Chapter Six
LEVI
I’d just finished stocking a new shipment of craft beers at Skyline when my phone buzzed—an incoming text from Tessa: Hey, big brother. I’m back in town. At the Velvet Book if you wanna talk.
My heart thumped. Tessa was back. It had been nearly a week since I’d discovered her impersonation scheme with Mindy, and while part of me wanted to shake some sense into her, another part recognized she’d done it with good intentions—or so I kept telling myself.
I fired off a quick reply: On my way.
Rachel caught my eye from behind the bar, raising an inquisitive brow. “You good?”
“I think so,” I muttered. “Gotta take off for an hour. Kids are at school, Mindy’s prepping her employment contract with the Visitors Bureau. Text me if you need anything.”
She waved me away, telling me Skyline wouldn’t fall apart. Meanwhile, I tried to steady the anger with my sister that had been simmering for the past week and was now threatening to boil over.
The Velvet Book was a cozy little shop near the town’s lone bakery. Plush armchairs sat by the windows, and local artisans’ crafts dotted the shelves alongside novels. Tessa stood near a display of antique maps, wearing a stylish sweater, dark jeans, and an air of guilt.
When she spotted me, her face broke into a tentative smile. “Levi.”
I inclined my head, swallowing my frustration. “Tessa.”
She shifted, hugging her elbows. “You want to talk here or find a nook?”
“Let’s find somewhere with some privacy.”
We picked a quiet corner lined with old paperbacks. An overstuffed love seat beckoned, and Tessa perched on one cushion while I leaned on the armrest, arms crossed.
“So,” I began, fighting to keep my voice calm, “you decided to skip town right after sending me into chaos for a week. Nice.”
Tessa sighed. “I’m sorry about that. But I knew that someday you’d thank me.”
My annoyance flared. “We’re not at thank you territory yet. You impersonated me on a dating app and tricked Mindy into coming to Hope Peak with her sons.”
Tessa brushed her dark hair from her face, mouth curving in a half-smile that verged on smug. “And look at you. You’re practically glowing. Don’t pretend you don’t love having them around.”
My chest tightened. I wanted to stay mad, but I couldn’t deny the truth: since Mindy and the twins arrived, my house no longer felt hollow. The ache of loneliness I’d barely acknowledged was easing, replaced by the warmth of a makeshift family. Still, Tessa had no right to force that on me.
“You went too far,” I said, voice low. “This wasn’t some minor matchmaking stunt. Mindy uprooted her entire life, believing she was talking to me. You lied to both of us.”
Tessa swallowed, regret flickering in her eyes. “I know, Levi. But after Mom and Dad died, you basically devoted yourself to raising me. You took on all that responsibility alone. Once I got older, I realized you never had space to live your own life. So I thought: ‘If I find him someone else to fuss over, maybe he can finally open his heart again.’”
My anger faltered. It was true I’d been overprotective of her, having only recently come to the realization that my little sister had grown into an adult woman capable of making her own decisions. “That’s not an excuse to catfish a single mom,” I muttered.
She spread her hands. “I get that now. Trust me, I do. But once I started posing as you online, I discovered Mindy’s a genuinely sweet person who’s had her own heartbreaks. She raised those kids basically alone, you know. The more we chatted, the more I thought this might be a perfect match. Both you and Mindy could use some unconditional support.”
I exhaled. “You realize how insane that is? You pretended to be me.”
Her expression grew more somber. “Yes. And by the time I knew she was serious about moving here, it was too late. I panicked, didn’t know how to come clean, so I…took off to Florida with Ryder.” Her throat bobbed. “I hoped you’d somehow make it work if she showed up. And you did.”
My jaw clenched. “What about Mindy in all this, though? She’s the one who sold her stuff, left her city, trusting a man she’d never met. You put her through hell.”
Tessa’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m aware. I’m going to accept responsibility, apologize to her. If she never forgives me…well, I’ll understand. But maybe, if you two fall in love”—she offered a watery grin—“she can cut me some slack.”
I stared at my sister for a beat, torn between anger and empathy. I saw the same Tessa I’d practically raised after our parents died—headstrong, determined, but never malicious. She’d always believed in romantic leaps of faith. Meanwhile, I was the cautious one.
“I’m still upset,” I managed. “You overstepped. But we do love each other, right? That’s what this is about. You wanted to help. I get that. I’ve done the same for you, pushing you to make the right choices.”
She nodded, tears slipping free. “Exactly. We overstep because we care.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “You need to own up to Mindy,” I insisted. “Give her a genuine apology. She deserves that.”
“I will,” Tessa whispered. “I promise. She’s…she’s a wonderful person, Levi. She might forgive me. And if you’ve caught feelings for her, all the better.”
I rubbed my face, heat creeping into my neck. “I…yeah. I have feelings. But that’s between me and Mindy.”
Tessa’s mouth curved. “Of course.”
I inhaled. “For now, we’re good if you apologize properly. And please, no more meddling.”
She let out a shaky breath, wiping her cheeks. “Deal. Thank you for not hating me. I know I messed up.”
“Big time,” I muttered, though my tone softened. “But you’re still my sister.”
She stood, and we shared a brief, tight hug. Despite everything, love for my kid sister coursed through me. Damn it, I thought, this is exactly how we do. We overstep, we clash, but we’re family.
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That evening, after Tessa promised to arrange a meet-up with Mindy soon, I headed back to Skyline. Mindy wanted to pick up the twins from school and join me later for dinner here. She was juggling board-meeting follow-up calls but said we’d see each other around six.
By the time the clock neared six, the bar’s after-work crowd was trickling in. Rachel handled orders, while I chatted with a couple of regulars. Then the door opened, and I spotted Mindy entering, twins in tow. Connor and Cody beelined for the Mario Brothers arcade, big grins on their faces. Mindy gave me a small, warm smile.
Before I could greet her properly, a flirty voice cooed from my left. “Levi, sweetie, is that you?”
I stifled a groan. Kylie. She was an old fling from a couple of years back, known for her overt flirtation whenever she was in the mood. She sidled up to the bar, leaning forward so that her low-cut top was hard to miss.
“Didn’t realize you were so busy these days,” Kylie purred, tapping my arm with her manicured nails. “Heard rumors you’ve got a family living with you.”
I forced a tight-lipped smile. “They’re friends who needed a place. How have you been?”
Mindy approached quietly, her eyes flicking between me and Kylie. I caught a hint of discomfort in her posture. The last thing I wanted was for Mindy to get the wrong idea.
Kylie tossed her long, honey-hued hair. “I’ve been lonely. Maybe we can catch up, hmm? Or do you prefer to play dad these days? You haven’t gotten a dad bod yet, though, I’m happy to see.” Her eyes drifted down my body, and heat instantly crawled up my neck. I cleared my throat. “Kylie, please don’t.”
Mindy stepped closer, politely. “Levi, we’re grabbing a table, okay?” Her voice was calm, but I sensed the tension.
“Sure,” I said. “I’ll come by in a minute.”
Kylie glanced at Mindy, her eyes narrowed. “Oh, so this is the new occupant. And those out-of-control kids are…yours?”
An awkward beat passed. Mindy forced a smile. “We’re good friends with Levi, yes. Excuse me, I’ll check on my boys.” She walked off, head held high.
I turned to Kylie, frustration simmering. “Look, I’m busy right now. If you want to chat, let’s keep it friendly. Mindy’s a guest, and those kids are under my watch.”
Kylie pouted exaggeratedly. “Oh, I see. Fine. Just don’t forget who had your attention first.” She winked, swirling her drink, and sauntered to a nearby stool.
I exhaled. Great. So that fiasco had just played out in front of Mindy. No doubt she was upset—or at least rattled. Need to fix this. Stat.
When I joined Mindy at a booth, the twins were too absorbed in studying the menu to notice the weird tension between us. Mindy, however, was fiddling with a napkin.
“Sorry about Kylie,” I said quietly, leaning closer so the kids couldn’t hear. “She’s an old acquaintance…sometimes too forward for her own good. Not just with me, either.”
Mindy’s lips pressed thin. “It’s fine. You don’t owe me an explanation if you dated her.”
“I didn’t date her, exactly,” I clarified. “We had a brief fling, but it’s long over.”
She let out a slow breath, nodding. “Okay. Sorry if I seemed off. It just caught me off-guard. And we’re just…friends.”
I recognized a flicker of hurt in her eyes, something that reminded me how fragile her trust might still be. Reaching across, I touched her hand lightly. “Hey, maybe after you drop the boys off—didn’t you say they have a sleepover tonight at Logan’s?”
She nodded. “Yes, they’re spending the night, no school tomorrow. Why?”
“Can we talk alone afterward? I want to discuss something important.”
Her gaze searched mine, then softened. “Sure. I should drop them off around seven-thirty, eight at the latest.”
I squeezed her hand gently. “Thank you.”
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The time on my phone read 8:12 pm. I paced my living room, a swirl of thoughts competing for center stage. Tessa’s confession, the Kylie fiasco, and the confession I needed to make to Mindy about my growing feelings. Not to mention how Tessa planned to apologize to her soon.
When Mindy arrived, the house was quieter than usual with no twins around. She slipped off her jacket and hung it in the coat closet.
“Boys are safely at Logan’s,” she said. “They were so excited. Logan’s parents seem like good, kind people. Logan has two younger sisters, so he was as thrilled to have Cody and Connor as they were to be invited to a sleepover.”
“Great,” I said softly. “Uh…should we sit?”
We settled side by side on the couch. I angled my body toward her, noticing how her knee brushed mine. The small contact was oddly electric.
“First,” I began, clearing my throat, “I talked to Tessa today. She’s back in town.”
Mindy’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
I explained the confrontation at the Velvet Book, how Tessa admitted she’d catfished Mindy, how guilty she felt, and that she wanted to apologize. Mindy listened intently; her hands clasped in her lap.
“She admitted it was wrong,” I murmured. “Said she’d accept whatever blame you assign. But she also said she saw how lonely you were and thought maybe you and I…needed each other. And that she basically got in too deep to fess up.”
Mindy’s eyes glistened with tears. “I…appreciate that she was thinking of us, but it doesn’t erase the betrayal.” She swallowed hard. “Still, I’m not one to hold grudges if she’s truly remorseful.”
“Trust me, she is.” I paused, wanting to be honest about my own feelings. “Look, I was angry with Tessa for meddling, but the truth is…”
Mindy lifted her gaze, searching my face. “Yes?”
My heart pounded. “She might’ve had a point. The more time we’ve spent together…me, you, and the boys…the more I realize how empty my life was before. I didn’t see it until you showed up.”
She sucked in a shaky breath, tears edging her long lashes. “Do you…do you resent that…feeling forced into a relationship?”
“No,” I said firmly. “I’m grateful. Confused, sure, but…I’m developing feelings for you, Mindy. It’s happening faster than I ever expected.”
A tear slipped free, and she wiped it, voice trembling. “I’m so scared, Levi. Every time I’ve relied on someone, they vanished. My parents basically left me to fend for myself after the twins were born. Their new families took priority, and neither of them exactly approved of my being an unwed mother. And the twins’ dad was never in the picture, so I learned to survive on my own.” She swallowed thickly. “I guess what I’m saying is, I’m scared of getting my heart broken again.”
My chest twisted. “I get it. I lost my parents young, and committed to raising Tessa, so I closed myself off. Didn’t want to risk more loss. But with you…”
She let out a sobbing laugh. “You’re making me believe in second chances. That’s both terrifying and wonderful.”
I brushed a strand of coppery hair from her cheek, heart hammering. “I don’t want to hurt you. I want to…take care of you, the way you take care of the boys. The way you make me feel alive again.”
She exhaled shakily. “I want that, too. But you have to know, if we do this…I don’t do casual. My kids come first. They have to. I’m all they’ve got.”
I nodded, voice thick. “Of course. I’d never want to disrupt their stability. But I…” My voice caught. “Mindy, I want you in my life. And Connor and Cody. For real.”
Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “I…I want that, too.”
Then, as if pulled by a magnet, our lips met in a tentative, trembling kiss. Her mouth was soft, her breath hitching in surprise. We stilled, the hush of the house enveloping us. Slowly, the kiss deepened, emotions swirling—relief, desire, the sweet tang of tears.
I cupped her cheek, and she leaned closer, hands sliding around my shoulders. Our mouths moved in a slow exploration, each second binding us closer. My heart felt like it might burst, the sheer rightness of it surging through me.
She broke the kiss, eyes flicking to mine. “Levi…maybe we can go somewhere more…” She trailed off, cheeks flushed.
Heat rushed to my face. “Bedroom?”
She nodded, standing. Her hand found mine, and I laced our fingers together. Quietly, we padded down the short hallway to the room she’d been borrowing. The overhead lamp cast a soft glow on the plain walls. We paused near the bed, hearts pounding in unison.
She reached for the hem of her sweater, glancing at me for permission. My pulse thundered. “Yes,” I whispered.
She peeled it off, revealing a simple tank top underneath. I let my hands settle on her hips, feeling her soft warmth. Our mouths sought each other again, deeper, more urgent. I could taste her longing, matched by my own.
Time blurred. She tugged my sweater and t-shirt up, and I helped, discarding them on the floor. I kissed her neck, trailing soft nips along her jawline. A little moan escaped her, spurring me on.
We inched toward the bed, sinking onto it. Clothes slipped away between slow, tentative touches: her tank top, my jeans, her leggings. Our skin met in electric arcs. The quiet air filled with ragged breaths and whispered reassurances. I explored her body with reverent hands, pressing gentle kisses over her collarbone, the swell of her breast, the curve of her waist. Her fingers tangled in my hair, drawing me up for another scorching kiss. She murmured my name, and something inside me cracked wide open with an ache of tenderness.
Her eyes shimmered, a tangle of vulnerability and desire. I stroked her cheek, lips brushing hers. “You sure?” I whispered, needing to confirm.
She nodded, exhaling a shaky laugh. “Definitely. I want you, Levi.”
Her admission unleashed a rush of fervor. We moved against each other, exploring every curve and angle, each new touch forging a deeper bond. Our bodies aligned, pulses syncing. I tried to be mindful of her comfort, checking her gaze for any hesitation. Instead, I found trust and desire.
We lost ourselves in the soft hush of the bedroom, breath mingling in quiet gasps. The sensation of her bare skin against mine was overwhelming in the best way—like I’d been starved for warmth, and she was the only source. Her nails grazed my shoulder blades, sending jolts of electricity through me as I ran my hand over her hip, then guided myself into her. We both gasped with pleasure at the sensation. Slowly, carefully, we found our rhythm. She arched beneath me, soft moans escaping her parted lips, and I dipped my head to kiss the hollow of her throat. Every motion was laced with emotion, not just physical need. I whispered her name in, overwhelmed by the intimacy of it all—her trust, her acceptance, her presence in my bed.
As our tempo intensified, Mindy clung to me, face flushed, body pliant under my touch. We rode the waves of sensation together, losing track of time. How could something feel so healing yet so dizzying all at once? It wasn’t just sex—it was a release of all the pent-up heartache, fear, and hope we’d both carried far too long.
When the crest of pleasure hit, it felt like a surge of light flooding my entire being. Mindy gasped my name, clutching me tight, and I pressed my forehead against hers as we both released at once, shaking with intensity. We sank together, chest to chest, hearts thudding in unison.
For a while, we lay there, breathing in sync, limbs still intertwined. The room was quiet except for our shared panting. Eventually, I brushed damp hair from her forehead. She gave me a wobbly smile, eyes glistening with emotion.
“That was…” she started, voice trembling.
“Yeah,” I breathed, trying to regain coherence. “It was everything.”
She let out a soft laugh, turning her face to kiss my palm. “Levi…”
I stroked her cheek. “Shh, you don’t have to say anything. Just…let’s stay here, okay?”
She nodded, a tear escaping her closed lids. “I just…I feel safe, you know?”
My throat constricted. “I want you to always feel that. With me.”
We shared a gentle kiss, no urgency this time, just a promise. At some point, I reached over and tugged the blankets around us, cocooning her in warmth. She nestled against my chest, her fingers tracing light patterns over my skin.
“Tomorrow,” she whispered, “will be complicated. Tessa. The kids. Figuring out what this means…”
I kissed the top of her head. “We’ll figure it out together. Step by step.”
A contented hush settled. Outside, the March night pressed in, but in this small bedroom, everything felt right. The weight of caution and fear softened, replaced by a sense of belonging. Even if Tessa’s meddling had sparked it, I couldn’t regret the outcome.
Mindy’s breathing slowed, drifting near sleep in my arms. I closed my eyes, letting her closeness wrap around me like a protective shield. We might face challenges—past hurts, uncertain futures—but tonight, in this quiet moment, we’d chosen each other.