“Why are you calling me?” Leaning against the front desk, she slowed her breathing.
“That’s not a very nice way to say hello.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “I don’t want to say hello or anything else to you. Why are you calling?”
“I’d like to see you.”
Why? Why now? After all of this time, after letting her go and letting them down, why would he reach out now?
“No.”
“I’d like to see Olivia.”
Nothing strengthened her resolve like protecting her daughter. “That’s unfortunate because the answer to that is no as well.”
“I have business in Michigan. I’d like to see you and my daughter. It would be easier if you wouldn’t fight me on this.”
That was the story of their marriage. How could she make it easier on him? But she wasn’t in love with Andrew anymore, she wasn’t blinded by the vows they’d taken. She was five years wiser and stronger than she’d been when her marriage ended.
“Funny thing,” she said, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt. “I’m not interested in making anything easier on you. I don’t want to see you. And neither does Ollie.”
She hung up, her hands shaky. Taking a minute, she forced herself to take a deep breath in through her nose, hold it, and let it out.
Then she did what any grown adult woman would; she texted her best friend. Then she texted Presley. They’d be here this afternoon and Jill could talk to them about Andrew. About Levi. About what the hell she was doing and how, even at thirty, she still felt like a mixed-up teenager.
Fifteen
Levi looked around the lodge dining room, and even though his dad didn’t show, his heart was full. Cooking for anyone soothed his soul. Cooking for people he loved was a next-level high. His gaze landed on Jilly, standing over by her parents near the end of the long table. They were chatting with Gramps, who was good friends with Mr. Keller and had ended up tagging along. Jill’s brothers and Presley chatted animatedly with Jill’s best friend, Lainey, whom he remembered from when they were younger. He’d definitely seen her early last week at the reunion.
Jill seemed a little off when he and Ollie had found her weeding the garden in front of the house. Ollie really was an impressive helper and a hard worker. Levi had told her mom as much but there was a stormy look in her gaze, and before he could get her alone to ask if she was okay, everyone had shown up.
It’d been nonstop since. The most charming of all, Ollie bounced on her knees on a chair beside his mom, telling her a story that had her laughing. His heart actually flipped over in his chest like a pancake. He decided to ignore the fact that his dad didn’t show. His mother said he wasn’t feeling up to the boat ride, but Levi knew it was more than that.
It didn’t matter. Levi was right where he belonged. This was the start of it. Something big. Something he’d wanted for longer than he’d let himself acknowledge. Picking up a fork, he tapped it on a glass, getting everyone’s attention.
“Thanks for letting me cook for you guys tonight. And for the use of the kitchen,” Levi said, a hint of nerves sliding over his skin, making their presence known. Several of the items he’d prepared were things he was considering for his food truck. Their opinion mattered.
He looked at his mom, nodded, hoping she understood how much it meant that she’d come tonight. Of course, the Kellers were hard to say no to, and Jilly’s mom had taken care of corralling at least one of his parents into a yes.
“I’m excited to be home. I’ve been away for a long time but I think, in the back of my mind, I always knew I’d return.”
Everyone clapped, making his neck hot. His gaze naturally found Jillian, who watched him, a little smile ghosting her perfectly shaped lips.
Time to share the news. “Tonight is a chance for me to try out a few menu items for the food truck I’m planning to run. I wanted to cook for all of you and have a happy-to-be-back celebration, but I also wanted your opinions on some menu items that I’m considering.”
His mom put a hand on her chest. “A food truck?”
Levi found it difficult to swallow around the sudden dryness in his throat. He held her gaze, bracing himself.
“That’s a very fun idea. Everyone is going to love your food, honey. Even if it comes out of a truck,” his mom said.
People chuckled, and Levi bit back his groan. He was pretty sure he could make Kraft macaroni and cheese with little hot dogs and his mom would praise him like a gourmet chef.
Presley caught Levi’s gaze. “It’s an excellent idea and a sound business. You can literally drive to more populated areas if it’s a slow day. Or you could rent a space on Tourist Lane, put some picnic tables out front.”
Beckett nodded, putting his arm around Presley’s shoulder.
He could do this. He would do this. Just like going away to school—he could succeed without his dad’s full approval. Or presence.