Oh my God. This man is so incredible.
He lets go of my hand and pulls out a chair. “Sit, Kelcie.”
As I take the seat, I watch him leave the kitchen, only to return with a warm jacket.
He drapes it over my shoulders and orders, “Put it on.”
Having him take care of me makes the first tendrils of love curl around my heart while my stomach does happy cartwheels.
“The chicken soup is store bought, but hopefully it will help settle your stomach,” Levi says while he takes a seat across from me.
I wait for him to meet my gaze before I reply, “Thank you. You have no idea how much all of this means to me.”
His features soften, and the corner of his mouth lifts in a sexy smirk. “That’s what friends are for.”
Friends.
The word puts a damper on the happiness I’m feeling, and I hide my reaction by scooping some soup up and swallowing it.
Being friends with him is better than nothing.
Chapter 11
Levi
When we’re done eating, I lean back in the chair and stare at Kelcie. Her face has more color, and it sets me at ease.
Tonight was brutal for her, and all I want to do is hold her. It doesn’t help that I love seeing her in my jacket, which she’s drowning in.
“Want to move to the couch? We can watch a movie,” I say.
She nods, and we get up to clear the table.
God, she fits so perfectly into my space.
When I shut the dishwasher after loading it, Kelcie clears her throat and asks, “What are your plans for Thanksgiving?”
“The same as every other day.”
She seems to hesitate before she asks, “Want to spend it with me? I can make us a turkey that will probably feed us for a week.”
“You’re not going to your brother’s?”
She shakes her head, and with a nervous expression, she replies, “I’d rather spend the day with you.” Her tongue darts out to wet her lips. “And with Lick, of course.”
I know the attraction is mutual, and it makes it all the more difficult to keep my distance.
You can’t get romantically involved with her.
Yeah, like only being her friend will hurt less.
When I don’t reply quickly enough, she mumbles, “Or not. Don’t feel pressured to say yes.”
The words rush way too fast from me. “I want to celebrate Thanksgiving with you.”
Relief eases the tension on her face. “Oh, good. Then it’s settled.”
Things still feel a little tense between us as we go to the living room, and I wait for Kelcie to pick a couch before I sit down beside her.