Four
Jillian reminded herself that she needed to get the cupcakes to the school before they melted. Or before you do, under the heat of Levi’s gorgeous green-eyed gaze. Home for good, like thinking of him conjured him up. She glanced his way, smiled. It was like the hue of his eyes had matured and aged as well as the rest of him. And yes, he still had the goddamned sanity-melting dimple.
Focus on something safe. Work. Kids. Not the way his biceps stretch the fabric of his T-shirt or the way he fills out those worn jeans. Definitely not the way the hint of stubble makes you want to rub up against him like a cat. Or the way his hair still falls in his eyes when he lowers his chin. The way his laugh still makes you smile without warning. She’d worn a sweater to fight off the brisk morning air, but now she was practically sweating. Jillian wasn’t opposed to working up a good sweat in a scheduled and preplanned way. Like a hike. A bike ride. Jillian preferred things she could be in charge of; things that allowed her to orchestrate, or at least guide, the outcome.
Levi fell into step beside her like he had nowhere better to be. The natural move filled her with nostalgia and a bit of déjà vu for the times when they’d all stroll together down this very street. The shops on Middle Street were open but, lucky for her, none of the shop owners were on their stoops chatting or hanging out. That could change at any moment.
When Smile was founded, Ernest Simel had focused on creating a town center near the water. For years, the town was a total of five streets, this one right in the middle. The island town had grown exponentially, but one of the things Jillian loved was there were no cars allowed on Middle Street. This allowed it to keep the old-timey, slow-paced feel even with the updated shops and amenities.
“It feels weird. So much is the same but it’s also completely different,” Levi said as they crossed at the rainbow crosswalk toward the water. There was a walking and bike-riding path that would lead them to the school.
She felt like Ollie must when adults told her to hang on to her questions. They were bubbling up inside of her like water in a teakettle. What about the food industry? That was why he left. What happened to his job? What would he do here now that he was home? Had he fallen in love while he was away? Oh, gosh, had he brought someone home with him? Breathe. Or at least, try to chill.
“I get that. It’s an accurate description. On one hand, we still have the community chalkboard, but on the other, there’s been over a dozen new shops that have opened up in the last three years.”
She’d felt similar when she’d come home. There were enough similarities to feel comfortable but enough progress and changes to not feel claustrophobic after living in a big city. Coming back, being surrounded by her family, back where she belonged, where Ollie belonged, smoothed many of the jagged edges married life had left her with.
Levi glanced at her. “You look good, Jilly. You went into accounting, right?”
Catching up just like regular friends would. No one had to know that being near him unearthed a longing she thought she’d buried years ago with her old diaries. She didn’t even have to admit to herself that hearing him say she looked good made her want to stand up straighter. Or maybe hug him. Because that wouldn’t be awkward.
“I did. I worked at a firm here in town but took a break to help Grayson with his lodge and ended up loving it. I mean, I do his accounting, but there’s more to it than that. I gave up my old job but kept a few freelance clients. I also work a few days a month as the office business manager for the school.” Babble much?
“My mom told me about the lodge. I need to see your brothers. I can’t believe all three of the Keller siblings are back here and working together.”
He stopped on the cobblestone walk, the breeze coming up off the water making his hair dance and her fingers itch to tame it.
He was different but so much the same, she didn’t know what to do with the feelings wrestling each other in her chest. “Trust me, none of us could have predicted it.”
Levi’s eyebrows rose, a mischievous smile on his kissable lips. Lips, Jilly. Just lips.
“How’s Beckett, besides on the fence about being engaged? I cast a ‘yes’ vote on the whole proposing-in-public debate,” he said.
Jillian laughed, shifting the bag in her hand. “Beckett hates that their names are up there. Honestly, I think Presley put up the poll just to tease him. He’s not really on the fence. He’s so in love with Presley, he’d marry her tomorrow if he thought she’d say yes. They’re just taking their time. He opened a bike shop, so they’re busy with that.”
“Right. I got an email last summer about a grand opening,” he said, watching her closely enough that she worried she’d blush under his gaze. “It’s perfect for him. Everyone is doing what they love. You can’t ask for more than that.”
Jillian bit her lower lip. There was something beneath the happiness in his gaze; something she recognized. Longing? Her stomach tightened with unfamiliar feelings. It’d been a long time since she’d worried about anyone’s happiness, other than Ollie’s or her family’s.
“No. You really can’t.”
He started walking again so she did as well, wondering if he was going to accompany her all the way to Ollie’s school.
The quiet between them wasn’t awkward or stilted the way it could be in certain situations. Like during her last date, or a conversation with Graham.
“Your mom must be glad you’re home.” She said it softly.
Not only had she caught the comment about hoping his dad felt the same, but the discord between him and Steven Bright wasn’t a secret. Levi’s dad had planned for him to join his construction business. Obviously, it was still a sore spot.
“She is. I think all parents are probably the same; they want their kids close. How about your parents?”
“They love that we’re all here; especially Ollie. But the weird thing is, now they’re the ones leaving.” Jilly lifted one arm to wave at Anderson, who was down by the docks talking with Gramps, Smile’s mayor and, as far as they knew, no one’s actual grandpa.
“They’re moving?”
The words put a kink in her breathing. She hoped not. “Traveling. They want to follow a band they love in their RV like a couple of groupies.”
Levi’s laugh chased away the melancholy the thought of them leaving brought.
“I can’t imagine my parents doing that. I don’t know how my dad is going to manage the summer of taking it easy.”
He shifted his grocery bags to his right hand then put his left one on her lower back as they stepped off the curb and crossed over to the next street. Little licks of heat traveled up over her back from each of the spots where his fingertips rested. Jillian shivered.
Tilting his chin, he looked down at her with a sweet smile, so much of the old him mixed with the mature, too-hot-for-her-own-good him. “Cold?”
She swallowed, shook her head. It wasn’t good to feel this much. She’d done that once before and ended up a divorced single mom with a low-key distrust of men.
“No.”
Levi turned so they were facing each other, looked at her like he was waiting for her to say more. Nope. She wasn’t putting her foot in her mouth. Not this time. Though, the last time she’d seen him, before he left, it was her mouth she’d tried to put on his that left her swimming in a pool of mortification.
“I’m glad I ran into you, Jilly.”
She could be honest. She was a grown woman. He was a friend of her brothers’. A family friend. “Me, too. I’m glad you’re home.”
He shuffled closer, reached out, and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She had to stop herself from leaning into his touch. You’re just remembering the boy you once loved. Yet, the man looking back at her was every bit as intriguing.
“I feel like it’s where I’m meant to be.”
Because her chest felt too tight, she stepped back. “I should get these to Ollie.”
“I won’t be helping my dad out forever. My end game is to cook.” He started to say more but stopped, pressed his lips together, and then started again, making her wonder what he didn’t say. “Maybe I could make you dinner?” His words came out quick and loud. “I mean, you could also help me with some ideas for what kind of cuisine is missing in Smile and ways to reintegrate myself into the community.”
“You know who you should talk to? Presley.”
He smiled, the lines by his eyes crinkling adorably. Could something be sexy and adorable at once? Yes. Levi Bright.
Focus. “She’s a marketing and media expert. She’s running Smile’s tourism and recently founded a Smile Vacation Concierge service. She puts together packages, gets shop owners to offer coupons and deals, and helps people make the most of their time here.”
Levi took another step closer, and even though there were cupcakes and bags between them, it was like he’d sucked a little of the air right out of her lungs.
“I can’t wait to meet her. So? Dinner? Maybe next week?” His gaze was strong and intense, like he could read her mind if he stared long enough.
Her heart vibrated like a nest of bees, creating a slow, subtle, but powerful hum along her skin.
Jilly’s mouth went dry. Was he asking her on a date? Were her teenage dreams coming true? Did she want them to? She knew people had talked behind their hands, in whispered voices and low murmurs, when she’d returned to Smile. Poor Jillian. Did you hear about her ex-husband? It’s good she’s home with her family. It made her want to hide away.
Dating anyone—but definitely dating Levi—would be something different, but people would still talk. Gossip was fine as long as it wasn’t about her. She couldn’t shield Ollie from stories the way she had when they’d returned home. Levi continued to stare. Why couldn’t she force words out of her mouth? Because you’ve wanted Levi to ask you out since you were fifteen years old.
He grinned, making her stomach jump in a way she felt all the way through her body. “You can’t say no. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
Jillian laughed, a needy, usually silent little voice in her head telling her to say yes.
Before she could, he put a hand in his pocket and said, “I’ll ask Gray, Becks and his girl, my parents and yours. It’ll be like old times.”
Everything lurched to a stop. Just like old times. When you were his friends’ little sister. Of course he wasn’t asking her out on a date. Go home, fifteen-year-old Jilly. You’re all grown up now.
“I have Ollie.”
“Bring her.”
What was the opposite of a date? This. This is so not a date. “Sure. Yeah. That sounds great.”
“Good.” Without warning, he leaned over the bundles in both of their arms and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. She heard and felt his sharp inhale as his lips left her skin. Her heart bounded against her ribs like an overeager puppy who couldn’t control its feelings. Down, girl.
“I’ll see you.” Obviously.
“Yes you will. Have a good day, Jilly.”
She nodded, probably looked like a fool staring after him when he waved and turned back the way they’d come.
She released a pent-up sigh. Ten minutes back in Levi’s presence and she was living out fairy tales in her head, seeing things that weren’t there when she knew better. Even if he was attracted to her, he was close to her brothers. Guys had rules about these things. “No little sisters” was somewhere near the top, even if they’d all grown up.
Seeing things that weren’t there was sort of her specialty. She’d let herself believe Andrew loved her enough to last a lifetime, when in truth, they hadn’t even made it through the first year together without her wondering what she’d gotten herself into. She’d doubted his affection early on, but what scared her, and unfortunately stayed with her long after he left, was that she doubted herself. Her judgment and her ability to make someone stay. In turn, that made her question whether she ever wanted to take that risk again. Even with someone as special as Levi Bright.