“Do you want your own room or something?”

“No. Of course not!” She looked offended.

“I was just checking.”

“Are you doing okay? Are you really just out here for water?”

“Would you be mad if I told you I wanted you to wake up?”

She laughed. “No. What’s going on?”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. Suddenly the red and blue checkered fleece blanket seemed really interesting. Eventually I looked up. “Were you really joking about the Pteron magnet thing?”

“Yes, I was kidding.”

“But is it possible…” I had to know.

“Isn’t anything possible?”

“Hailey. Come on.” I sipped my water.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Levi?”

“I can’t. Every time I ask him anything about it, it somehow goes back to my sex life with Toby.” I shuddered. I still couldn’t believe Toby had been there earlier that night.

“Call Helen. If anyone knows, she would.”

“Helen? How can I even bring it up?” The thought of asking Levi’s mom hadn’t crossed my mind.

Hailey shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s the middle of the night and that’s the best I can come up with.”

I set down my empty glass on the coffee table. “Thanks. I’ll talk to her.” The more I thought about it, the better it sounded.

“Did you girls forget to invite me to the slumber party?” Jared came out of his room in just a pair of boxers.

Hailey covered her eyes. “Put some clothes on.”

“No, thanks. Are you girls hungry? I want pancakes.”

I curled my legs up under me. “Pancakes? It’s three a.m.”

“And pancakes don’t taste good at three a.m.?” He grinned.

“I am kind of hungry…” I admitted.

“Then come help, Princess.”

I got up, forgetting how little I was wearing.

“Nice shirt.” He pulled out a griddle and turned it on. “Funny, I thought Levi was wearing it earlier.”

“At least I’m wearing more than underwear.”

“It’s my kitchen. I can wear what I want.”

I glanced at Hailey. She’d joined us in the kitchen. “And you wonder why I won’t move in?”

“Didn’t Levi ask you about the houses?”

“Houses?”

“No, I didn’t have the chance yet.” Levi walked out of his room, still looking half asleep. He was also in nothing but boxers, and he put an arm around me. “You look really good in that.”

“Yeah? I figured you wouldn’t mind me borrowing it.”

“It looks much better on you than on me.” He took a seat on one of the stools at the counter, and pulled me onto his lap.

Hailey groaned. “Okay there is entirely too much naked maleness in here. Can you guys please put on clothes?”

“I hope you say that about every half naked guy.” Owen strutted out. He, at least, had a shirt on.

“Can you grab the milk?” Jared asked.

“Sure.” I started to move.

Levi pulled me back against him. “Owen will get it.”

Jared grinned. “I guess I lost my assistant.”

Levi leaned his chin against the top of my head. “Yes, you did.”

“So what were you supposed to tell me about houses?”

“Anytime you’re ready, we can start house hunting.”

I turned on his lap. “House hunting? We’re not ready for that.”

“Do you think we’re going to live here after the wedding?” he asked casually.

“Wedding?” I steadied myself on his shoulder. “We’re still supposed to be doing that?”

“How did I find myself the one girl who doesn’t want to get married?”

“That’s not true. I want to, but it’s just so soon.” I never planned on getting married young, especially not before graduating from college.

“We have months, don’t worry about it.”

With everything else going on, I decided to drop it. My stomach grumbled.

“Throw some blueberries in, would you?” Levi remembered how much I loved blueberry pancakes—he’d earned himself some extra points.

Chapter Four

“Am I in trouble?” Levi stood in the doorway of his room with his car keys dangling from his fingers.

“Why would you be in trouble?” I tapped my foot impatiently. I was already ten minutes late, thanks to my inability to resist Levi.

“What other reason would you have to spend the day with my mom? You’re obviously upset and want to get her to take your side or something.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Is it impossible to believe I just want to get to know my future mother-in-law?” It was weird using that term, but I had accepted we were going to be married eventually.

Levi didn’t miss the importance of me using the title either. “Mother-in-law, huh? Just for that, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.”

I moved to push past him but he caught me and spun me around to look at him. “Are you absolutely sure you don’t want me to hang out with you both?”

“Levi?” I laced my fingers with his.

“Yes?”

“I’m spending the afternoon with your mother. You are not invited, and nothing you can say will change that.”

“Funny thing to say to your ride.”

“Do you want me to get someone else to drive me? I’d take my own car, but wait—I’m not allowed.”

“I thought you agreed it’s for the best right now?”

I let go of his hands. “I do agree, but don’t get all annoying about driving me places.”

He smiled. “You ready, my lady?”

“Yes. I’m ready.”

***

“Allie, honey. I’m so glad you called.” Helen opened the door to welcome us in. I’d been over to the Laurent house more times in the last week than I’d ever been before. I’m pretty sure Robert thought interrogating his future daughter-in-law at his house was more acceptable than dragging me down to his office at the hotel. He kept asking me questions about Toby. I don’t think any of my answers were what he was looking for.

“I’m sorry we’re late.” I wasn’t necessarily an early bird, but I hated keeping people waiting—well, except for Levi. It was fun to annoy him sometimes by taking a while to get ready.