Page 100 of Burning for You
Leah says, “I wish I could teach Caro how to cook.”
“She’s no good in the kitchen?” I flick a wink at Carolyn.
“Mom!” she says, throwing a rueful smile across at Leah. “Levi’s breakfast is a real, hearty country breakfast. You won’t get it anywhere else, I swear. He even makes his own tomato sauce.”
“No kidding!” Leah says. “Can I have the recipe?”
I chuckle. “Of course, Mrs. Meyer.”
“Leah.”
“Of course, Leah.”
We then have cakes and ice cream, followed by tea and coffee.
Albert says, “I’m gonna have a smoke. Do you smoke, Levi?”
The beating of my heart makes me unable to think. “Um, no.”
Albert smiles, revealing a couple of cigars in his palm. “Would you care to come with me anyway?”
His tone tells me he’s about to reveal what has been behind his steely face. “Of course,” I respond.
“I’ll have that cigar,” Carolyn says, looping her arm around mine.
“It’s okay,” I whisper to her.
I know she promised she wouldn’t let Albert eat me alive, but I don’t need babysitting.
When Carolyn doesn’t let me go, I say, “Why don’t you chat with your mom?”
“Okay,” she relents, rubbing my shoulder and then turning to Leah.
Albert Meyer snatches his jacket from a coat rack, and then makes his way out to a balcony.
“I can see her attraction to you,” Albert says heavily while putting the cigars in his pocket. “I like you, and I seldom get it wrong when it comes to boys.”
“But you don’t think I’m good enough for Carolyn?” Feeling like Albert’s shoes are stomping on my stomach, I simply can’t play a social game at the moment.
Albert stays neutral, apparently not bothered by my rushed statement. “Carolyn is a different person when she’s with you. The person I dreamed she would be. But who are you, really?”
“I am who I am.”
“The Meyers are a respectable family. I want what’s best for my daughter. She has gone through a lot of trauma and painful—even, as you know, embarrassing—affairs.”
“I understand. She’s shared everything with me. I’m not going to shy away from difficult situations.”
“I can see that. She hasn’t been the smartest when it comes to men. And I don’t want her to make the same mistake again.”
“I might not have a lot of money…”
“Money isn’t the issue, Levi. I know you’re in between jobs at the moment. But again, that doesn’t really matter.”
I pause, waiting for him to say more.
“When I first saw you at Sass, I was shocked. I must admit, I never guessed Caro would date someone like you. But I felt good about you. I didn’t get the same vibe I had when I met Josh. I wish I had interfered with her relationship then, but hey, who was I to meddle with my daughter’s love life?”
“I love Carolyn. I will never hurt her, or betray her.”