Page 65 of Thorns and Ashes
I gaze down at Ellie with pride. “Good girl.”
Her tail wags, and she places her head under my hand for scratches. When I look back at Levi, his gaze is fixed on me. A shiver runs up my spine as I try to appear unaffected.
“I’ll see you two later,” I tell Ellie. “I still can’t believe you told her.” I shake my head, turning to walk away.
“No one should be alone on their birthday,” he says, mirroring my words from only a few weeks ago. My stomach flutters, and a lump forms in my throat. When I turn back to him, his expression turns almost tender, and he smiles. “Not even you.”
I clear my throat and look down. “Thank you.”
No one has ever gone out of their way to make sure that I feel special except for myself, but that’s what he’s done. Using my own words against me,of course. Not only did he listen and remember, but he also understood. Somehow, he understands what I’m too proud to say. That I want someone to care, someone to show up for me in a way that no one ever has before. I may have been raised with all the riches money can buy, but money can’t replace connection. Money can’t share with you the little moments that eventually make up a lifetime. He may think that all he’s done is make sure I’m not alone for my birthday by telling Rory and Ainsley. That the gift is us celebrating together, but what he doesn’t realize is that he’s already given me the greatest gift of all.
He showed up.
Now, everything that Rory and Ainsley have said starts to hold more weight. It’s possible I was wrong. Crazy to fathom, but even a broken clock is right twice a day. I lift my gaze to find pools of jade-green already looking back at me. I need to know if I’m crazy and this is all in my head, or if there is really something here between us.
“Levi,” I start, but my voice catches in my throat.
A look of apprehension flashes across his face, giving me pause. Before I can say anything further, an elderly woman calls out for me.
“Miss? Miss?” The customer waves me over.
Sensing that the moment is gone, I give Levi a short nod and walk away.
What would I have even said? What if I’m wrong? What if I come off as the most insensitive bitch to assume that a man still grieving could ever care about someone like me? Every rational and irrational thought floods my mind as I take each step toward this customer’s table. I’m torn between being relieved by the distraction and sick to my stomach about the numerous unknowns.
“Yes, Ma’am. How can I help you?” I ask, smiling but hardly present.
“I didn’t know you served dog biscuits here.”
She looks down at her two tiny dogs and back at me, hopeful.
“Uhh.” I glance over at Ainsley, who just shrugs, not at all helpful. “We don’t, technically. It’s something I only do for my—” I pause, catching myself before I can saymy dog. “They’re organic and vegan. I can get you some.”
After collecting a few biscuits in a doggy bag from the back, I head to her table and see Levi is already gone. My heart sinks in my chest, but I hardly understand why. Nothing’s happened, nothing’s changed, but I’m questioning everything.
“Here you go.” I offer another forced smile. “I gave you ten, five for each of them.”
“How much do I owe you?”
I blink at the elderly woman, unsure what to say. I hadn’t even considered selling these since they’re not technically from the cafe but from out of my own pocket.
She must sense my confusion because she grabs my hand and smiles. “Here you go, dear.”
She slides a fifty-dollar bill into my hand, grabs her dogs, and leaves. My stare ping pongs between her and the bill until she’s gone.
“Did Ms. Dot just hand you a fifty-dollar bill for them ballsack biscuits?” Ainsley’s surprised voice asks from behind me, causing me to jump.
I shake my head, mouth opening and shutting as I replay the last five minutes in fragments, unsure how it managed to feel like both a missed opportunity and completely bizarre all at the same time. I shove the fifty into my pocket and look at the bright side.
“I guess shots are on me tonight.” I grin, deciding I might as well focus on the good for now. Who knows, maybe another opportunity will come my way. Maybe I won’t spend the rest of today wondering if the look on Levi’s face that made me question my resolve was really there or all in my head. I stand up taller, brushing off my apron, then check my reflection in one of the vintage mirrors hanging on the wall between overflowing vines. Head held high, I go back to work like nothing’s happened. After all, if a life of shopping has taught me anything, it’s that what’s meant for me doesn’t sell out, it simply waits.
Chapter Fifteen
Levi
Years ago, before I asked Krystal out on our first date, there was a moment we shared together outside our firehouse. It was a normal day, and we were making small talk. I don’t remember the joke I made or what exactly I said, but she laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. Afterwards, she looked up at me. The sun was shining in her bright brown eyes, and I watched as her gaze lingered, settling on me with affection and a flicker of vulnerability. In them was hope and wonder. In them, I could see all the possibilities of what our future could hold if we took the next step. So I did. I leaned into the peace I found in her, the way she settled something inside me like I was never at rest until I found her. It all started with a look.
A look similar to the one that I saw on Tris’s face earlier today.
