“Tess.”
“Huh?” I said too loudly.
Levi smirked. “I said you seem distracted, too.”
“Oh.” My chest flushed with heat. Busted. “I guess so.”
“Mommy, go to bed,” Luke ordered. “Me and Wevi are making breakfast for you.”
“Yeah, you should go to bed and think about what’s distracting you so much.” My mouth popped open. He’d never been so outright flirty with me before. It was a side of him he’d kept perfectly hidden behind kind smiles and sweet words until two days ago. I didn’t know how to react to it, so I just stood up, my legs a little weak.
“You two are so…so…bossy,” I stammered.
Levi chuckled. “I’m just taking orders from this one,” he said, tilting his head at Luke.
“Go, Mommy!” Luke demanded, growing impatient. “You’re gonna mess it up.”
“Okay, okay,” I laughed, backing away with my hands up in surrender. “I’m going.”
Not even five minutes later, Luke came running into the bedroom with a cup of orange juice in his hands and a smile so wide I thought his face would split. “Be careful,” Levi’s voice came down the hall right at the same time orange juice sloshed over the rim, splashing onto the floor. Luke went stock still, staring at me wide-eyed while standing over the mess. Levi rounded the corner, holding a tray in his hands. He stopped short when he saw the mess on the floor.
Luke backed away when he came into the room. “I’m sorry, Wevi! I didn’t mean to,” he rushed out, his chin quivering.
I was halfway out of bed to clean it when Levi shot me a look, shaking his head. My hands wrung the comforter, watching with bated breath as he squatted in front of my crying son. He set the tray down gently. “It’s okay, buddy. You aren’t in trouble,” he said softly, ruffling his hair. “Accidents happen. Want to help me clean it up?” He grabbed a napkin off the tray, and they started wiping it up together.
When they were done, Levi tapped his knuckle under Luke’s chin. “See? All gone like it never happened. No big deal.”
“Yeah,” Luke whispered, glancing between us like he couldn’t believe it was that easy. That there wasn’t an explosion over his mistake because that’s all he’d ever known before we left Corpus Christi.
“Go take Mommy her juice,” Levi said, his voice soft. “But walk slowly so you don’t spill again.”
Luke looked at me like he didn’t know which way was up as he came over to me. I cleared my throat, forcing a smile to ease him. “Is this for me?” I asked dramatically to make him smile. It worked, and he nodded. I took a big sip and fought a cringe. “Soooo yummy.” It tasted like what I imagined battery acid would taste like, since I had just brushed my teeth.
“And this,” Levi said, coming next to us and setting the tray over my lap. There was a small stack of purple chocolate chip pancakes and bacon on the plate, along with a small vase holding a few red tulips.
“We made the pancakes your favorite cowor!” Luke giggled.
“I see that. I love it so much.” My smile was real now. I’d never gotten breakfast in bed before. “Where did you get the pretty flowers?” I asked Luke, brushing back his curls as he cuddled in next to me.
“Those are from me, actually,” Levi said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
My heart did a few skips in my chest. “Thank you,” I said softly. “They’re beautiful.” I’d never been given flowers either. Levi was ticking off a lot of firsts for me this week, it seemed.
He gave me one of his sweet smiles that I adored, climbing into bed next to me. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.” I adored that, too.
We put onBlueyfor Luke, his favorite show, while we all picked off the tray. After a few episodes, I realized I had nestledinto Levi’s side, using his arm as my pillow. I sat up quickly. “Sorry,” I whispered, blushing.
I didn’t know when it even happened. It was as if we had naturally migrated to one another. I felt so dumb. We hadn’t even talked about us yet, and here I was cuddling with him like we were a real couple. He probably thought I was ridiculous or clingy or something worse.
His hand tensed on my waist, stopping me. “No,” he said. “I want you here.” He reached out, brushing my hair off my shoulder. The gentle touch heated my skin, and knowing he liked cuddling with me warmed my heart.
Levi’s eyes softened, his gaze roaming all over me like I was precious to him. The TV show faded to the background until all I could focus on was him and the way he was looking at me. There was an apprehension in his eyes, like there was something more he wanted to say. Something important. Big.
He cleared his throat. “Tess, I…”
“You what?” I rasped, wondering if he could hear how fast my heart was beating.
He took my hand in his, running his thumb over my wedding ring. He swallowed. “I…” But then the tenderness in his eyes vanished like the flip of a switch. “I should clean up,” he said abruptly and got up, ruining the moment. He grabbed the tray, leaving the flowers on my nightstand, and left without another word.
