Page 104 of Burning for You
“No. I swear, I don’t do it anymore.”
“I believe you,” I say. “You had your reasons. Who am I to judge?”
Levi holds my hand. “I understand if you change your mind about us. Don’t let me be the one who comes between you and your family.”
“Levi…” I grab his other hand. “You’re the most important thing in my life. It’s impossible for you to get in the way of anything. Don’t let my dad bring you down. I accept what you did. Am I not the most important person in this?”
“I didn’t have sex with those women, you know.”
“Levi, it’s okay,” I say and kiss him.
He gives me a curt nod. “Let’s go and do this.”
I know he still has a lot in his head, but I can see he wants to get the gala over and done with.
Arriving hand in hand at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we smile for the cameras. I’ve been at red-carpet events alone and with a partner, but tonight my mind is focused on Levi. He’s gorgeous, but in a tuxedo, he’s something else. For a moment the sight of him makes me forget about the argument we’ve been having.
“Miss Meyer, lovely dress. Who are you wearing?”
“I’m wearing Sass by Caro,” I say proudly while spinning around to exhibit the intricate drapes of my backless satin dress.
Levi holds my waist loosely. I hope he knows that I’m doing the spinning for him.
“Miss Meyer, is it true you’re getting engaged to Mr. Holt?”
“Oh, come on. Patience!”
“Mr. Holt, have you heard of the name Anton Mendez?”
I eye my bodyguard, and he soon comes between us and Zac Moss.
But Levi sneaks out of Sam’s protection and slaps the microphone away from the pesky Street Messenger reporter. “Don’t you dare!” He grabs Zac’s collar, ready to punch his face.
“Levi,” I call while Sam pulls him away. “Come on. Ignore him.”
“How did he know?” Levi quavers in anger.
“My relationship with Anton wasn’t really a secret, I told you. He just wanted a reaction from you.”
“You’re used to this, huh?” he says. “You seem so relaxed for someone who has a secret.”
“Levi, let’s just get tonight over and done with.”
With Levi still fuming, we make our way along the red carpet.
Then Zac’s persistent voice blares, “Is it true you’re expecting? We saw you with Mr. Mendez at St. Anne’s Clinic.”
The bastard!
This time Sam really pushes the man away, while I rein in Levi hard, preventing him from going after Zac. Moss, or someone else, must’ve noticed me going into the clinic the other day—unless it was a set-up!
“Where did that question come from?” Levi asks, horrified.
“I don’t know. Press. They always look for sensation.”
Friends and acquaintances soon surround us, so we have to put our socialite faces on. Prabal Gurung, Marc Jacobs, and Anna Wintour are among the first guests that we mingle with. I know Levi is like a cat walking on a hot roof at the moment, but I admire his willingness to stand by me for the whole four agonizing hours.
As we make our way out, inevitably more cameras greet us. My Zac-Moss-sensitized eyes search for the reporter, but he’s nowhere to be seen.