Page 112 of Sunset Catchers

“Aren’t we so lucky to have you here with us today?”

Her words land on me like butter on a warm loaf of bread.

Oh, I get it now. How Levi is so good at it. His mother is the original clam shucker. He gets it all from her. My spirit mollifies, gifting my face a timid smile.

“Come meet everyone.”

Sophia brings me along with her. She introduces me to Levi’s dad first, Greyson—father and son share the same arch of brows. Next is Levi’s older brother Henry, surrounded by his wife and kids. Levi hugs his brother tightly. He told me that he moved to Ottawa, and they don’t get to see each other as often as they’d like. I watch Levi kneel down to his niece and nephew, who wrap their still pudgy arms around his neck.

“Winnie, I’m glad to see you,” Kit says to me.

“Thank you for having me.”

“So you and my grandson?”

“Turns out he really is a gentleman,” I tell her, squirming.

“I knew you’d get along,” she adds with a self-satisfied smile. Kit winks at me before inviting everyone to come eat. Once Levi and I are sitting around the long table, his foot finds mine under the table.

Bump. Bump. You okay, pretty girl?

Bump. Bump. I’m okay.

He pecks a kiss on my temple, then, with his mouth to my ear, he says: “You know it’s true what she said. We’re lucky you’re here. I’m so fucking lucky.”

“No Levi, I’m the lucky one. Truly.”

Sitting here, at his side, at a table filled with people he loves. I might be the luckiest girl alive.

When we’re back at our cottages and there’s a new day added to my album of favorite memories ever, Levi turns off the ignition and angles his head toward me.

“Did you have fun?”

“Yes. Your family is really great,” I say with a wistful lilt to my tone.

“What’s on your mind?” Levi smooths a hand over my head, all the way to the tip of my ponytail.

“Your mother calls you her sunshine boy.”

“Yes. Has done so since I was born, basically. She said I always had an easy time smiling.”

“She’s right. You do. You’re like the sun, and you’re so wonderfully dazzling.” A saddened mist moistens my vision. I hate that I still fall short, here. “I’m a cloud. I don’t want to get in the way of your sun. I’d hate myself if I did.”

He searched my face for long seconds. An easy smile spans on his face.

“Oh, Win. I thought you knew. I thought you understood.”

“What?”

“That I love the rain.”

His thumb catches one of my stray tears.

“You’ll get tired of having to reassure me all the time,” I say against his lips. He kisses the corner of my mouth.

“I won’t. I’ll just keep telling you how much you’re worth it until it gets through your thick skull.”

My heart lurches. I lean my forehead against his.