"Debatable," Owen interjects. "You started a restaurant in a small town in the middle of nowhere."
"Blackwater Falls isn't the middle of nowhere."
"It's two hours from anything resembling a city."
"That's the point. It's home."
Something shifts in Owen's expression. "Yeah. It is."
The brothers share a look, some wordless communication passing between them, and I'm reminded that they both left this town and both came back. That home means something different when you choose it instead of being stuck with it.
"Tell them the news," Ivy says suddenly, nudging Owen.
"What news?" Levi asks.
Owen clears his throat, looking suddenly nervous. "So, uh, Ivy and I have been talking. And we've decided..." He reaches for Ivy's hand. "We're moving in together. Officially. She's moving into my place next month."
The table erupts in congratulations and cheers. Levi stands to hug his brother, clapping him on the back, and Ivy gets passed around for hugs from everyone.
"About damn time," Jenny says. "You two have been circling each other for what, fifteen years?"
"Something like that," Ivy admits, laughing.
"Don't wait fifteen years to propose," Granddad Jim advises Owen. "Life's too short."
Owen flushes red but he's smiling. "Working on it, Granddad."
As everyone settles back down, still buzzing with excitement, my mom leans over to me.
"They seem happy," she observes.
"They are. They wasted a lot of time being scared."
"Smart of you and Levi not to make the same mistake."
I look at her sharply. "What do you mean?"
She gives me that knowing mother look. "I mean you're clearly crazy about each other. Anyone with eyes can see it. And instead of dancing around it for years, you just... went for it." She squeezes my hand. "I'm proud of you for being brave, baby."
Brave. I never thought of it that way. If anything, being with Levi felt like the easiest decision I've ever made, despite the complications.
"He makes me happy," I say simply.
"I can see that. And you make him happy too. I've never seen someone look at another person the way he looks at you."
I glance over at Levi, who's deep in conversation with his grandfather about something food-related, his hands gesturing animatedly. As if sensing my gaze, he looks over and winks.
Yeah. I'm falling in love with him. Might have already fallen, honestly.
The thought should terrify me. It's only been a month, that's way too soon to be in love, but it doesn't. It feels right. Like everything about us has felt right from the start, once we stopped fighting it.
Dessert gets served. My galettes, which everyone raves about, making me blush with pride. Coffee and tea appear. The conversation flows into easier, quieter territory as everyone gets full and comfortable.
Eventually, people start to leave. Jenny and the servers head out first, thanking us profusely for the meal. Tommy and Marcus follow, both looking slightly overwhelmed by all the food they consumed. Owen and Ivy linger, helping us clear plates until Levi shoos them away.
"You're guests. Go home. We've got this."
"You sure?" Ivy asks.