Page 113 of Aching for His Discretion

I wanted to interject, but I didn’t. I simply smiled as they bonded. It made me happy knowing my relationship with all five of them has grown so much. They’ve been my brothers and sisters in my times of happiness or crisis, and I couldn’t have been happier to have them in my life. Even if Abbie was starting to scare them as she fluttered her eyelashes.Yeah, I need to put an end to this now.

Walking out of the hospital, I furrowed my eyebrows as Levi was standing somewhat nervously by the car door. As I walked over to him, I tilted my head.

“Levi, is everything okay?” I asked, concerned, and he nodded as he opened the door to the car for me. I watched him cautiously as he grabbed my bags and placed them inside the back seat. As I sat down, he came back around and sat in the driver’s seat, still slightly anxious.

“Levi—” I began, but my words were caught in my throat as he reached into the backseat and pulled out a bouquet of red roses.Am I getting déjà vu? Usually he only brings out roses when he apologizes…

“Teegan, I’ve been thinking all day about what you said, and I do want us to start slow and take things easy. So I won’t get angry or upset if you decline, but I wanted to ask if you’d like to get dinner tomorrow night. Just to talk a bit more and see where things go,” he said, his eyes optimistic.

Hesitating for a moment, I stared at the flowers for a short while as memories flashed before my eyes again.

This is why he was nervous?

As I looked up at him, I bit my lip. This felt…different. I hated admitting it, but Levi had genuinely changed. He gave me spacewhen I needed it, didn’t force me to agree to what he wanted, made sure I was comfortable, respected my wishes, and did his best to calm himself when he was getting angry. I was beyond baffled as the “old” Levi would tell me we were getting dinner while the “new” Levi was practically begging me to.

Back then, I accepted it because I was falling in love. I fell in love with his demeanor, his possessiveness, his affection, and his attention. It made me feel alive, no matter how manipulative or toxic it was to our relationship or my mental health. Now, I felt as though I appreciated his effort in making me choose and not being so controlling. I felt safe like I used to back then. I felt heard and understood.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled as I grabbed the flowers.

“I’d love to, Levi,” I said, and I could immediately see relief wash over him. He grabbed my hand, and I held back a giggle as he placed a small kiss on the back of it like he was silently thanking me.

I thought back to my conversation with the guys, and I looked up at him as he caressed my hand while starting the car.

I know… he’s changed a lot.

You think so?

Elliot’s voice rang in my ears, and I internally sighed. Being an overthinker has its perks, but in times like this, when I want to enjoy the moment, I despise it. Still… I couldn’t help but wonder. I didn’t miss the old Levi per se, but I wondered what happened to him.

What made him change into a man who took deep breaths and voiced his frustration instead of using his fists and anger…? I didn’t want to think about the consequences that could come from an overthinker dating apastmanipulator.

So I didn’t. Instead, I enjoyed the car ride home and pondered the outfit I’d wear for our date.

Chapter forty-eight

Teegan

Sitting in front of my mirror, I finished straightening my hair as my kitty curled up by my feet. Putting it in a half-up, half-down style with two long bangs, I thought about the night I was about to have.

I had my date with Levi this evening, and I was feeling… a bit overwhelmed, to say the least. I was genuinely trying to believe he had changed and that he was making an effort to be a better person, but even after two years, it feltsudden.

I had almost gotten over him. I had thought about dating other people. Jacob crossed my mind a few times, but I turned him down because I felt as if I was still attached. Now that Levi’s back in my life, I find myself trying not to admit how much power he truly had over me and my heart.

As if Grayson read my thoughts, he meowed softly, looking up at me. I picked him up and sighed.

“Don’t tell me you missed him?” I asked, and he simply purred as he cuddled into my shoulder. “I hope you know he isn’t your real daddy… I don’t want you to keep thinking he is just becausehe gives you treats,” I muttered, and flinched as I heard a voice from the door.

“Daddy, huh?” Levi laughed, and I blushed as Grayson jumped out of my arms and ran over to him.

Traitor.

He picked up my little kitty and gazed at my outfit. I wore a cream bodycon dress with puffy long sleeves and open-toe white heels. My dress stopped mid-thigh and definitely accentuated my curves. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I wanted to be pretty for him. I wanted him to compliment me as he did when we were together a few years ago.

He placed my kitty on the edge of my bed as I stood up and faced him. He came over to me and I could see the restraint in him as he didn’t want to push the boundaries I set when he came. His eyes gazed down to my neck, and his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he rested his eyes on my necklace...his necklacethat I’d initially taken off.

It was probably too sudden for me to put it back on, but just for the night, I thought it would make him happy.

“You look… absolutely beautiful, Tesoro,” he whispered, and I slowly brought my arms around his neck as I pulled him into a hug. Although this technically was crossing the line I put up, I thought to make an exception, given that I hadn’t seen him all day. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I felt content as he pulled me in closer, letting out a deep sigh as if he was finally able to breathe.

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