Levi’s face goes soft. “I think I was always meant to be a cat dad.”
“Aww.”
“Besides, Anna Leigh might do me bodily harm if she drops by to check on the triplets and they aren’t here anymore.”
“Don’t tell me you’re scared of a nine-year-old girl who has a tutu-wearing pig for a pet.”
Levi shudders comically. “Terrified.”
“Don’t worry, big guy.” I laugh and pat his coarse cheek. “I’ll keep you safe.”
“Thank you.”
I look around the garage, stalling. I rack my brain, trying to think of any other excuse to prolong this good-bye, but there’s nothing left. The time’s finally here, and all I can wish for is a few more minutes.
“Are you sure you won’t let me follow you back to Little Creek? Just to be safe?” Levi asks. He looks like a dog who’s been commanded to sit and stay.
“You’ve got Cletus running again, right? No reason to worry that he’s going to give up the ghost on the way back?”
Reluctantly, he shakes his head. “I’ve given him a thorough going-over, and he’s got a clean bill of health now.” He strokes his chin. “Although I can always disconnect the battery terminals if it means you’ll stay longer.”
“Thank you, Dr. Redding.” I wink. “And as much as I’d like to take up your offer of sabotage, I probably should get back to my responsibilities in Little Creek.”
“Can’t blame me for trying.”
“But to answer your original question, following me isn’t necessary. You’re busy, and I’ve already monopolized enough of your time since being here.”
“Hayley—”
I hold up a hand. The way he growled my name, I know he was about to contradict me.
“It’s true, and we both know it.” I walk over to him and slide my arms around his waist. “I’m not saying either one of us would change anything or that we regret the time we’ve had together, but I also know you probably have a lot of work to catch up on.”
He bends down until his forehead rests on mine. “I’d rather make sure you get home safely. Everything else can wait.”
I look up so our eyes meet, so close I can make out every gold fleck like sunbursts in his irises. “I promise to call as soon as I park Cletus at the library, not a second later. If you don’t hear from me in an appropriate amount of time, then you have my permission to mount Sir Galahad and gallop to my rescue.”
He sighs, capitulating. “When can I see you again?”
“Not tired of me yet?” I grin.
“Never.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“I’m serious.” Any sense of humor fades from his face. “I want to take you out on a real date.”
Apprehension prickles along the backs of my arms. Not from the idea of dating Levi. I mean, I’m still wrestling with everything that a real relationship means, but the thought of spending time with him only brings me joy. It’s the worddatethat is causing alarm bells to ring in the back of my mind.
“And where would we go?” I ask with as little hesitation as possible.
He thinks a moment. “Pop culture has taught me that dinner and a movie are the standard destinations when two people go out with the intent of romance. We could do that.”
I try to hold back a grimace. This is what I was afraid of.
“What?” He blinks down at me. “Why’d you make that face?”
My eyes are squeezed shut, so I open one slightly to peek at him. “It’s just...” I open both eyes and sigh. “The movies? Can you honestly see yourself enjoying going to a theater? Or a crowded restaurant for that matter?”
