Jilly wasn’t sure what shifted inside of her but it felt like all of the things she had carefully balanced toppled over and crashed right into her gut.
“What do you mean hetookher for the day?”
Beckett’s brows lifted. “She wanted to spend the day with himat the lodge. He was excited to bring her with him. Gray was already there. I didn’t think it would be a big deal.”
“Where my kid goes is a big deal to me. Levi is not her father,” Jillian said sharply, an acidy taste filling her mouth. She didn’t even recognize her own voice.
“What the hell is going on with you, Jill?”
The tears were going to fall without her permission. She couldn’t stop them and she couldn’t explain them, so instead of answering him, she walked away. She was in charge of her life. And Ollie’s. Jillian was done sitting on the sidelines just hoping that everything worked out okay. That wasn’t how life worked. Fairy tales weren’t real. She knew how to take care of herself and her daughter. No one else got to make decisions for them. Not Andrew. Not Beckett. Not even Levi.
Thirty-three
Levi paid close attention as Ollie showed him how to navigate the list-generating app specifically designed to make meal planning and online shopping easier.
Sitting at the countertop on a stool, holding a bowl of sliced apples drizzled with a cinnamon glaze he’d whipped up, she grinned at him, a large gap in her smile.
“See? Easy. Chef Shane likes to write everything down but this is easier. I showed my gramma and she loves it.”
Levi squeezed her shoulder, surprised by the easy surge of affection he felt for this kid. “You’re really smart, Ollie. This is going to make my life easier. Thank you.”
Before Ollie could respond, Jilly pushed through the dining room door. Speaking of surges, it was like his entire body short-circuited. Fuck. He was so in love with her.
“Mom,” Ollie said, hurrying off the stool with a slice of apple. “Try this. Levi made the drizzle overtop. It’s so yummy.”
When Jillian didn’t take it, Ollie took a huge bite. Jilly’s smile was tight and nowhere near the wattage she naturally gave her kid. Something was up.
“Hey,” he said, walking over to greet her.
Her gaze was shiny and remote. “Ollie, it’s time to go. Say goodbye.”
“Are we going to the museum?” She hurried over and wrapped her little arms around Levi as much as she could.
Levi returned the mini-hug but couldn’t take his attention from the strange way Jillian watched them both.
“See you later, Levi.” She hurried through the swinging door.
Levi closed the gap between him and Jillian, pulling her close. “Are you okay?”
He leaned in to kiss her but she turned her face, so he brushed her cheek. Alarm bells went off inside of him, sending a buzz of uncertainty over his skin.
Jilly stepped back.
“What’s going on, honey? You’re worrying me.”
“My parents are selling their house,” she said, her tone flat.
“Shit. I’m sorry.”
“I went to see Andrew.” Her tone was every bit as empty.
“What?” He froze. Even his breath went cold.
“My ex.”
What the fuck was going on? “I know who he is, Jillian.” The better explanation would be why she went to see him and hadn’t said anything.
His tone seemed to snap her out of her strange state. “He wanted to get back together. He’s been bugging me for weeks to see Ollie and I went to see him today to tell him it’s not going to happen.”
