Page 11 of Picking Daisies on Sundays

But I was definitely worrying because my mom and Mandy watched me talk and cry over Levi for months after our high school prom. If they knew I was pretending to be Levi’s girlfriend, they’d behorrified, and an intervention would then be staged to address my sanity shortly after.

“We can’t,” I said quickly, grabbing his shirt to keep him from leaving.

“Why not?” he asked, his eyebrows knitting together.

Pulling together the first lie I could think of that would make sense, I said, “Because I just got out of a relationship.”

“You did?” He pulled back. It was a partial truth. I had been on more than enough dates with this guy who was a TA for one of my classes. But it wasn’t serious, and I was the one to end it. He never cut his hair and didn’t wear enough deodorant; it was never going to work.

“Yes, and if they knew we were pretending to date, they would think I’m delusional and heartbroken,” I spoke so swiftly that it didn’t give him a moment to question it.

I left the bathroom hastily, trying to get as far away as I couldfrom my bedroom and Levi before the two women downstairs would find us. Maybe he would stay in my room until I found a way to sneak him out.

“Hi Mom, hi Mandy,” I said with a smile, finding them in the kitchen. “What happened with the farmer’s market?” I asked, trying not to sound suspicious as I hugged them both.

Mandy sighed, waving her hands in circles as she spoke, “What didn’t happen, is what you should be asking. Hal didn’t have my cucumbers, your mother forgot her wallet here, I wore two different shoes,” yup, two different shoes were on her feet, “and then I—”

“Where are you going?” my mom cut Mandy off, noting the baseball cap and sneakers I wore like she was collecting evidence. Her tone was serious and motherly enough that Mandy didn’t interrupt her.

Apparently, I don’t wear athleisure often.

I did my best to remain casual. Drawing out my words until I knew what to say, “I…am…”

“Coming to play softball with my family,” Levi spoke up behind me in the doorway of the kitchen, finishing what I definitelydid notplan to say. A heart melting smile pressed into his sharp cheekbones with his hands in his pockets.

So much for waiting in my room.

“LEVI!” My mom and Mandy jumped from their seats, running past me, and enveloping Levi in a hug only women with motherly bones in their bodies could offer. Levi embraced them back, his arms stretching around them with nostalgic love.

I couldn’t help but admire the sight, but I also didn’t want them to crush him any longer. “Let Levi breathe please,” I said

with an embarrassed smile.

My mom backed up, gripping Levi’s arms, “How have you been? How long are you staying? Are you going out?”

“As much as I would love to stay, Dani and I are actually going to Sarah’s softball game—it’s one of the wedding festivities,” he put air quotes around the wordfestivities, followed by a laugh.

“Sarah’s getting married?” Mandy asked romantically, clasping her hands together.

“She is,” he said with a smile, “end of May.” Turning his head to focus his attention on…me, oh no. My face flushed as he said, “Dani will be there.”

My eyes widened in the least discrete way possible.Whydid he have to bring that up? The best option possible would have been to let them think we were just friends. Now—

“Oh, she will be?” she looked at me pointedly for not keeping her in the loop, “Why is that?”

Levi glanced at me; a light smile and romantic look sweeping over his face as he said, “We’re dating.”

Oh god.This was a lot of feelings for only day one of fake dating. I would’ve believed him too from the way his eyes darkened, and voice softened. It felt romantic and intimate, as if we shared secrets before getting ready for bed together and knew what each other’s lips tasted like.

If only it weren’t for the image of Levi’s hands on Bella last night.

“You’rewhat?!”If my mom and Mandy were excited to see Levi, then they were over the moon about this. I don’t think I’ve

seen her this happy since her dress was featured on the cover of Vogue.

“I never gave up hope on the two of you getting together! I knew you’d come around Levi!” Mandy shrieked as she gripped his arms in excitement.

Would I be overreacting right now if I walked into the first moving vehicle outside?