Page 110 of Owen Bailey Needs Advice

“I thought you were all for this?”

“I am,” she says, sitting up straighter.

“But has Annie said those words? Love?”

I furrow my brows, feeling stress swirl in my head. “No. But I never expected her to—not yet anyway. We’ve only been at this a month. She’ll get there.”

“It’s just—” She clamps down on her bottomlip and pushes up her black-rimmed glasses with the back of her hand. “She’s still writing about your dates as if they were an experiment.”

“They are. Err, they were.” I dip my head, lose her eye contact, and go back to packing. “That’s just her job.”

“Right.” Coco nods and stands, walking over to me. “I’m sorry. I’m just a big sister—and I worry.”

I pinch her chin between my fingers and wobble her head in a dashboard bobblehead shake. “Well, stop it.”

“You’re right. I’m sure you’re right.” But she doesn’t sound sure. I love my sister, but I don’t need her clouding my judgment, not when it comes to Annie. This is what I’ve always wanted. This is right. Every single fiber of my being tells me so.

But then, Coco didn’t say it wasn’t right. She asked if I knew how Annie felt. It’s a valid point, and maybe it’s time to ask her.

As much as I love that Annie and Levi are getting along—and I do love it—and as much as I appreciate Levi and Meredith inviting us on this trip, I wish that we could have taken our own vehicle. If we had six hours alone, we’d have a whole lot of time to discuss things likefeelings.

Levi would put me in a headlock just for thinking those words… it’s a good thing my oldest brother can’t read minds. The thing is, I don’t care if my thought isn’t the typical masculine ideal. Annie and I need to talk. Coco made me realize that I’m assuming a whole lot of things. I’m reading what I want to read through our physical contact and fun outings. But the fact remains, Annie hasn’t stated how she feels.

I’m thinking, not listening to my brother as he explains this little town to Meredith. I hear bits and pieces—lights, shops, something about magic—when Annie’s soft touch commands my attention. Her slender fingers slip into mine, tangling our limbs. I study our hands, my blocky fingers entwined withAnnie’s slim ones. Her nails are painted a shiny black that stands out against her fair skin. I gaze over her green jacket and up to her face, her plump pink lips, her freckled cheeks, and her eyes as rich as freshly ground coffee. Her auburn brows pull together.

“Okay?” she mouths to me.

My cosmic, thoughtful state hasn’t gone over her head. She sees me every bit as much as I see her.

Which only gives me confidence.

I give her a slight nod. Annie brushes back a strand of her straight red hair, her eyes never leaving mine.

Her fingers squeeze our knotted hands and I lean the short distance separating us to place one chaste kiss on her lips. A blush warms her cheeks, and those pretty lips turn up at the edges, rewarding me with a grin.

“Whoa. Owen. Dude, not in my truck. I don’t need to see that.”

I choke out a laugh. “Sorry, Levi. It will most likely happen again.”

Levi groans with my joke. But Annie laughs, angelic and sweet. Yep—most definitely going to happen again. At least he can’t say I didn’t warn him.

54

Annie

Levi pulls up in front of a charming two-story brick home. It’s older and lined with Christmas lights. I can only imagine how they’ll twinkle tonight. The sign out front reads—The New Forest Bed.

“Aw, we didn’t want to assume anything…”

I look from Owen to Levi, not following.

He clears his throat. I never noticed until this moment what a Nervous Nelly Levi can be. “We got two rooms. One for Annie and Meredith, one for me and Owen.” His nose wrinkles with the mention of Owen’s name, as if bunking with his brother is as fun as a sliver beneath his skin. I’m guessing that isn’t how Levi had planned to spend the weekend—but he’s being accommodating—for us.

I appreciate that ol’ grump even more. All these years I’ve gone on loathing the man. And really he was a giant teddy bear all along. Who knew?

“That’s perfect,” I say, and Meredith gives me a grin. She doesn’t seem to mind rooming with me one bit.

“We’ll settle in,” Levi says, nodding toward the Bed andBreakfast. “Then, we’ll explore the town a bit before the light show tonight.”

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