Page 93 of The Love Ambush
“Yeah,” Sophie says. “I guess it’s romantic or whatever, but it seems like a lot of money to spend for a basically lame party.”
I laugh as I turn onto Main Street. The gallery is all lit up and looks like it’s open. I make a split decision and pull into the first available spot on the street.
“What are you doing?” Sophie asks.
“There’s something I want to see. Want to come with me?”
Emily sighs. “Only if you promise it’s not boring. I’m so bored I could fall asleep right here.”
I chuckle at her dramatics. “I promise it’s not boring. Come on.”
The girls follow me out onto the sidewalk and to the gallery.
“An art gallery?” Sophie asks. “Do you need to buy a painting before we leave?”
“Ugh,” Emily says. “This will definitely be boring. I want to go back to the car.”
“Just give me five minutes,” I say. “If you’re still bored, you can go.”
“I can tell you right now. I’m going to be bored.”
“Just humor him,” Sophie says. “We still need him on our side.”
“What does it matter if Dad’s moving in with us?” Emily asks. “He might be worse than Gentry.” She’s complaining, but she’s smiling while she says it, clearly happy about her dad coming home.
I get the buzz of a bad feeling under my skin, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Why would a man who’s shown no interest in his kids until now give up the life he’s built in another place to move back in with them?
I shake it off. I don’t know enough of his story to judge him, but my gut is rarely wrong.
“Please,” Sophie says. “He’s got his child bride to pay attention to, and he’s going to need to find a job and everything. I guarantee Gentry’s going to be all over us all the time, just like always, unless we get her and Levi together. They didn’t even dance at the wedding.”
“Oh, yeah,” Emily says. “Why didn’t you dance with Gentry?”
I rub a hand over the back of my neck, choosing my words carefully. “Gentry’s not very happy with me right now. I might have known your brother was in touch with your dad, and I didn’t tell Gentry.”
“So?” Emily says. “That’s a stupid thing to be mad about. It was a nice surprise for her.”
But Sophie narrows her eyes at me, clearly not impressed. “Why didn’t you tell her?”
“Because I’m an idiot?”
“Just like all men,” she says with a huff. “You better fix it, Levi.”
“Got any ideas how I can do that?” I ask,
Sophie shrugs. “I’m not so sure you’re the right guy for her anymore. I guess you have to prove yourself to both of us.”
I sigh. “That’s fair.”
“I’m still on your side,” Emily says. “I’ll help you.”
“Thank y—”
“Nope,” Sophie says, shoving open the gallery door. “No Lendew is helping Levi. He has to earn his place in this family.”
Despite her harsh tone, I can’t help smiling as I follow her and Emily into the gallery. I like the sound of earning my place in their family.
Emily looks at me over her shoulder and mouths, “I’ll help.”
