He softened and cupped her face. “You’re not upset?”
“Well, I have nothing to compare this to because no one’s ever searched for me or ever gone through that much trouble to find me before. But your mom and dad and sister did.”
Just like that, his amusement was gone and he felt like a total asshole. Here he was, embarrassed by his nosy family, when he was talking to a woman whose own family had completely deserted her, tossed her out like yesterday’s trash. Wrapping his arms around her, he brushed a kiss to her temple. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“I do, you told me that last night when I was—”
He kissed her. While laughing. Another first for him. When they broke from the kiss, he asked, “Are you really ready for this?”
“Yes. Because God knows what my grandpa is in there telling them.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Let’s do this.”
When they walked inside, everyone was lined up looking sheepish, but to Levi’s surprise, Jane smiled even bigger and walked right over to his mom, handing over the basket holding the loaf of bread she’d made. “Shirl, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Oh, honey.” His mom yanked Jane in for a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I was. I just needed to know that my son had found someone worthy, and then once I started talking to you, I realized that in spite of himself he’d managed to find someone even better than I could have ever imagined.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mom,” Levi said dryly.
His mom ignored him and kept hugging Jane, who met Levi’s gaze over his mom’s shoulder.
Smiling.
Tess moved toward Jane next, sincere regret and remorse in her voice. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I should’ve told you who I was from the very start. But you turned out to be so sweet, and so funny that I wanted to be your friend for real. I got carried away. I’ve regretted it every single day since, I just didn’t know how to tell you.”
“I get it. You were looking out for your brother.” She hugged Tess. “Thank you.”
His sister pulled back, looking grateful. “For what?”
“For being my first new friend in a long time.”
“Hey,” Levi said. “Standing right here.”
Jane smiled at him, looking beautiful and happy.
“Okay, my second new friend,” she corrected.
Levi smiled back as his dad came forward next, sheepish. “I should’ve told you as well. But I didn’t because Shirley made me do it.”
Levi’s mom grimaced at being thrown under the bus, but didn’t deny a thing. “We’re just thrilled you’re finally here,” she said. “And that you brought your charming grandpa.”
Lloyd was sitting on one of the recliners with Peyton. They were reading a book together, heads bent to the pages. He lifted his head and waved at Jane. “No one’s ever asked me what my third favorite reptile is before.”
“It’s the T. rex!” Peyton said joyfully, her ponytails practically vibrating with excitement.
Jane moved over there to meet her, and after Levi did the introduction, Peyton immediately pointed at Jane’s locket. “Pretty!”
Jane opened it, and from the moment Peyton caught sight of eight-year-old Jane dressed as a fairy princess, their bond was forged in unbreakable ties. Levi’s heart stopped skipping beats and warmed.
“I was a fairy princess for Halloween last year!” Peyton said—aka yelled. “And the year before that! But this year I’m going to be something real. I’m going to be a unicorn!”