Page 99 of My Greatest Joy

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

LEVI

DAY 27

It’sthe day I’ve been dreading, but it’s unavoidable.

For the past week, we’ve spent as much time together as we could, baking cookies, drinking hard cider, snuggling by the fire, and making love. It’s been a perfect bubble that’s about to burst.

Fallon stirs next to me as I hold her against my chest. My palm rubs over her back, wandering down her spine to her ass. Everything about her is perfect, and I hate that I have to let her leave today.

I’d get on my knees and beg her to stay if I thought she would. She has to return to her life and job in Seattle, and although we could try a long-distance relationship, neither of us has mentioned it. We both know it probably wouldn’t work given that she travels, and I can’t leave Dasher or be away from the farm for weeks at a time. It’s my life, and leaving my family would be impossible.

This is what we agreed to, and I have to respect it, even if I’m dying inside.

“I never wanna get out of this bed,” she murmurs as she inches closer.

I smile at her words, nodding in agreement.

“Me neither, but we have to.”

“Just five more minutes,” she pleads, squeezing her arm tighter around me.

I can’t deny her that, so I stay put.

“Do you think Dasher will wonder where I am?” she asks moments later, sadness coating her voice.

“Probably. He got used to your shit-talking.”

She chuckles. “My clothes are gonna be full of his hair forever.”

“Welcome to being a dog parent where you vacuum three times a week.”

“I wish I was home enough to have a pet.”

“What about a fish?”

She snorts. “They still have to be fed. But I’d probably find a way to kill it, trust me.”

“You could get a cat. They have automatic litter boxes, along with food and water wells. That way you wouldn’t have to worry about it for like ten days.”

“I’d feel guilty leaving it alone that long.”

“That’s how I feel about Dasher when I have to work long days and can’t bring him with me. I just imagine him having the best naps and not giving a shit I’m gone.”

She laughs, then leans up to look at me. “Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m gonna miss that fur ball. And his hot owner, too.”

I wrap a piece of hair around her ear and rub the pad of my thumb over her cheek. “His owner is gonna miss you as well.”

Tears swell in the corner of her eyes, and I catch one before it falls. “Let me make you some coffee and breakfast before you leave.”

“I’d like that. I have to finish packing and take a shower.”

I kiss her forehead. “Perfect, I’ll have it ready by the time you’re out.”

I’m tempted to roll her over and devour her one last time, but we spent yesterday evening saying goodbye for hours. There were so many times I wanted to tell her how my heart was aching, and that my house would forever feel empty with her gone.

But that wouldn’t help either of us.

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