“It will take work to get things back to how they used to be between us, but I’m willing to make an effort.”
Hunt blinked. He looked away and shoved his hand in his pocket. He didn’t say anything at first. “I loved her, you know.” He looked back. “Lisa.”
“That’s what Emily said.”
Hunt stared for a long moment, then nodded. “I’ll meet you on the tee at five forty-five. Maybe we can squeeze in a quick nine before it gets dark. Gotta help Emily with the kids’ program first.” He shifted slightly. “I shouldn’t have touched Emily. I was angry.”
“Touch her again, it will be the last time you use that hand.”
Hunt shook his head, a light smile on his face. “Noted. See you later.” He left with ease in his gait Levi hadn’t seen in a long time.
This had been the right thing to do. Mending fences. Or at least pouring the foundation for mended fences. They had a long way to go, but there was hope.
Emily walked in, staring down the hall at what Levi presumed was Hunt’s back. “Did I hear that right? You’re going to see Hunt later? He wasn’t scowling just now. You two must have apologized.”
“Not in so many words, but it was implied. I asked him to play golf with me this afternoon and he agreed.”
She set a stack of files—which she never seemed to be without—on his desk and walked around to join him by the window. He pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arm around her small waist. Her hands fell on his shoulders, running down his arms. “But how will he know you want to work on your relationship?”
Levi raised his eyebrow. “Because I invited him to a round of golf?”
“Is that some kind of guy code forI’m sorry?”
“Basically.”
Emily gave him an incredulous look.
He grinned and leaned down to kiss her neck, unbuttoning the top button of her too-high collared shirt to give him better access to the good stuff. “We have thirty minutes before my next appointment.” He peppered kisses along the flesh beneath her collarbone, just where she liked it.
Her hands were already snaking up his shirt, which she’d untucked from behind. “This is so bad. How will we keep our hands off each other if we work together every day?”
He leaned back, confused. “Why would we do that? This is the most ingenious plan I’ve ever had.”
“Youdidn’tplan this.”
“Minor detail. Getting back to my point.” He reached down and squeezed her bottom. “Give me two seconds.”
“Huh?”
She stared in confusion as he strode across the room toward the door. He popped his head into the hallway and looked both ways. And backed up a step. And another.
“Levi,” Esther said, following him inside and closing the door behind her. She glanced across the room. “And Emily. Good to see you, dear.” She grinned, then did a double take at Levi’s disheveled shirt. He quickly shoved the fabric in his pants. It was like being caught necking by his mother. Only his mother hadn’t lived long enough to catch him necking, so Esther it was. “Happy to see you two are getting along so well.”
Was that amusement in her tone? Ah well. A small price to pay to be with Emily.
“Looking good, Esther.” She was wearing a fancy tracksuit. Probably something designer. The woman knew how to retire in style. “You here to confirm our lunch date next week?”
“I’m here to give you something. Privately, if that’s all right?” She looked apologetically at Emily, who’d picked up her numerous files.
“No, no,” Emily said, and headed for the door. “I was just—” She glanced at Levi. Emily was a terrible liar. Levi grinned and she glared at him.“Leaving.”
“I’ll be home once the sun sets,” he called, outing them.
He hadn’t talked Emily into moving in with him yet, but he was wearing her down. She wanted to wait a year, and he was okay with that. Levi would wait forever for Emily. Especially since they took turns sleeping at each other’s places, though she seemed to stay at his place more often. They both loved the land and enjoyed taking Grace on walks.
“Levi!” She glanced nervously at Esther, who merely smiled. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag.”
Esther’s expression was unruffled. “Oh, yes, dear. That was evident the moment I introduced you two.”
