Page 13 of Levi

“I see...”

“I don’t think you do, but we can talk about it later when we know each other better.” He gazed at her intently.

“Okay.” She nodded in understanding.

Levi drove them to the diner in town where they sat in a booth and ordered their usual meals. Kinley apologized if her comment brought up any bad memories.

“Don’t worry about it,” Levi reassured her.

She nervously nibbled on her lip, unsure of how to make things better. She was simply admiring his manners.

“Levi—”

“It’s fine, Kinley. I have some unpleasant things in my past, but I’ll tell you more once we figure out where this is going.”

“Okay. To be fair, my life story isn’t very eventful. I got married, then divorced. The end.” She tried to lighten the mood with a smile.

He chuckled. “I highly doubt that’s all there was to it, but I’ll be patient.”

As they waited for their orders, they chatted about the upcoming holidays.

“So, are you spending Thanksgiving with Addison and Cody?” Kinley asked.

“They invited me over for dinner. You?”

“Same.” She laughed.

“You don’t have any family to visit?”

“My... family isn’t much of one. I can barely remember the last time I spoke to my mother and who knows where my father is.” She shrugged.

“I know exactly where mine is. Right where he deserves to be,” he muttered.

“Where is that?” Kinley pressed, leaning closer to the table.

Levi shook his head. “I keep telling you, once we see if this thing between us is going anywhere.”

Kinley sat back and folded her arms, determined to get an answer. “You can’t just say that your father is where he belongs and leave it at that.”

Levi leaned back in his seat and stared at her. “Well, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m not ready to discuss him, or anything about my past with you yet.”

“Fine,” Kinley huffed, causing Levi to laugh. “What’s so funny?”

“You. Women in general. It’s never fine when a woman says it is.”

“Whatever.” she playfully rolled her eyes as he chuckled again.

“Why don’t Cody and Addison spend the holidays with Vivian and Grayson?” Levi asked, mentioning Cody’s sister and her husband.

“Because they go to Gray’s parents’ house with the rest of his brothers.”

“I see. So, have you finished all your Christmas shopping?”

“Yes, I only buy for Addison, Celine, and the other two women at the pharmacy.” She tilted her head. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll have to get something for you.”

“I don’t want anything.”

“Why do men always say that? It’s not about wanting something, it’s about someone wanting to do something nice for them.” She shrugged.

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