Leveled: A Novella (Saints of Denver #0.5)(95)

I was not going to admit I was nervous. No way, no how.

The second time, I tried to tell Lev that I needed to pee. He told me I didn’t. I yelled that I did.

So he smiled at me.

The *.

The third time, I told him that I thought we’d gotten the dates mixed up and should go home to check. By that point, Lev was straight-up ignoring my hysterics and whistling along to the radio, while Lidiya watched her dad closely before putting her lips together as if she was going to whistle, but making a horrifying shrieking noise through the tiny hole her mouth was making.

I didn’t want to laugh. Why was she making me laugh? It should have been illegal to be that cute. Really.

My face felt hot and I breathed deep through the knot in my stomach. I dressed nicely, wanting to impress, but not too much. So I wore black jeans and a white blouse with my white blazer over the top. I slipped on my black ballet flats, applied a little makeup, and then tied my hair up into a high ponytail.

And now? Now I was sure I was going to blow chunks all over the Camaro’s upholstery.

We got there a little after two p.m., and while Lev got Lidi out of the car, I waited inside, gathering my thoughts. After a minute to myself, Lev opened the passenger door, looking gorgeous in his jeans, tee, and dress jacket, holding an adorable Lidi in her pretty pink dress and white cardigan, her curls a chaotic mess at the top of her head.

With these two by my side, I was ready as I’d ever be.

I took Lev’s offered hand and stepped out of the car. He locked it, put his arm around me, and lead me to the modest-looking house. Then suddenly, the knot in my stomach faded to a pinch. A second later, it was gone completely. Another moment, and I wasn’t afraid anymore. I had once loved these people dearly. There was no reason to be afraid.

We approached the front door together, and Lev’s arm tightened around my shoulders. I stepped forward to press the doorbell.

A loud chiming sounded, and not ten seconds later, the door opened.

The woman who stood there looked different, but under all the lines on her face and salt-and-pepper streaked hair, I found Maggie Peterson.

Her brows drew low and she placed a trembling hand to her mouth in stunned disbelief. “Mina, is that you, honey?”

At my smile, a gasp escaped her and she didn’t ask permission. She wrapped her arms around me and drew me in for a tight, warm hug, her body quaking the entire time. I lifted my arms to hug her back and listened to her shaky whispers of, “Oh, Mina,” and “My little girl.”

I swallowed through the thickness in my throat and squeezed her tight. When she pulled back, her eyes were wet, but she was smiling. “Where are my manners?” She motioned to us all. “Please, come in. John and James are out back.”

I swiped away the stray tear I didn’t know had fallen and followed her inside, with Lev and Lidi trailing behind me. As we walked down the hall, I saw pictures of new family members of all races and backgrounds. I smiled and asked, “More sons and daughters?”

She smiled weakly and shrugged. “We only do temporary fostering now. No more than six months at a time.”

She didn’t say much about that, but I had a feeling that was my fault.

Maggie held my hand as we entered the backyard. “John. James. Look who’s here.”

A much pudgier-looking John than I remembered stood from his place at the table. He smiled wide and didn’t waste time; he came forward and wrapped me up in a bear hug. “Oh, Mina, Mina. What am I going to do with you?”

We separated and I smiled kindly. “You look good, John.”

He chuckled and patted his belly. “Yeah, sure do. I’m surprised you haven’t asked when I’m due.” He laughed good-naturedly.

But the man who stood by his chair, looking at me as though I’d betrayed him in the worst possible way, caught my attention. “James,” I breathed.

He was still handsome as ever in that All-American way. His sandy brown hair cut neatly, his blue eyes clear, he looked harder than I remembered. There were no smiles spared for me that afternoon. He uttered offhandedly, “Mina. Nice to see you.”

The way he said this indicated that his statement was a lie. A big, fat one.

“Yeah.” My voice was small. I absently rubbed at my forearm. “You too. Where are the twins?”

John rolled his eyes but he did it smiling. “At a friends house. Teenagers.” There was a thick moment of silence before John cleared his throat. “Well, are you going to introduce us to this fine-looking fella, or are we going to have to guess?” He smiled wider. “Because if I had to guess, I’d give him the name Thor.”

My smile returned full force. John hadn’t changed a bit.

I stepped back, allowing Lev to place his arm around me. I looked up into his warm cognac eyes and announced. “This is my…my…” My smile softened. “This is my Lev.” His arm tightened around me. He bent down to kiss my forehead. I leaned into him and added, “And the little princess on Lev’s hip is his daughter, Lidiya.”

Maggie came forward, took one look at Lidiya, and beamed. “Hello, princess. Would you like a dolly to play with?” She looked up at Lev and explained, “I’ve got tons of toys if she wants to play with something.”

Lev stared at Maggie a long moment before placing Lidiya on the ground. My heart pumped hard before it slowed in relief as Lidi took Maggie’s hand and blinked up at her. “I pay a dolly?”