Levi spotted Mia down on the dock, sitting on the bench. He made his way down the sloped lawn, his mouth going as dry as Lone Creek Falls in August. He thought she might come inside once Wesley left, but she obviously needed time to think. He hoped that wasn’t a bad sign.
The wooden dock shimmied as he made his way down it. She must’ve felt the movement, but she didn’t turn.
“Can I join you?” he asked once he reached her.
She smiled warmly at him. “Of course.”
He lowered himself into the seat, keeping a respectful distance. He wanted to take her hand. But did he even have the right to touch her anymore? He hadn’t known how strong his feelings were until Wesley showed up in their lobby. Now he thought he might burst for fear of losing her. How had this happened so quickly? He wasn’t impulsive like Molly. He wasn’t a romantic. He sure didn’t believe in love at first sight.
Yet even though he’d known Mia fewer than three weeks, he couldn’t deny what he was feeling. His pulse throbbed at the realization.
He was in love with the woman.
It didn’t matter that he’d only known her a matter of days. It didn’t matter that she lived clear across the country. It didn’t even matter that she was a famous celebrity.
All that mattered was that his heart was full of this undeniable, inescapable feeling he’d never before experienced. And he didn’t know what to do about it.
“So . . .” Mia cut a look at him. “I guess you know that was Wesley.”
“I’m aware.” He stared at her profile, his gaze all but burning a laser into her skin. Tell me he doesn’t matter to you. Tell me you don’t have feelings for him. Tell me it’s me you want.
“He was working in Asheville and decided to come see me. He wanted to clear up a few things about our breakup.”
“Okay . . .”
She gave him a long, unreadable look. “I feel a little silly. It turns out I was wrong about him using me. I guess he really did have feelings for me.”
Levi gritted his teeth. He guessed Wesley wasn’t finished with his games. “He wants you back. He’s trying to charm you back into his arms.”
“What? No, Levi. That’s not it.”
“Don’t be naïve, Mia. I mean, it’s fine if you don’t want to continue with this, you and me. But don’t buy into this guy’s lies.”
Mia’s eyes warmed as they roved over his face. “Is it fine if I don’t want to continue with this?”
His heart squeezed hard. That was a lie, and unlike Wesley, he wasn’t going to play games with Mia. Even if he wound up humiliated by his admission.
Levi’s shoulders sank, even as his eyes held hers. “No. It’s not fine at all. Not with me. But if that’s what you want . . .”
What? He’d understand? He’d be okay? He’d support her decision? None of that was true either. He sighed.
She skimmed her fingers along his cheek, her touch leaving a trail of fire. All she had to do was touch him, and his whole body hummed. He feared he’d never find that with someone else.
“It’s not what I want,” she said. “Wes didn’t come here to resume our relationship. And even if he did . . . I’m not interested in him. I’m interested in you, Levi. Only you.”
Relief filled all the spaces around his heart. Her admission made him feel like he could levitate right off the bench. Words scrambled in his brain and clogged in his throat.
Her eyes lighted mischievously as she brushed his cheek. “Now’s when you tell me you’re interested too.”
His laugh escaped on a breath. He took her hand and set a gentle kiss on her fingers. “Interested doesn’t begin to cover it.” He didn’t want to scare her off with I love you, even though his head was screaming with the words. It was too soon for that. But it wasn’t too soon for the kiss he placed on her lips.
A few lingering moments later Mia pulled away, a hand pressed lightly to his chest. “I think I might have a little growing to do. I seem to have a little problem opening up. I may be a little guarded. A little reluctant to let someone else in.”
“Why do you think that is? The business you’re in? Your mom? Your dad?”
“Maybe all of the above. Mostly my dad’s leaving, I think. Even now, with you, it’s so scary. My heart’s beating so hard just admitting this to you.”
“We all have issues and problems, Mia.” He held her hand tightly against his chest. “And you don’t have to be worried about anything you tell me. You can trust me with your thoughts and feelings. I’ll try my best to be a safe place to fall.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m afraid I’m going to push you away like I did Wes.”
“If I feel that happening, I’ll tell you. We’ll talk about it. This is a process, a journey. Neither of us is perfect, Mia.”
“You’re so good to me, Levi. So patient.”
“You deserve all that and more,” he said. Then he lifted her chin and set a soft kiss to her lips.