Page 101

We’re lying in Lev’s bed, awake and talking. Lev is on his back, and I’m currently lying on top of him, our arms spread out and our fingers linked. I’m pressed against him as close as I can possibly be and reveling in the warmth of our closeness and touch. My chest and stomach are tight against his, matching up as close as we can, given our slight height difference, and our legs alternate—his, mine, his, mine. I’m getting my fill of just being close to him.

It’s Thanksgiving morning, and it’s the first time in years that I’ve had something to look forward to about the holiday. Sure, I’m a little bit nervous going to Lev’s parents’ house and sitting around their table, making small talk. But I’m just happy to know I’ll be spending the day with him and the important people in his life.

Propping my chin on his chest, I raise my eyes to him. His eyebrows are arched up, and his hands leave mine, wrapping around my back and then rubbing up and down my spine.

“Yeah?” he says, searching my face. “Why? Where did that come from?”

I shrug and scoot my face down so my cheek is against his chest. “I don’t know. I just . . . My parents want to sell it, and I don’t want to leave. I figured if I could get a few contracts, and maybe the one that Julian is talking to me about, then I can afford the house. I have the money in savings that they gave me, and I could essentially just buy it from them.”

I can hear his heart beating and feel his chest move up and down as we lie here. He stays silent, so I continue.

“You know that I love it there, Lev. It’s my home, and the memories . . .” I trail off, having said all I needed to say. Then I shrug and change the topic, since I’ve obviously made him uncomfortable. “At the bonfire, you know Lindsey’s boyfriend was talking to me about plans for his business. I told him what I did, and he said he had a lot of ideas for work coming up and wanted to see my portfolio. I sent it to him the other day, and we’ve been casually talking since. If I could work something out with him, it would be huge for me.”

“Wait, you sent Julian your portfolio?” Lev’s lips press into the top of my head. “You’re serious, huh? Well, if that’s what you want and that’s what you can do, then do it!”

I sigh. “I don’t know, Julian was talking about it only being a contract—a 1099 for now—but he said that he has some major plans, and if the company grows, he could bring me on more permanently. That would be so cool. It would be nice to have some stability.” Steeling myself against whatever reaction he might have, I circle back. “And that would help if I were to buy the house. I . . . I just can’t bring myself to leave that all behind, you know? So much has happened there, and it’s got a lot of space . . . and the pool.”

Lev chuckles. “Oh yes. The pool.”

I laugh softly with him, nuzzling my face into his chest. “Another conversation for another time,” I say.

“You brought it up,” he teases, poking my side.

I shove off of him with a squeal and then stick out my lip in a pout because we aren’t lying together anymore. He stretches up and kisses my pouty lip, sucking it into his mouth and biting it. I exhale a little moan and give in, letting him kiss me again. Before we get too heated, he pulls away. I try to chase his kiss, but he’s up and out of the bed already. I groan and flop back down.

“Come on, lycan. Mom will be waiting.” He extends his hand to me and pulls me up.

We get dressed, Lev in a pair of lighter-wash jeans that I’m used to seeing and a white T-shirt with a brown-and-yellow flannel over top. The flannel unfortunately covers his two nearly full sleeves of ink—gothic designs and motorcycle parts running up and down his arms that I have discovered over the last few months—and I find myself wishing it was warmer so they were exposed instead. He’s so freakin’ fine.

When we get to the Richardsons’ house, there are already a few cars in the driveway, and my nerves hit me head-on. I clear my throat, and Lev looks at me, taking my hand over the console of the car.

“You okay?” he asks, squeezing my hand.

I nod. “I was, but now I’m kind of nervous.”

He reaches out to touch my face and rubs my cheek with his knuckles. “You’ll be fine. I promise,” he says softly. “I love you, so they’ll love you.”

He freezes, his bright-blue eyes wide. I can’t help the smile that creeps onto my lips, but Lev doesn’t give me a chance to respond. His hand is off of my face, and he’s out of the car in no time.

He just . . . Did he . . . Yep, he did. I smirk as I get out of the passenger side and straighten my leather jacket. He just told me he loves me.

I feel like I’m floating when Lev grabs my hand. He’s tense, but he walks us to the door. I give his hand a squeeze and smile at him. Knocking once, he pushes the door open, and we’re met with the most aromatic scents of turkey, spices, and pie. The house has a warmth that envelopes both of us as we move farther into the entryway. I push the door shut behind me as Lev yells out, “Hellllloooooooo!”

We hear a clinking in the kitchen, and then Mrs. Richardson comes out of the room ahead of us, wiping her hands on a flowy apron.

“Hello, boys!” she exclaims, grabbing Lev and wrapping him in a hug.

“Hi, Mom,” he says, pulling away and reaching for me. “Mom, this is—”

His mom’s face lights up as she comes to me, arms open, and then she envelops me up in them when she gets to me.

“Darian Archer, welcome! It’s so good to see you. We’re so glad you could come!” She pulls off of me and runs her hand down my arm, looking me up and down. Then she turns to Lev. “My, my. What a handsome man he has grown into.” She swats his arm as his face starts to redden. It’s adorable.

Lindsey and Julian come down the stairs, and as soon as Lindsey sees Lev, she squeals and barrels into him, her arms wrapping around him. I shake hands with Julian and greet Lindsey, and then Lev’s mom tells us to get drinks and go join Mr. Richardson in the living room. Lindsey starts talking to me, leading me into the room as Lev and Julian head to the kitchen.

When we get to the living room, Lindsey stops with me. Lev’s dad and the guy from the motorcycle shop look up at us from where they were watching football on TV.

“Dad? Uncle John?” Lindsey motions to me. “This is Dare. Darian Archer. He’s here with Lev today.”