Page 59 of Just Between Us
“Flew in last night,” he says. Connor nods at Levi and says a quick ‘Hey’ before turning back to his screen. Levi’s eyes land back on me. “Are you busy?”
“Oh, uh,” I look at the jumble of code on my screen.
“Go ahead, man,” Connor says. “You need the break.”
He’s right, we both need a break, but I know Connor can’t be pulled away once he’s in the zone. “Do you want anything?” I ask.
“Bring me back a matcha latte and I’ll propose.”
I snort. “You can keep the ring, thanks.”
I notice Levi smirk.
“Shall we?” I ask after I close my laptop.
We move through the office, and I don’t miss some of the looks I get. Levi has been spending a lot of time down here and there are bound to be questions about why a VP who is also dating the owner’s son is down here.
“It’s nice out today,” Levi says. “Want to take a walk?”
I nod, trying not to let my excitement show too much. We head downstairs, and out into the late March afternoon. The sun is out, and the days are now longer, the sun a little warmer.
“How was Shanghai?” I ask. Levi’s arm brushes against mine and despite the thick layer of my coat, my skin warms where we touch.
“Really good,” he says. “It’s one of my favourite cities but I missed home.”
I meet his eyes, the sun hitting his irises turning them a honey brown. I smile. “Home missed you.”
Levi gives me a look I can’t make out. It’s a half-smile but then he looks away, and my stomach falls. Did I say something wrong? I want to slap my forehead.
“Cole tells me you two had fun,” he says after a moment.
My mouth feels dry. The butterfly stitch is gone but there is still a slight nick just under my rib cage, evidence of what happened between us. I never thought I’d be into knife play or blood play or even sex in club bathrooms, but Cole and Levi have me discovering all sorts of new things about myself.
“Oh, uh,” I start. I don’t know what their rule is when it comes to sleeping with me alone.
Levi laughs quietly. “It’s fine, Kai. I know we didn’t really discuss that between us but I’m okay with it. After all, I did kiss you at the art gallery. I’m only jealous I wasn’t there to at least watch.” His voice is light and when I look at him, there is no trace of anger on his face. I let out a quiet breath.
We grab our drinks from a café at the end of the street. Iced hibiscus tea for him and coffee for me before walking to a nearby park. The sun is bright, and it almost warms the skin, the sky an uncharacteristic cerulean with wispy clouds. Newly sprouted daffodils line the concrete path and there’s the sweet spring scent in the air, a promise of blooming flowers and summer.
“My mother is hosting an Easter charity gala,” Levi says as we walk along the path that leads to an atrium up a hill. “Would you like to come with us?”
I pause. Come with us.
“You want me to come?” I repeat.
Levi nods. “Yeah,” he says with a smile.
For a moment, my skin buzzes at the idea of spending more time with them outside the confines of their house but reality quickly settles in. This is just friendly, nothing more. Suddenly, the coffee tastes too bitter. My stomach twists. I want to laugh at my delusion. That overwhelming feeling I felt with Cole returns like I’m trying so hard to fit somewhere I don’t.
You don’t belong in this family, Kenny told me once.
Maybe he was right. Maybe he would be right now. I don’t belong with them either.
“Kai?” Levi is frowning.
“What? Yeah, sorry. I’d—uh, I’d love to come.”
Levi grins. “Perfect.”