Page 7 of Let Me Hold You

He checked the dashboard clock. It said 5:34 a.m., which meant it was 6:34 a.m. He should get the clock fixed soon, but not today. Right now, he was busy trying to get a date with Forsythia.

Forsythia was only two years younger than he was, compared to Maggie’s four. Forsythia always carried herself like a lady, even in the kitchen at church. He had heard her belting out orders on Wednesday nights during the church supper in the fellowship hall. Even her loud voice sounded sweet to Levi.

“Am I in love?” Levi asked aloud.

He knew exactly where Forsythia would be this morning, and he had decided to go to the kitchen to volunteer. After all, there was nothing much else he could do since he had done his duty as the warehouse manager.

The system that Tally Moss, née Fitzpatrick, had set in place for years had worked, and Levi saw no reason to fix it.

First, back in October, everyone who lived in a tiny home at the Midtown Village would log in online into the request database. They would browse the warehouse catalog to see what decorations they wanted for their front porch and interior.

One week ago, Levi had distributed all the requested decorations in labeled boxes. Then he flew to Savannah for Thanksgiving with his cousin, Cyrus, his wife, Amy, and their three kids.

By the time he returned to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving, he’d had nothing to do but help set up the twenty-foot Christmas tree in the Village square.

Today, he had cleared his schedule to go help as close to the kitchen as possible so that he could be in view of Forsythia. Perhaps if she saw him enough, she’d agreed to go out with him—even though she’d already turned him down twice.

Today, his secret weapon was Maggie, whom he’d recruited as his matchmaker.

“Maggie, you’re the best,” he remembered telling her. She must have been super moved, because she’d had tears in her eyes.

Levi had no idea his words meant so much to Maggie. He made a note to himself to compliment her more.

He locked his pickup truck and carried his brown bag to the nearest trash can. He waved to a few people hanging more lights on their tiny porches.

Most of the tiny-home residents had set up shops on their front porches where they’d sell arts and crafts, or canned fruits and vegetables. He spotted jars of peaches and remembered Aunt Marie. When she had been alive, she’d enjoyed peaches and couldn’t get enough of them.

Maybe a jar of peaches could be his Christmas present for Maggie as well. She liked peaches too, although she didn’t like the syrup. Too sweet for her. She’d never had a sweet tooth. No wonder she was in good shape even without exercising daily or going to the gym at all.

As Levi walked closer to the community center, he saw active church member Alden Benson chatting with Maggie at the front door.

Alden was smiling from ear to ear. Tall and beta male—with flawless skin—he made Levi want to throw up.

Stay away from Maggie, you!

The words lodged in his throat, as it had always been. Oh, if only Levi were braver and more competitive. He’d sprint up there and walk into the building with Maggie.

But he didn’t.

He stood there, watching the interaction from far away.

Maggie was smiling shyly.

What? Why was she shy? Maggie had never been shy around Levi. Why would she be shy around Alden?

“I better go protect her from whatever Alden has in mind.” He quickened his steps, but it was too late.

Alden entered the building right behind Maggie—too close, as though they had arrived together—and the glass door closed behind them.

All of Levi wanted to chase after them and stand in between Maggie and Alden, but his phone rang. He almost ignored it until he saw that it was his cousin Cyrus.

He had to take the call.

Cyrus had been waiting for a reply about the Christmastown job prospect for Levi. Granted, Cyrus’s warehouse director in Savannah would still need to interview Levi.

“I’ve promoted Rasheed to regional director. Right now he’s planning his schedule for January. He will be in Atlanta scouting for a new warehouse location for our metro Atlanta branch. He said he can interview you at that time.”

“Thank you for thinking of me. I’m still praying about it.” Levi walked away from the community center to get some privacy on the lawn. He tried not to mention “job offer” sothat no one at the Village would misunderstand the phone conversation.

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