Page 65 of Levi Bailey has Butterflies

“That was one lover going to see another lover. We aren’t lovers.” She stands with hands on her hips, on that oversized nightdress hiding all of her curves.

I swallow—but it’s more like a gulp. My sister might be more than a little right about my feelings. Listening to Meredith declare that we are not lovers is a whole lot like being punched in the gut.

“Still, something to check off,” I say.

Her brows furrow. “I’m not checking something off to see the checkmark, Levi. This isn’t a Shakespeare experience.”

“We could go to a play—”

“Levi, what are you doing here?”

I brush my dusty hands together and step closer to the window. “You weren’t answering my texts.”

“My phone is turned off.” She blinks like she can’t quite look at me any longer than a few seconds.

Did I screw everything up in one conversation? “I just wanted to apologize. None of that came out right. I don’t think you’re immature. I don’t think you aren’t good enough for Owen. Honestly, I just don’t like the idea. And that’s my problem. Not yours. So—”

She groans. “Levi, I don’t like your brother. I don’t even know your brother. You were just so adamant and rude and—” she huffs. “It’s fine. You’re forgiven.” Her eyes lock with mine. “Thank you for apologizing.”

I nod. “Thanks, Mer. Thanks for forgiving me.”

“Now, I should go back—” she throws a thumb over her shoulder, but I’m not sure what she should get back to. Whatever it is, I don’t want to let her finish. I don’t want her to go.

“Coco’s in labor.”

One of her palms flattens to the glass and her nose is just an inch away. “She is? You didn’t lead with that?”

“I wanted you to forgive me because you wanted to, not because my sister’s having her baby.”

She rolls her eyes like I am an idiot. And maybe I am. Mom said as much. And besides that, I feel like an idiot.

“Uncle Bob!” she yells. “I’m going out.”

I can practically hear Bob telling her that she’s twenty-three and she doesn’t need to get approval from him.

“I’ll be right out!” She drops her curtain, leaving her window half open. There’s a crack down the center of her green draperies and I see a sliver of Meredith as she pulls a pink dress from her closet.

I look away, not meaning to invade. Not meaning to feel the stirring in my gut that her voice, eyes, and curves create. Not meaning to be completely hypnotized by her thoughts and her utter joy for life.

But I am.

I may not mean to feel these things, but I do.

26

Meredith

Islip into my Keds and hurry outside.

“Nice dress,” Levi says, his tone reminding me of a robot.

I latch onto the end of my denim jacket and peer down at my polka-dotted day dress. It’s nothing special. I’ve worn half a dozen similar to it in front of him. “Uh. Thanks.”

I forget for a second that I have a small crush on my friend. Okay, I don’t forget, but I shove that fact aside. There are more important things happening.

“How’s Coco? Are we headed to the hospital?”

Levi shakes his head, but he’s smiling like he just can’t help himself. “No. I’m in charge of Alice. But it’s sweet that you want to go.”

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