Page 7 of Picking Daisies on Sundays

“I didn’t think you’d ever do the boyfriend thing,” she speculated. “I assume she’ll be coming to the wedding then,” Bella stated formally, still ignoring me.

“Yes, she will be.” Levi said.

He was upset. She had the ability to make him upset. Levi liked this girl. It was obvious from the way his face lit up the second he saw her. He had always attracted girls though; it was no surprise. From his flirtatious charm to his hazel eyes and dark hair. It was like the angles and structure of his face were made to be replicated by artists and stared at by beautiful girls.

Just the way he would look at you with this absolute intensity that let you know he was paying attention to every word you said like you were an addictive drug. Everyone desired to be with him and be around him. But I had never seen Levi reciprocate those feelings to the girls that followed his movements.

I was going to vomit.

“I guess I’ll see you both at the game tomorrow then,” Bella said.

Game?

“See you tomorrow,” he finished without looking at Bella, his hand now catching mine as he pulled us out of the bar and around the corner. Before he could walk any further, not having any clue

where he was headed, I came to a halt.

“You need to explain, right now.” I let go of his hand so I

could think clearly.

The sky was only just darkening as the sun made its escape, the streetlights clicking on and illuminating the brownstone townhouses and shops.

As Levi turned around, I realized that it was the first time tonight that I saw a look of distress sweep over his features, his hand pressing his temple. “I did not plan for that to happen,” he said leaning against the wall, not far from my home and the flower shop.

“God, I would hope not, because you should know that I am the worst person to pick when it comes to lying. So, explain to me what just happened,” I said.

“I panicked.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Youpanicked?”I asked with astoundment. “If that girl looked at me one more time, I’m convinced it would’ve been the last thing I saw before she knocked me out!”

He laughed, a smile appearing across his tan face. As our eyes met, all the anger in my body extinguished.

“What happened?” I asked. Expecting some horror-filled break up story based on the way Bella reacted to Levi dating someone else.

“She’s a friend of Sarah’s. We went on a few dates throughout the year, but it didn’t turn out how she wanted.” It sounded like there was more to be said, but he looked conflicted.

As much as I wanted reach out to him, similar to the way we used to hug one another every Thursday night before I walked back to my house or when we passed our dreaded Friday physics exams, I kept my hands together. We weren’t those people anymore.

“Why would you tell her we’re dating then?” I asked, genuinely curious.

He shook his head. “I’m trying to stay on her good side, and she knows that. Her mother runs the Arts department for The New York Timesand has the power to hire me. She’s convinced that I’m a loose cannon though.”

“What? Why? That makes no sense,” I shook my head, even more confused than before.

“She thought I was a qualified candidate for the position before finding out about me dating Bella. She’s convinced I won’t stick around in the city—that I’m not serious about my future because I can’t commit to a relationship with her daughter.”

“She said this to you?” I asked in disbelief; my face hurt with surprise. This sounded…illegal?

He had something to say, something that he didn’t want to share. The reason…I didn’t know why. But often he held back when it involved his personal feelings. There was something about this relationship, or lack thereof, with Bella that he wasn’t saying.

“She’s her mother. I couldn’t blame her for putting her guard up.”

Protective, caring Levi as usual. “And I come into this how…”

He groaned with embarrassment, “I promise this was not planned. I panicked. First I saw you, then her.” My heart swelled at those three words. “I know if Bella sees me in a relationship, she’s likely to tell her mother.”

“I don’t know. We’re talking about pretending to be a couple here, and I haven’t even seen you inyears.The last thing I want is to deceive your family and intrude on Sarah’s wedding.” This was much easier to say than explaining my unrequited feelings for him,