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“I mean it. You can go to Africa, and I will follow you, if you let me.”
I stared into his eyes, and I believed him. I believed he meant it with all his heart, and it broke my heart.
“What about Al? And the kids? And Birdtha! Who would take Birdtha?”
He seemed to flinch at the words, as if I slapped him. “A sanctuary, I’m sure.”
“Levi, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“Good thing you’re not asking. I’m telling you that if you want to be with me, we can make this happen.”
I reached up and stroked his cheek, feeling his warm skin against my palm. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I wasn’t sure if they were happy or sad tears or a combination of both. I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to Levi’s since I couldn’t find the words to tell him how I felt and hoped a kiss would be enough until I could find my voice again.
God, I love this man.
Chapter 24
Levi
Emily had taken the microphone from the DJ and turned down the music.
“Everyone, today is a special day for James and me, no doubt about that, but I’m not the only one celebrating today. My beloved little sister Anna has some news to share as well.”
I looked at Anna, who looked as white as a sheet.
“Anna, would you like to tell them, or should I?”
“I wasn’t planning on making the announcement like this,” Anna whispered to her sister.
“I thought we talked about it,” Emily said, trying to muffle the mic and failing.
“I said I would tell everyone after your wedding, but not like this.”
“I said I’d give you the floor–”
“I didn’t hear that,” Anna insisted.
Even though they tried to talk in hushed whispers, the mic meant their words could be heard by everyone. Anna looked out at the crowd and cleared her throat, taking the microphone from her sister.
“Sorry, I think there was a misunderstanding. I’m really not one for public speeches and all that.”
“Go on,” Emily said, urging her sister with a big smile.
“I really didn’t want to take the attention off my beautiful sister and her groom–”
“It’s okay!” Emily giggled. “Just tell them already.”
Anna took a deep breath and closed her eyes as if she was imparting some bad news on the guests that evening. “Well, it looks like next week, I’ll be going to Africa. For two weeks, at first. It’s for a job opportunity with an animal reserve out of Tanzania, a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl. If the trial goes well, I could be moving there for a few years… or longer.”
People clapped for her. Anna opened her eyes, but she wasn’t smiling or cheering with them. She handed the microphone back to Emily and left the spotlight, rushing to me with tears in her eyes.
“Anna, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know if I can do this, Levi,” she said.
Before I could ask her why she wasn’t happier about everything, her mother rushed to her side. “Anna! Why am I just finding out about this now?”
“I meant to tell you in a more private way. There was a misunderstanding with Emily. I’m sorry, Mom.”
