Page 12 of Levi

“Okay, have fun.”

“I’ll try. Bye.” Kinley hung up and poured a cup of coffee for Levi. “Levi? Your coffee is ready.”

He entered the kitchen and she wanted to continue where they left off, but didn’t want to seem too eager. They had only met once before and had barely spoken since.

Taking the cup, he sipped it. “That hits the spot. It’s freezing outside today.”

“But it was still fun. I think I’ll make it a tradition every year.”

“Maybe you should consider getting an SUV or truck.” Levi grinned.

“I love my Mini though.”

“Who says you can’t have both? You almostneed four-wheel drive around here in the winter.”

“That’s true. I never really thought about it because as much as I love snow, I hate driving in it.”

“Most people do. I’m more concerned about other drivers than myself.” He turned to go back to the living room. “Come on, Kinley, that tree won’t decorate itself.”

“Right.” She followed him to the living room and they began decorating the tree together.

As Levi worked on the top, she placed decorations around the room. When she looked over her shoulder at him, he had his back turned. Not that she minded. He certainly filled out those Wranglers.

When he turned around and caught her looking, he raised an eyebrow. She shook her head and quickly turned away, but she could hear him chuckle. Men. Why did she like them so much?

After finishing the tree, Kinley’s stomach growled.

“Do you want to order a pizza? They deliver,” she suggested, hoping he would agree.

“Sure.”

“What toppings do you like?”

“Pepperoni, sausage, onion, mushrooms, and black olives.”

“No peppers?” She laughed when he shuddered. “Fine, I’ll get half with peppers.”

“Or we could go to the diner,” he offered.

Kinley smiled. “I’d love that. A burger sounds really good right now.”

“We can have pizza next time.”

A smile spread across her face as she thoughtabout the possibility of a next time. Levi helped Kinley put on her coat and she pulled her mittens from the pockets. She thanked him for his chivalrous behavior, commenting that not many men do that nowadays. He nodded in response, but remained silent as they walked outside. He took her key from her and locked the door before giving it back to her. As he led her to the passenger side of his truck, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had said something wrong. When they were both inside the truck and he was pulling out of the driveway, she finally spoke up.

“Did I say something to upset you?”

Levi stopped the truck and turned to look at her before letting out a sigh.

“No.”

“Are you sure? You went quiet when I mentioned how well-mannered you are.”

“That’s because I had a rough childhood.”

“How rough?”

“Very.”

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