Page 96 of Ill Will

“Was it good?” Levi asked.

“The traffic?”

“No, the book. You seemed so focused on it. I was almost jealous that I was driving.”

“You could have put on an audiobook.”

“And when it got to a smut scene?”

“Then I would either die of embarrassment or listen too. It just depends on the kind of smut you were listening to.”

A ghost of a smile crossed his face. “You sound better.”

“Reading always helps,” I replied. “And this was a good book.”

“Can I borrow it after you?”

“Technically, you paid for it.”

“It’s yours. I’m not gonna take it without permission.”

“But what about the saying what’s mine is yours?”

“Maybe I want to be respectful. Books are special.”

“That’s a point in your favor,” I said. “Books of mine are fine to read. As long as you don’t damage them.”

“What was it about?”

I glanced over at him. V leaving me on read was still on my mind, but I still didn’t talk about books with other people. It felt like a betrayal.

But Levi lookedsocurious.

“It’s about a woman who goes on a road trip with the wrong guy,” I said. “It’s hilarious, actually.”

“Reading about a road trip on a road trip, huh?”

“This is a little more in-depth. They’re going across the country.”

“We could have. Or we still could. Say the word and I’ll take you anywhere.”

I was happy with where we went, but even if I wasn’t, I didn’t like to take long trips. I could never guarantee I would be able to enjoy them like others could, and I didn’t want Levi, or anyone for that matter, to see me when I was at my worst. Being far away from home and getting a migraine would be terrible, and there would be no way to pretend to be normal.

“It’s okay. I like the mountains close to home. And besides, I can tell the authors did the journey themselves. It’s so detailed.”

“And the romance?”

“The characters are being idiots, but I love that.”

“Tell me more. I love it when they’re dumb.”

I did, going into detail about where they started out in their relationship and where they were at the seventy percent mark. Levi listened intently. If I had any doubts that he was a romance reader, they were gone now.

We pulled up to the house around midday. While being away from home was fun, I was more than glad to be where I knew.

When we got out, Levi waved at someone. “One of your neighbors is out.”

He wasn’t looking at the side of my house where Lily and Sebastian lived. Slowly, I turned and saw Mr. Buford was outside, watching us closely.

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