Page 39 of How Sweet It Is

She buys a dozen cupcakes from Kiera and leaves. We finish the day selling out of several of Levi’s creations. I gather the leftovers to put in the refrigerator and take them in back as Kiera cleans the storefront. Levi’s got the kitchen clean when I walk in. I notice he’s been keeping it cleaner, which makes me wonder if he’s just more aware of my gluten allergy.

“What are you doing this weekend?” he asks as he wipes the counter down.

“I’m watching Skyler for Kiki tonight.”

Levi’s countenance changes, and he shifts his weight. “Oh.”

“Why? Is that not a good idea?”

He shakes his head. “It’s fine.”

Levi has no poker face. I can tell something is bothering him, and I want to know what. “What’s wrong?” I press.

He takes in a breath. “I just know how Skyler is sometimes.”

“What does that mean?”

“I mean, she’s a handful. Do you want me to help you?”

“I don’t need help.” I say it confidently, even though I’ve never watched a little girl before. I have one older sister, and she’s been the bane of my existence. Growing up, I helped a lot at my parents’ flower shop instead of babysitting like other twelve-year-old girls.

“I’m not trying to say you need help.” He seems frustrated. “What if I just come over and hang out with you? Then if Skyler has any issues, I can be there.”

I don’t know why this irritates me, but it does. I want to dig in and tell him I’m fine on my own, but there is a small part of me that thinks his help might be good. “All right, fine.”

He smiles. “Great. I’ll come to your apartment.”

I pack up my laptop and leave. Thirty minutes later, I hear Levi’s motorcycle outside, and my pulse jumps. I remind myself that he’s not coming over for me. He’s coming over because he doesn’t think I can babysit his niece.

He knocks on my door, and I let him in. He takes in my small living room area, decorated with several thrift store items Rafe hung around the room. Levi stares at the faded wall hanging that looks bohemian to me. He nods. “Nice. Where’d you get this?”

I can’t tell him this is just a temp place until I go back home, and these thrift store pieces mean nothing to me. So, I tell him what I made up in my head the first night I had to stay in this apartment. I was practicing my fake background in case anyone came over.

“I picked that up in a market in Marrakesh. It was hanging in the back of this spice vendor’s tent. He swore it was handwoven by his grandmother.”

“Really?” Levi peers closer at it. “It’s got a Made in China sticker.”

Embarrassment heats my cheeks, and I do the only thing I can. “Well.” I fold my arms. “That vendor is going to hear about this next time I’m in Marrakesh.”

Levi shakes his head and laughs, a warm and rich sound. “You’re so full of?—”

My doorbell rings, cutting him off. I push past him to open the door. “Hello, Skyler. Come on in.”

Kiki brings her in. She still looks as frazzled as earlier. Skyler’s wearing a pair of pink-and-white-polka-dotted leggings and a white T-shirt. Her hair is in pigtails.

“Thank you so much for watching her.” Kiki’s gaze lands on Levi. “Oh, I didn’t know you’d be here.”

He puts his arms behind his back. “Yep. Just hanging out with the girls tonight.”

He winks at Skyler, and she giggles and runs to him. “Uncle Levi. Let’s make cupcakes!”

He laughs. “I’ve been in the kitchen all day. Let’s order DoorDash for dinner, and we can see what they have for dessert.”

“Oh boy!” Skyler says.

I turn to Kiki. “Do I need to know anything about her routine?”

Kiki shakes her head. “No. She’s pretty easy to take care of. I’ll come get her around nine, if that’s not too late.”

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