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“Okay, okay. I was out of my medicine and I should have handled being out of my medicine differently. No one needs to gang up on Amy anymore.”
“You remind me of who I was before I realized people were there for me,” Isra said pointedly. “There’s no pride in doing it alone. Only loneliness.”
“That’s the thing. No onewantedto before.”
“What’s your parents’ address again? I ... need to know ... forscience.”
“They’re hopeless,” Levi said. “Trust me, I’ve met them.”
“You’re probably the best thing to come out of that, then,” Nancy said.
“My sister is pretty cool too.”
“We’ll have to meet her.”
“I don’t know,” Levi said. “Isra and Emma might burn down the world.”
“Then Idefinitelyshould meet her,” Isra said.
I glanced over at Levi, unable to help the intrusive thought that popped into my head. Would he be around for long enough for all of that to happen? Or would he get bored?
Levi wound his hand through mine. It wasn’t an answer, but it made me feel better.
“Sowhatare we going to do the next time you get sick?” Isra asked.
“Take my medicine.”
“Yes. And call your family.”
“They mean them,” Levi explained.
“But you guys don’t have to do that.”
“You’re part of the family now,” Nancy said it like it was obvious.
“And our family takes care of each other,” Isra added. “Even when we drive each other crazy.”
“Don’t I know it.” Nancy rolled her eyes and Isra elbowed her.
I didn’t know what else to say other than a heartfelt thank you.
“You’re welcome. Now, can I have permission to sort your books? They’re just thrown on the shelves!”
“Oh, sorry. I haven’t had time to organize them.”
Isra rubbed her hands together. “Don’t apologize. Just let me at them.”
I gestured for her to go ahead and she hurried into the den where I kept my books. But as she disappeared, her head peeked back out.
“Levi, I need you to come and help me.”
“With what? Smut levels?”
“Sure, yeah. Whatever that is. Just come over here.”
Levi glanced at me before following his stepmom with a sigh.
“Are they gonna be okay?” I asked. “I get the vibe that Isra can sometimes press Levi’s buttons. And I’ve already done that enough for a lifetime.”