“Hey, don’t say you’re alone. Don’t I count for something?”
I looked up at Levi’s million-dollar smile. I couldn’t help it; I smiled back.
“That’s what I was looking for. It’s going to be okay. But why did Jess leave?”
“It’s—” I started to say it was because of Jared but thought better of it. “It’s personal”
“I’ll take that, but on one condition?”
“What?”
“Come out with me tonight. I promise I’ll cheer you up.”
I needed a distraction and Levi was being uncharacteristically nice so I agreed. “Sure, just let me get changed.”
I was about to walk into the bathroom when there was another knock on the door—room service. “Just leave it, here you go.” Levi quickly took charge and I never even saw who delivered it.
He opened the Styrofoam container. “You want to eat cake first, or do you want to get changed?”
“I’m not in the mood for it anymore. You can have it or just put it in the fridge.”
I took my time getting ready. Washing my face, I stared at my reflection in the mirror unable to ignore the flush I saw there. Levi had such a physical effect on me. I had never been so attracted to a guy in my life. I changed into a pair of dark jeans and a tank top. It was hot out, but I wanted the comfort of my favorite jeans. I dug out a pair of Mary Janes from my closet, needing a break from sandals.
As I brushed my hair and put on some makeup, my cell phone rang in the living area. I thought about running out to answer it, but I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. I dropped my brush when I heard Levi’s voice from through the closed door.
“Hello.”
Anger flared. Had he actually picked up my phone?
“No, Allie’s not available right now, she’s getting changed.”
“Who am I? The name’s Levi. Well, hello Toby, but I’m sorry I think Allie would have mentioned a boyfriend before she spent the night at my place. Are you sure you don’t mean ex-boyfriend?”
I froze with my hand on the knob. My first reaction was to grab the phone from him, but maybe this was what Toby needed to finally take the hint that it was over.
“No, I won’t go to hell, but I’ll take a message.” Levi laughed and I hesitated a little longer.
“You can come out now, I’m off.”
I pushed open the door. “How’d you know I was listening?”
“I heard you breathing.”
“You heard me through the door?”
“You didn’t really think you were fooling me, did you?”
“Whatever. I can’t believe you answered my phone.”
“You could have stopped me at any time. Something tells me you have no problem with what I told Toby.”
“You’re right.”
“I’m sure I am, but about what exactly?’
“That I don’t mind what you said. He’s my ex-boyfriend. We broke up a few months ago and he hasn’t really accepted it.”
“I can’t say I blame him.” Levi watched me, not bothering to hide his blatant evaluation of every inch of me.
“So, aren’t we going out?” I asked, uncomfortable talking about Toby with Levi. It just felt wrong.
“Yes, the night awaits.”
I followed Levi out into the hallway, noticing the empty cake container on the table before letting the door lock behind us.
***
Coffee with Levi was surprisingly relaxing. Maybe he felt bad for me or possibly he figured out the other tactics weren’t working, but Levi was actually polite and an interesting conversationalist. He had me laughing which was something I didn’t expect to do again for a while. He also showed me a slightly more serious side to him.
“What really brought you down here this summer?”
“What do you mean? Working at the hotel…”
“That’s what you say, but couldn’t you have gotten a job back home?”
“What does it matter?”
“I’m just trying to figure you out.”
“Figure me out?”
“You have to be the hardest girl to read.”
I laughed. “I can’t be that hard to read.”
“We have a girl with a few months before leaving for college and instead of staying home to enjoy time with her friends, either bumming around or working some silly part time job, you drive across the country to work at a hotel for a dad who has been here all of one day since you arrived.”
“Get to the point.” I wasn’t sure where he was headed.
“Either this is all an elaborate effort to get away from your ex, or you’re running from something else.”
“I’m not running from anything.”
“So it’s all Toby?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Okay, so what is it?”
“Can’t there be a third choice? I wanted to try something new.”
“Isn’t college trying something new already?” He gazed at me as if challenging me to contradict him.
“Yes, but that’s different.” I struggled to find the words to explain it, because I didn’t completely know why I did it myself.
“Different?”
“Yeah, I don’t know, it just seemed like an adventure.”
“An adventure? You’re looking for an adventure huh? Where do I sign up?” He wriggled an eyebrow.
I laughed. “Stop, I just mean no one would ever expect me to spend a summer in New Orleans. It’s different and it was so last minute. I actually quit another job at the last second so I could come here.”
Levi fake gasped. “What? How could you?”
“Well, I guess it wasn’t quitting because I didn’t quite start, but I was supposed to be a lifeguard at a local beach. I changed my mind when my dad called to invite me down.”
“Then I propose a toast.” Levi lifted his to-go coffee cup.
“A toast? With coffee?”
“You can toast with any beverage.”
“Sure, why not?” I raised my cup as well. “But what are we toasting?”
“To Allie’s great adventure.”
I laughed as he tapped his cup to mine and dramatically finished the rest of his coffee.
My phone rang. “It’s Jess. Do you mind if I get this?”
“No, not a problem.”
I answered. “Hey, are you home?”
“Yeah, I got in about ten minutes ago. I wanted to apologize for leaving like that. I didn’t mean to ditch you.”