Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 73(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 73(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
I stand up from where I was fussing about with a box that got squished on the driver over, grinning at Levi’s dad. Obviously, I’ve known his parents for over a year, considering I met them first when I was dating Eddie—their other son. And yeah, it’s a little awkward now that I’m with Levi instead, but they’ve handled it really well.
They were always kind people, sweet and welcoming to me. After Levi explained everything to them and re-introduced me as his girl, they not only continued to welcome me with open arms, but they apologized for the way Eddie treated me.
Hell, they were here helping me move. Craig dusting off his hands after lugging up the last box, and Carissa, his wife, fussing over the glassware as she unpacks it in the kitchen, ensuring none of it is damaged or has a speck of dust on it.
“Was this chip always there, sweetie?” Levi’s mom calls out, and I stroll over to see her holding up an old mug I got in college.
I smile. “Yeah, but it’s sentimental to me so I couldn’t throw it out,” I explain with a laugh.
She grins widely, her green eyes sparkling like her son’s do. “Ah, I’ll pop it away with the others then.” She sets the mug down and turns to me fully. Behind us, in the lounge, I can hear Levi and his dad discussing something in low voices, but they’re too quiet for me to overhear the exact words. “Lacey, I hope you know that Craig and I are so glad to have you in the family.”
I nearly well up with tears because there’s so much kindness on her face and honesty in her words. She really means it when she says that. “I know it’s been a little…weird for you and Mr—Craig,” I catch myself, remembering to use her husband’s first name even as I stumble through my sentence. “Well, with everything that happened. I’m sure Edward saying some…not very nice things about me after it all, and I want you to know that nothing happened between Levi and me until months after Edward and I broke up—”
Levi has already explained everything, but it still weighs on my mind. His parents are important to him, and though he won’t say it, I know his brother is too. He hates what Edward did to me, but he’s also so disappointed. At the end of the day, that’s still his brother, and it sucks that he’s turned into a cruel man, no longer the sweet kid Levi grew up beside.
My heart hurts, not for me but for him. I no longer feel anything for Eddie, not even pain. I’m grateful for what he did, well perhaps not the lying and cheating part but definitely the breaking up and canceling the wedding part. Marrying him would have been a huge mistake.
Mrs. Anderson puts her hand on my arm gently, stopping my apologetic rambling. “We know,” she says with a motherly smile. “Eddie clearly needs time to figure himself out, and you never should’ve been caught up in that crossfire. He has shown his immaturity, and we have informed him that, pardon my language here dear, until he has his shit sorted out, he’s to stay away from his brother and you.”
God, I’m so grateful for Levi and the people who raised him it’s insane. “Thank you, Carissa,” I say, hoping she knows how much her acceptance and love means to me.
She tuts, a sly smirk forming on her face as she leans in close to whisper, “You can pay me back by giving me some grandchildren to spoil.”
I burst into laughter, grinning widely at her suggestion. Though deeper in my chest, I love the idea of that. Of Levi and me married, and kids running around our feet. I want it. And I’m not scared of it anymore.
“Come on, love. Let’s get these young’in’s get settled in,” Craig calls out to his wife. She spares me a wink as she and her husband say their goodbyes, wishing us well.
Levi closes the door behind them and turns to me. For a second, we just stand there, taking in the sight of all my things in his apartment. Our apartment now.
My lease ran out, and I had absolutely no desire to renew it. Plus, I never liked living alone. When I told Levi I was going to have to look at new apartments, he looked at me like I was crazy and told me that I was moving in with him. No questions asked.
It was so easy to agree. I wanted nothing more than to live with him, and his place was amazing. Big, spacious, and cozy. Plus, Levi told me I could decorate however I wanted since he’d done very little with the space. Typical man. I’m already planning what prints to buy for the entryway.