The Apple Tree (16 page)

“
I think this might be even better than barbeque chicken pizza.” Levi scooped a hunk of egg into his mouth.

“
I said you’d love that pizza.” She pointed her fork at him. “You have to learn to trust me.”

He chuckled. “Who says I don’t trust you?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why were you watching me?”

His face fell and he looked down into his plate. “I still can’t tell you.”

“
Exactly.”

Frowning, he pushed the eggs around on his plate.

They finished their food and he helped her clean the table, carrying dishes to the sink. While they were distracted, Owen poured milk all over his booster seat.

Levi laughed when he saw the mess. “Is this what kids are always like?”

“
This is nothing.” She rolled her eyes.

Bianca’s mother came downstairs dressed in short shorts and a tight tank top. She came to a halt when she saw Levi in the kitchen.

“
Mom, this is Levi. Levi, mom.” Bianca pointed to them as she said their names.

Levi stuck out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you Mrs.—”

“
Lisa. I’m not an old lady.” Her mother shook his hand. “My, you are a hunk of man, aren’t you?”

Bianca covered her face with her palm. “Mom, seriously?”

The voice of a rapper begging his baby for ice filled the room.
Everyone turned toward Bianca’s phone, ringing on the countertop next to Levi’s hand.

“
Nice ringtone,” he said, barely concealing his laughter. He lifted the phone to hand it to her, glancing briefly at the lit screen. His humor dissolved. Swallowing hard, he held the phone out to her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to look,” he mumbled.

She took the phone and read the screen. Peter. Her gaze shifted back up to Levi. Tension radiated from his body. Tapping the ignore button, she shoved the cell into her pocket.

“
Who was it?” Her mother asked. “Stephanie?”

“
It was nothing, mom.” She picked up a sponge from the sink.

Levi shifted his weight. “I should probably go. It was nice to meet you, Lisa.”

“
You too, honey,” her mother answered.

Bianca leaned against the sink, holding the wet sponge. “Thanks for… everything, Levi.”

Holding her gaze, he finally said, “Bye, Bianca,” and walked through the living room and out the front door, shutting it quietly behind him.

She turned back to the dishes. Peter had the worst timing. The sponge circled on the plate she held. Should she feel guilty for liking them both? No, she didn’t like Peter anymore after yesterday. Well, he was still really hot. But he was a jerk. Her head tilted to the side. Except when he acted nice. She shoved the plate into the dish rack. Why did guys have to be so confusing?

After finishing the dishes, she took Owen into the living and set him in front of his toy trains. She sat and played with him a few minutes before a knock came from the front door.

“
Did Levi forget something?” her mother asked.

“
I don’t know.” She pulled the door open.

Standing on the welcome mat, Peter leaned against the door frame, the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile, his bright blue eyes sparkling.

“
H
ope you don’t mind me just dropping by. I tried to call but you didn’t answer,” Peter said, his voice rich and deep like dark chocolate mousse.

Bianca’s heart jumped in her chest. What was he doing here? And why did he always have to look so good? It really wasn’t fair. “I don’t want to talk right now.”

His hand ran through the dark strands on top his head and he bit his lower lip. “Hey, I’m sorry about yesterday. You’re so beautiful, I just got overwhelmed.” He started to reach toward her, but pulled his hand back.

A twisting sensation filled her stomach. “You know, that sounds like such a line.”

He grimaced and broke eye contact, turning toward her new cold frame.

Her mother poked her head through the door. “Who is it?” Her eyes widened when she saw Peter and a smile spread across her face. “Well, hello.”

“
Mom, give us a minute.” Bianca pinched the bridge of her nose.

Her mother gave her a playful nudge and went back in the house.

Bianca stepped out to the patio, shutting the door behind her. She crossed her arms and glared at him. Was he really sorry? He had pulled away, but not until she practically screamed for him to stop. But, it’s not like he could have actually done anything right there on the crowded street.

“
I Googled your blog,” he said.

She dropped her arms. “What did you think?”

“
I don’t cook, but it all sounded delicious. You need better photos though.”

“
Yeah, well, we already established that I don’t have any photography skills.”

“
But I do.” He raised his eyebrow in a suggestive glance.

She studied his face. Could she trust him? Her blog needed better pictures, if it was to be successful. And then there was his charming smile and sapphire eyes that set her body on fire. She looked down at her hands, twisting her fingers.

“
I have my camera in the car.” He nodded toward the street where his silver Ferrari sat along the curb. “I’d love to try your blueberry muffins. You could make a batch and then I’ll take some photos.”

No, she couldn’t let him worm his way back in so fast. “Maybe, but not today. I need a little time to think. I’ll call you.” She stepped back toward the house.

“
I’ll wait,” he said. “I’m really not the jerk you think I am and I’m truly sorry about the market.”

She nodded, suddenly remembering what Levi had said. “I heard you were married?”

Peter sucked in a short breath, holding it. “Who told you that? Levi?” His face grew hard and his lips pursed in a straight line.

She bit the inside of her cheek. “Yes.”

He closed his eyes and his face relaxed. “I was. She… died. It was a long time ago.”

“
I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” She turned toward the door.

He placed a hand on her arm. “I loved her and I’ve been living my life trying to escape that, trying to numb myself. But ever since I met you, I feel like… like I can live again.” Waves of grief filled his deep blue eyes as they stared into hers, unblinking.

She broke his focus, looking down at the empty pots lined along the patio. He’d turned really intense, really fast.

“
I… I’ll call you.” She stepped back into the apartment and shut the door.

Leaning her back against the wood, she tried to process what Peter had said.

“
Who was he?” her mother asked from the futon.

“
He’s just… his name is Peter.” She rubbed her hand over her forehead.

Her mother stood and walked toward her. “Is everything okay? What happened?”

Bianca shook her head. “It’s fine. He was just being really... intense. It caught me off guard is all.”

Her mother studied her face, placing a hand on Bianca’s shoulder. “Intense how?”

“
I’m fine mom, really.”

“
Okay.” Her mother dropped her arm and then raised her eyebrows. “He was cute. I can’t believe you had two guys over here in one day. It’s not like you, but it definitely makes things interesting around here.” She winked. “Keep it up.”

Interesting was an understatement. Bianca trudged upstairs to her bedroom and pulled out her phone to call Stephanie.

The next week at work, Bianca concentrated on spreading the dark red sauce around a circle of dough when she heard a familiar male voice.

“
Bianca.”

She turned and found Levi leaning against the front counter, a carton of eggs in his hand and the light from the overhead lamps dancing in his gray eyes. Her breath caught. Would she ever get used to his rugged good looks?

“
I brought your eggs.” He smiled, holding the carton out.

She dropped the sauce brush and reached for a nearby towel to wipe her hands before coming to the counter.

“
Thank you, you’re so sweet.” She took the eggs. “I can’t wait to try them. Are your hens free range?”

He scoffed. “Of course. You think I keep them locked up all day? Although, I might have to start for a while. There’s a mountain lion that keeps coming around. He already got three of them.”

She crinkled her nose. “That sucks. Wait, he doesn’t come around when you’re out there does he?”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ve got my rifle. But I have to admit, I’m quite pleased that you care.”

“
Well, of course, I don’t want you die.” She opened the carton, admiring the rows of brown and white eggs.

“
Don’t worry, there’s no danger of that,” he said.

She closed the carton and fiddled with the cardboard corner. “Do you want to… do something sometime? Hang out?”

A cheesy grin spread across his face. “Are you kidding? Of course I do. You think I bring eggs to just anyone?”

She giggled, covering her mouth and feeling like a silly schoolgirl, then took a deep breath, reminding herself to act like a normal adult.

He smiled along with her. “Well, actually I do bring eggs to anyone who wants them, but I don’t usually enjoy it so much. Usually my customers aren’t so pretty and I make them pay. But, I’m rambling. Sorry. What do you want to do?”

She shifted her weight, thinking. “If it’s not rainy tomorrow, we could play disc golf?”

“
I’ve never actually done that. Is it fun?”

“
We could do something else if you want, but I think it’s fun. My best friend Stephanie and I always go. It was a big thing in high school. I’ll teach you.”

Kate entered the kitchen and began working on the pizza Bianca had left abandoned on the prep counter.

She mouthed a quick “Thank you,” to Kate, then turned back to Levi.

“
Yeah, we could do that. Just don’t laugh at me, okay? There are lots of other things I’m good at.” He winked and smiled broadly.

“
So I’ve seen. There’s a nice course at Willamette Park. Do you want to meet me there?”

“
I can pick you up.”

Peter had insisted he drive and that hadn’t turned out well, but her gut told her she wouldn’t have to worry about that with Levi. Hopefully, her gut was right. “Okay, pick me up at four?”

“
Four’s good. I still don’t have your number, though.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket.

She told him her phone number and then added, “You should wear boots or some sort of solid shoe, the grass might be wet.”

He nodded, still looking at his phone.

A vibrating sensation in her pocket startled her. She pulled her cell out, glancing at the lit screen. The text message read
, Can’t wait for tomorrow.