That was to say she grinned before she muttered, “Like I don’t know that,” as she rolled off the bed, rounded it, shot me another grin, and then she disappeared.

She would know I liked the Riviera’s chile rellenos, considering I’d eaten approximately seven hundred and twenty-two plates filled with them while sitting across from her.

I gave it a while before I got up, went to the bathroom, took my contacts out, washed my face, and went back to the bedroom to grab my glasses.

I moved out to the living room to see Brock standing just inside the front door talking to Levi and Lenore.

This was interesting.

Quick update: Lenore had not gone away. Lenore was around for Christmas lunch and New Year’s dinner with the Lucas clan. When I quizzed Brock about this, he told me he had no clue and when I pressed him to get the dirt, he told me had no intention of giving his brother the third degree about his love life. He said this firmly. Therefore, I let it go reluctantly.

But I was thinking good thoughts.

“Hey, Tess,” Levi called, his hazel eyes gentle on me in a way that was sweetly familiar mostly because his brother often looked at me the same way.

“Hey, Levi.” My eyes went to Lenore. “Hey, Lenore.”

“Hey, honey,” she said softly.

I got close and Brock claimed me, arm around the shoulders, tucking my front to his side.

I tipped my head back to look up at him and he informed me, “They went and got your car. It’s all good.”

It wasn’t all good. It wouldn’t be all good for a while.

But at least it was somewhat good for now.

I looked to Levi and Lenore. “Thanks, guys.”

“Not a problem,” Levi rumbled.

“Are you staying for Mexican?” I asked.

“No, we already ate, Tess, and we gotta go. But thanks,” Levi answered.

I nodded.

Lenore smiled at me.

Levi looked to his brother and gave him a chin lift.

“I’ll walk you out,” Brock muttered then looked down at me. “Stay here, babe, yeah?”

I nodded, gave out cheek kisses, hugs, and more words of gratitude and Brock walked out behind his brother and his brother’s girl.

I closed the door behind them but stared out the little window, exhausted from my terror-filled, adrenalin-surge, tantrum-throwing, crying-jag evening but not so exhausted I couldn’t be nosy about Lenore and Levi.

And I saw that I was right to think good thoughts. As they walked down my walk, Levi slid his arm around her shoulders and Lenore slid hers around his waist. Bonus was, when they stopped at Levi’s SUV to talk with Brock, Levi kept her close and Lenore rested the side of her head on his shoulder and when she did, it appeared Levi held her even closer.

Excellent.