Page 124 of Cactus Heart
Ha.“The dining room is straight ahead.”
“I know where it’s at,” Avery mumbled, leading the way.
Levi looked around as he followed her and I was suddenly a lot more self-conscious of my house. I mean, it was a house,which was saying a lot in the world we lived in. It was entirely too small and there were parts of it that were outdated, but it was mine. Over the last couple of years, I’d taken cues from Avery andattemptedto decorate.
My living room was cozy. My couch was definitely from my college days, whichwasslightly embarrassing. I did have a new leather recliner that made me feel like an old man every time I sat in it, but I loved it regardless.
“Your place is like mine,” Levi chuckled as he put the food down on the table.
“Basic?”
His smile warmed me. “Just not like Avery’s.”
“I like it,” Avery said. “It’s . . .”
“Don’t even try,” I snorted. “If we ever live together, you can decorate.”
It was easy to say that. Easy for the words to slip out, easy to say something so casually about a future together. And yet, the tension in the room became painful.
“I’ll grab silverware.” Avery practically fled to the kitchen.
Levi was quiet and broody as he untied the plastic bags. I could see his mind working. Thinking.
I wasn’t going to shy away from the future, I decided. Even if it hurt. Even if it felt like a thousand tiny needles in my chest every time I thought about what happenedafterMonday.
“What’s your schedule like next week?” I asked.
Levi’s brows pulled together. “Busy.”
“I’m sure. Meeting with your agent?”
He nodded. “The moment I land, I’ll probably be in and out of meeting rooms for a full week. I’m sure they’re going to come up with some sort of social media strategy for me.”
Avery returned with bowls and utensils, but I’d lost my appetite. I tried to flip back to being horny, to being dominant,to wanting to do all the hot deviant activities I’d been wanting to do with both of them all day.
But it was hard.
It was hard to think about anything except the looming deadline.
Avery breathed out. “All right. I have a request.”
Levi and I looked at her as we sat down around my table.
“What’s that?” Levi asked.
“I want to pretend for the rest of the night that there’s nothing else outside these walls. Can we do that?”
Could we?
Levi nodded. “I’d like that.”
They both looked at me and I leaned back in my chair, considering. Finally, I nodded. “Okay.”
“That wasn’t very enthusiastic,” she said half-heartedly.
All I did was smile and reach for the fried rice. “Maria knows, by the way.”
Avery gasped and Levi’s brows shot up.
