top of his list of things he’d missed, but hadn’t let himself think about for all these years, was spending time with Jillian Keller.