Page 73 of My Greatest Joy

The oven timer goes off, and Levi grabs a mitt. Carefully, he slides the tray out, sets it on top of the stovetop, then removes the skillet from the heat. I enjoy watching him plate our meal.

“Wine?” he asks.

“Sure.”

He grabs two glasses and opens the bottle. Once our glasses are filled, he slides onto the stool next to me.

“What?” he asks as I look down at my plate.

“I seriously have to eat this?”

“Just one bite.” He nudges me. “Try it. You’re almost worse than a kid.”

I playfully smack him, then stab one with my fork. Before placing it in my mouth, I smell it. Then as Levi watches me, I open wide and pop it inside. The outside is crispy, and the inside is squishy, but it tastes…not horrible.

“Well? You didn’t spit it out, so that must be a good sign?”

I pop my lips. “I always swallow the things I put in my mouth, whether good or bad. Not much of a spitter.”

Levi nearly chokes, and I love catching him off guard. I pat his back. “You okay?”

He clears his throat and takes a big gulp of wine. “You’re trying to kill me.”

“These are good. They’re buttery. Not sure why I’ve always refused to give them a chance.” I eat another.

“It’s because you’re stubborn,” he quips.

“No denying that, but somehow, you’ve managed to make progress.”

“It’s my jolly nature.” Levi shoots me a wink.

We continue making small talk while we eat. Randomly, I’ll throw Dasher a piece of salmon, which he quickly gobbles up.

“Keep doing that, and you’ll never be able to eat in peace again.”

“Like it matters,” I say with a laugh. “You’ve raised a beggar.”

After we’re finished, I offer to clean up, but Levi refuses to let me.

“Are you sure you’re the real deal?”

“Huh?” He rinses off the plates and puts them in the dishwasher.

“A man who cooks and cleans. Who’s nice to his mama. Single. Hardworking. Thoughtful. And has a Golden Retriever to match his energy. Do you realize you’re an anomaly?” I can’t even be mad or shocked at all the women who stopped him that day we went into Maplewood Falls. They already knew he was a catch.

He chuckles. “Don’t flatter me.”

“I’m serious,” I tell him. “What skeletons do you have hiding in your closet? Do you have a wife and kids in another country or something?”

Levi wipes his hand on a dish towel, then sets it on the counter. “Nope. Nothing in there but some cobwebs and handfuls of failed relationships. Probably some old ornaments and expired candy canes, too. And that’s the truth. I don’t have anything to hide from you, Fallon. I’m an open book.”

I search his face and can tell he’s being honest. He has no reason to, but I still find it unbelievable someone hasn’t won over his heart.

We go into the living room, and Levi turns on the TV but hands me the remote.

“My turn to shower,” he says, and I nod.

I flick through the channels and land on a holiday movie because that’s all that’s on. It’s not like I’m watching it anyway.

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