AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Open.
My emotions are all over the place, my body wound tight. Bringing up the messages, I click on his name.
AngelEyes: Best. Date. Ever.
Three words that speak of nothing but the truth. Smiling, I ignore the other messages and log out.
I practically float from my office and into my bedroom, removing my outfit and tossing it into my hamper. After a quick trip to the bathroom to remove my makeup and brush my teeth, I slide beneath my covers, the never-ending smile still firmly on my face.
Tonight, I went out on a date.
Tonight, I had the most wonderful time.
With Levi.
My best friend.
* * *
“Pick it up more, wussy!” AJ hollers, holding up the other side of the kitchen table.
“I am! Stop yelling at me,” I grunt as I try to steer the table through the back door.
We’ve been moving all of Payton’s belongings from her little house over to Dean’s place. What doesn’t go there is heading to our childhood home where our dad is going to store it until we have a sale. But I’ll be honest with you, the way I see Lexi eyeing some of the furniture, I wouldn’t be surprised if she isn’t making mental notes of what might be available should the need arise.
And after yesterday’s conversation, I’d say the need might arise rather quickly.
That thought just depresses me. Chris is an all right guy, but he’s definitely changed over the years. He was always very driven to be a success, but in the last three years, I’d say his relationship with my sister has deteriorated tremendously, which breaks my heart.
I want her to be happy and if that was with Chris, then so be it. But it’s not. At least not anymore, and that tears me up inside. For now, I’ll just be there and support her, knowing that when the time is right, she’ll make the hard decisions she’s meant to make.
“Quit daydreaming about Levi with his shirt off and help me maneuver this thing out the door.” AJ glares at me from across the table, twisting and turning it so that it fits through the doorway without dents and dings.
Her words register. I practically drop my end of the table, turning my neck, almost painfully, to see what she’s talking about.
And there he is.
Levi and Ryan are both shirtless and using an appliance cart to move the refrigerator from the kitchen. The man looks absolutely scrumptious in loose fitting jeans that hang dangerously low on his hips and work boots, the fitted gray tee that he was wearing earlier is hanging out of his back pocket. I literally, just stop and stare. Gawk, is actually a more accurate term.
His muscles flex in his back as he helps maneuver the large appliance through the doorway. What pulls my attention is the large phoenix tattoo across his back that moves with each stretch of his muscles.
“Really?” AJ mumbles behind me, pulling my attention back to her.
“What?”
“You act like you’ve never seen him naked,” she says with a smile.
“I haven’t!” I defend. And that’s the truth. We’ve seen each other in swimsuits and sleepwear. Yes, I know he has a large tattoo on his back and one on his chest, not to mention several on his arms. Yes, his body is lean and hard and has more ripples of muscles than most men. Yes, I’ve fantasized about what he would look like without the pants, but I’ve never actually seen him naked.
“You’re such a liar. I saw the way he wanted to gobble you up like Thanksgiving dinner earlier,” AJ quips with a smirk.
“She’s right,” Levi whispers against my ear, causing me to jump. The heat of his flesh sears my entire body and he isn’t even touching me.
“Of course I’m right,” AJ retorts before setting her end of the table down on the porch. Dean is there, wearing his shirt, I might add, and grabs her end.
“Allow me to help,” Levi says, bending over and kissing my exposed shoulder. He takes the table from my hands, allowing me to step aside and out of the way. Effortlessly, he moves the table until it’s out the door. Before he’s out of sight, he throws me a smile and a wink.
“Seriously, I can’t believe you two haven’t hooked up before now,” AJ says, stepping up beside me.
