Page 72 of Seeing You

When he arrived back at his father’s house unannounced less than a week later, his father finally called him out on it.

“You know, we saw a lot less of you when you actually lived at home,” he said with part amusement and part accusation. “I appreciate everything you’re doing, Marcus, but don’t you think it’s time you admit that you keep coming back because you miss Billie? Hell, there’s no shame in it! In the last month, we’ve done more work on this old place than I have in a dozen years, and most of it you didn’t need to be involved with, but you took it upon yourself. It means a lot to me that you’re here and the time we’re getting to reconnect is the greatest gift in the world, but we both know I’m not the real reason for all these trips back to Sweetbriar. Why don’t you just tell her you’re still in love with her?”

“Dad, we’ve been over this. It won’t work. She doesn’t want to move back to D.C. and I’m not looking to move back here. The work I do requires me to be in a big city environment. I love having every convenience close by. I love the culture and the social scene. I love my condo. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. It’s in the most desirable building in the city and it has an amazing view. No matter how many changes this town has gone through, you can’t change logistics.”

For a moment, neither said anything, but then his father nodded and launched into a story. “About two years ago, I went into Books & Beans for the first time. There was a young man sitting at a table in the corner with a laptop, an iPad, and his phone all set up in front of him. It was obvious he was working, but I couldn’t understand why he was working there. Every timeI went in to get some coffee or some baked goods, he was in that same spot working.”

He hated when his father took forever to get to a point, but…his curiosity was mildly piqued.

“One day I decided to go over and talk to him, and you could have knocked me over with a feather when I realized it was Levi Donovan.”

“Why would that shock you?”

“Because—like you—Levi had left small-town life behind in a big and vocal way and moved on to bigger and better things. He supposedly had this fabulous life up in Alexandria and avoided coming home to visit at all costs.”

Marcus didn’t remember ever hearing how Levi happened to come back to town, but he always remembered how much he talked about wanting to leave when he was younger.

“Basically, he got a little too big for his britches and got fired from the big advertising company he worked for and couldn’t find a job no matter how hard he tried. Eventually, he had no choice but to move back home. Billie was the one who took him in. Little by little, he began working for a few people here in town, and now he’s got a very successful advertising agency of his own and works with the town on all their marketing campaigns. He was in charge of everything when Summit Ridge reopened. He’s very talented.”

“O-kay…I’m not sure what this has to do with me.”

“He was just like you. All he wanted were the fancy things his lifestyle afforded him when he lived in Alexandria. Then he lost it all. Now look at him. He’s married, has a family,andhas a successful career. That could be you.”

“I get what you’re saying, Dad, but it’s not the same. Granted, I don’t exactly know what Levi’s life was like, but I’m pretty sure it’s nothing like what I’ve built for myself.”

“So what you’re saying is you love material things and prestige more than Billie,” his father said flatly.

For a moment, all he could do was blink. “When you say it like that, it makes me sound like a complete jerk.”

“If the shoe fits…”

“Hey! We said we weren’t going to do that snarky thing with each other anymore!”

“You’re right, you’re right,” John said wearily. “I can’t help being disappointed, though. I see how much you light up when you talk about her and how you race out of here every evening so you can see her. What happens when you go back home, Marcus? What’s waiting for you that brings you even a fraction of that kind of joy?”

“Dad…” Raking a hand through his hair, he sighed. “You don’t get it.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, son. Idoget it. The only difference is, I can’t get the love of my life back—not for a weekend, a night, or even an hour. There isn’t a damn thing I can possibly do that will ever bring your mother back to me. You have the opportunity to have the woman you love with you right here, right now, and you’re pissing it away for the sake of acondo. Think about that.”

As soon as his father was out of the room, it was all Marcus could think about.

Glancing at his watch he saw it was a little after two. Billie would be getting off work soon and she didn’t know he was in town, but…she wasn’t the Donovan he needed to see right now.

“I’ll see you later, Dad!” he called out as he scooped up his phone and keys and walked out the door. A quick Google search told him where Levi’s office was and—just like everything in this town—it was only a short drive.

The brick building had been in the heart of downtown for as long as Marcus could remember, but now it actually had officesand businesses in it. The windows were new, the trim was freshly painted, and he was mildly impressed at how nicely it was maintained. Levi’s office was up on the third floor and when he got up there, he realized Levi’s office was the entire third floor and the elevator opened right up in the massive loft space.

“Marcus!” Levi called out when he spotted him. “This is a surprise!” Walking over, they shook hands. “I didn’t realize you were in town. What’s up?”

Glancing around, he appreciated the rustic charm of the older building. “This is a nice setup you have here. I remember this place being empty for?—”

“Ever, right?” Levi laughed softly. “When the building was being renovated, I knew this was the space I wanted. I love the brick walls, the hardwood floors, the floor to ceiling windows…I thought about putting up walls, but it seemed a shame to do that. Most of the time it’s just me up here, but I recently hired a small staff and we’re making it work.” He motioned to the back corner where he had a seating area. “What can I do for you?”

It wasn’t until they were seated that Marcus realized he wasn’t exactly sure what to say. Levi must have sensed it because he just sat there quietly and waited.

“Okay,” Marcus finally began. “You and I both left this town similarly. We wanted out and we weren’t looking back.”

“Agreed.”

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