Page 17 of Finding Her Strength

My brows furrow. “Zoo?”

“Yeah, Sara is a vet tech and has a soft spot for strays. She has what feels like a million animals who each need a good home. I took her on a shopping spree at the pet store to make up for my idiocy.” Levi chuckles, shaking his head. “She came close to buying out the store but stopped just shy of it.”

“I’m glad she made you work for it. Forgetting a birthday is a pretty big deal.”

“I have definitely learned my lesson. Trust me.” Levi winks, and my stomach swirls at the sight. It should make me feel better knowing he potentially has someone else in his life. Someone he obviously adores. It would mean he’s not a threat to me or my carefully crafted life here. But instead, there’s a little niggle of disappointment in my gut. A small part of me wants this outgoing, beautiful guy to see the real me. See the woman I’m finally becoming and want more from me than friendship.

Our food arrives, interrupting our conversation. I’m grateful for the reprieve from both the intense look Levi was giving me and my ridiculous thoughts. Sometimes, I hate how analytical I can be. For a good chunk of my life, itwas necessary. I had to make sure I knew the potential outcomes of every step I made before I made them. Now, the constant barrage of analyzing thoughts can be overwhelming.

The delicious smell of my BLT wafts into my face, making my mouth water. I glance at Levi; a BLT and chicken noodle soup sit in front of him, as well.

“Copycat.”

Levi’s head whips up at my quip. A grin stretches across his face when he notices we’ve ordered the same thing. “I’m pretty sure I was here before you. Doesn’t that make you the copycat?”

“Nope.” I pick up my sandwich, dip it in the soup broth, and take a bite. Damn, so good.

Levi stares at me for a few seconds before shaking his head, a chuckle falling from his lips. “Sunrise or sunset?”

I swallow my bite before I answer. “Sunrise. It signals the beginning of a new day and a new opportunity to live the life you want.” I reply, a little thrown off by the randomness of his question.

“But sunsets are when the fun begins.”

“You can’t have fun in the morning?” I lift my brow in objection, causing Levi’s grin to widen.

“Touché. Salty or sweet?” he continues.

“Salty.”

“No way! You’d choose chips over ice cream?”

“Every day.” A laugh bursts from me at his look of indignation.

“Take out or dine in?”

“Depends on the situation. I don’t mind eating out alone.”

A look of teasing humor crosses Levi’s face as he raises an eyebrow. I play back my words, realizing the unintentional innuendo I said. I groan, pushing my hands into my face. Levi’s boisterous laugh has me giggling with him. Despite how heated my face is, I meet his smiling gaze.

“Your laugh brightens everything around you,” he says, and my smile dims at his observation.

“I’ve never had much to laugh about.”

“Why?”

“Life has very rarely been kind to me.” My eyes widen at my unexpected honesty. There’s something about Levi that makes me feel so incredibly comfortable. Almost safe.

“I’m sorry you’ve had that experience.”

“Dogs or cats?”

Levi pauses at my quick change of subject but nods his head in understanding. “Dogs.”

“We finally agree.” I grin. Levi’s phone starts ringing, interrupting our conversation. He answers as soon as he reads the caller ID, an apologetic look in his eyes.

“Hey, Mom.” He pauses, listening for a minute. It’s always a little weird to be on one side of a conversation, having no idea what the other person is saying.

“Sure, I can be there,” Levi says, then hangs up after saying goodbye.

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