The Apple Tree (32 page)

L
evi tossed Bianca’s bike into the back of the truck and then slid into the driver’s seat. He clicked his seatbelt before glancing beside him.

The setting sun streamed over Bianca’s hair, making it glow a lovely warm orange. She caught his gaze and smiled. “I really have no idea how my mom’s going to react to the wedding plans. She might not care much, but then sometimes she swings into these weird protective moods and acts like a real mom.”

He started the ignition. “I guess we’ll find out.”

The truck rolled over the crunching gravel, making it hard to hear each other until they pulled on to the main road.

“
The hard part will be telling Stephanie and Kate. Well, not Kate so much. She’ll probably roll her eyes and judge me behind my back, but she’ll act excited. Stephanie’s a momma bear though. She’s always been very protective of her girlfriends.”

He nodded and placed a hand on her knee. “It’s great that everyone cares for you so much to be concerned. You’re lucky.”

“
I know.” She smiled and her honey eyes lit. “I just hope everyone can see how happy you make me.”

“
I think it’s written all over our faces.”

They pulled up to her apartment, parked along the curb and hopped out.

She pulled her sweater closed and he wished he had an extra coat in the car to lend her. The nights were getting colder as October came to an end. They walked up the pathway hand in hand.

“
Ready?” he asked when they reached the door.

“
I suppose.” She shrugged and pushed the door open. They walked inside and found her mother in the kitchen washing dishes.

Levi’s eyes widened. From what Bianca told him, Lisa didn’t usually do much cleaning. She must actually be trying to be more responsible.

Owen sat on the floor beside her, playing with toy trucks. When he saw Bianca, he ran toward her, hugging her knees before returning to his toys.

“
Um, Mom? We have something to tell you.” Bianca cleared her throat, glancing toward Levi.

He nodded and gave her hand a squeeze.

“
Yes, hun?” Lisa turned to face them, a smile on her face.

“
Levi and I are… um, we’re getting married.”

The sponge dropped to the floor and Lisa stared blank for a moment. “Are you pregnant?”

Levi’s face fell. If only that were possible.

“
No, mom.” Bianca’s mouth fell open. “Why would you even think that?”

“
You guys just met. What I am supposed to think?”

“
That we’re crazy about each other.” Bianca grinned at Levi. She stood on her tiptoes and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

Her soft lips sent images streaming through his mind that were entirely inappropriate to be having in front of her mother and he blushed.

Owen stood and handed Levi a truck.

“
Thanks, bud,” he said.

“
Are you sure that’s what you want, Bee? You’re moving really fast.”

“
I’m sure.”

Levi dropped Bianca’s hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I hope you’re okay with this, Lisa. I know it’s fast, but I love your daughter very much.”

Lisa’s eyes darted between them and she took a deep breath. A smile spread across her face. She squealed, hopped up and down and hugged them both. “I barely know you, Levi, but I’ve always liked you.”

The next morning they agreed to meet Stephanie at a little café downtown. Levi laughed as they walked past the giant iron chicken sitting on the sidewalk and continued to the front door, his arm around Bianca’s waist.

Inside, red paint covered the walls along with brightly colored artwork. A brunette with golden skin, dark eyes and hoop earrings waved at them from a corner table. A smile was plastered across her face, but she gave off a tough girl vibe, which he found intimidating.

Bianca nodded toward her. “That’s Steph.”

“
It’s nice to finally meet you,” Levi said as they sat down across from her. “I’ve heard a lot about you,”

“
I’ve heard a lot about you too.” Stephanie’s tone made him think it wasn’t all good.

The waitress appeared. A vine tattoo twisted around her neck and her mouth turned down at the corners. “Can I get you something to drink?”

They ordered coffee and the waitress left with a smirk.

Stephanie rolled her eyes at the waitress’ back and then turned toward Levi. “Well, I see why you’re always so quick to forgive him.” Her brows rose and her gaze drifted up and down his body in a way that made him blush.

He picked up the menu and pretended he hadn’t heard the comment.

Bianca laughed and grabbed his arm. “Ignore her, she flirts with everyone.” She stuck her tongue out at Stephanie.

“
Sorry, Levi, it’s true.” Stephanie chuckled and stuck her tongue out as well.

Bianca glanced at him and then turned back to her friend. “Okay, Steph. I’ve got big news.”

Stephanie put down the menu and gave her an expectant look.

“
We’re getting married!” Bianca thrust her hand across the table, the ring inches from the brunette’s nose.

Stephanie covered her mouth and gasped. She glanced back and forth between them. “For real this time?”

So, she’d heard about their disagreement earlier.

Bianca sighed. “Yes, for real. We worked things out. The wedding is this Saturday.” She grinned and grabbed his arm.

He smiled at how excited Bianca was. She was impossibly cute, bouncing up and down on the seat next to him.

Stephanie’s eyes grew wide and she held up her hands. “This Saturday? Why are you moving so fast?”

Bianca reached across the table, taking Stephanie’s hands. “I know you’re worried, but this is what I want. Be happy for me.”

Stephanie closed her eyes and fiddled with her earrings. After a moment, she smiled. “Okay, let me see the ring.”

The women gushed over the ring until the waitress returned with their coffee and took their food orders.

Bianca pinched his cheek. “Want me to choose something for you, honey bunny?”

Stephanie’s brows furrowed.

“
I’m just giving him a hard time. I always make him try new food,” Bianca said.

He rolled his eyes and ordered bacon and eggs.

When the waitress left, Bianca excused herself to use the restroom.

As soon as she left, Stephanie pointed a finger at his nose. “I’m going to be happy for Bianca, but I don’t trust you. If you break her heart, I will track you down, cut off your balls and feed them to your stupid chickens. Got it?”

He cleared his throat. His balls would probably grow right back, but even still, the little brunette was terrifying. Although, he understood the desire to protect Bianca. “Got it,” he said.

“
Good.” She took a sip of her mocha with whipped cream, glancing at his cup. “How can you drink it black? That’s disgusting.”

He chuckled and took a sip. “If it’s good coffee you don’t need all the extras.” The super sweet, chocolaty aroma of her drink drifted all the across the table and it did smell good, but if he tried to drink something with so much sugar it would make him sick.

Bianca returned and he placed his hand on her thigh. Now that they were past the awkward first touches, he couldn’t keep his hands off her.

She laced her fingers through his and then babbled on with Stephanie about wedding plans. Leaving him to mostly eat in silence and stare at the beautiful woman who would soon be his bride. The woman who had changed his life from a monotonous passing of years to something worth enjoying. Something worth cherishing.

Peter sat in his borrowed Honda, across the street from the florist. Bianca and Stephanie climbed out of their car and walked inside. His jaw clenched.

The wedding was still on.

His fist slammed against the steering wheel. For days, he’d been waiting for her to call. How could she refuse his offer? He ripped the sunglasses off his face, throwing them across the car.

Through the store window, the women chatted with the older gentleman inside.

A low moan escaped his chest and he pounded his arm against the seat beside him.

The only woman who made him feel like a fucking person again would rather be with Levi. The only woman who’d cured his apathy, made him want to feel anything besides controlled numbness. The only woman who’d made him see the future as something to look forward to rather than loath. And it was all a big joke to her. He buried his head in his hands, taking several deep breaths to calm himself.

There was only one thing left to do. Without allowing himself to consider the consequences, he gritted his teeth and pulled his phone from his jacket pocket.

“
Peter?” his father answered.

“
Yeah, it’s me. I think I have something that will make Levi talk.”

When Bianca came home from work Thursday night, she found her mother sitting on the futon, watching TV with a glass of wine.

“
Hey, Mom, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.” Bianca sat down next to her and looked around the room. “Where’s Owen?”

“
He’s at the neighbors. I needed a break.” She took a sip of her glass.

Bianca raised her eyebrows. “I thought you were going to act more responsible?”

“
This is responsible. What am I doing wrong? He’s safe and I’m sitting here relaxing.”

Bianca sighed. Her mother was probably right, everyone needed to relax sometimes. “Just watch how much you’re drinking, please.”

Her mother rolled her eyes. “I’m a grown woman, but I’m only having one glass tonight.”

Bianca smoothed the green futon cushion with her hand. “Anyway, we haven’t really discussed what’s going to happen after the wedding. I’m moving in with Levi…”

“
And you’re worried about me and Owen?” Her mother set the wineglass on the coffee table and leaned forward to wrap her arm around Bianca’s shoulders. “Bee, I really appreciate you moving back in here to help me out before, but you need to start living your life. I’ve leaned on you for too long. You’re like a crutch I just need to let go and try to walk.” She picked her glass back up, taking a sip. “Really, I’m going to start acting like a mother. I did it before, remember?”