Page 59 of Needed You

Me: Night, Lev.

Lev: Night, Dare.

Chapter 29

Levon

The knot in my gut has loosened a little bit. I don’t know if I’m happy that I have these feelings continually growing for Dare or if I’m mad at myself for letting it get to this point.

After leaving the Exchange, I was upset. I didn’t know that I would have that much of a reaction to seeing him share himself with someone else. Part of it was probably also my surprise. I thought maybe we were moving a little closer to more of a commitment. I don’t know if he stayed at the Exchange with that guy or went home with him or what happened, but I know he didn’t come home with me. The rejection stung a little, and I started to wonder if maybe I might have misread the situation and what’s going on between us.

When we’re together and flirting and messing around, he seems to be into it. Our texts are fun, and I thought he was feeling similarly. But then I’m just not sure, especially when he doesn’t seem to mind going a few days without contacting me.

His late-night texts tonight make me smile, but I’m not sure what they really mean. I don’t want to just be his plaything or someone he uses when he needs something. I want more from him. I was finally able to admit that to myself the other day, and I guess I was hoping he was thinking the same.

After our texts, the flutters in my stomach take some time to settle down, but once they do, I’m able to fall asleep.

The morning at work goes quickly, conversations with my uncle and customers moving the time along. When it’s nearing lunchtime, the door swings open, and Lindsey comes barreling in, a blast of cold air following her. I look up from the bike I’m working on and see her do a full body shiver.

“Baby, it’s cold outside,” she bellows, coming into the garage with what looked like two bags of takeout.

I stand up and wipe my hands off on a rag as she stands there with a huge smile on her face. She’s dressed like she’s trying for a certain look, wearing a pair of black tights, a short black pleated skirt, a white button-down, and a sweater with gold skulls on it, all rounded out with a new pair of black boots and her purple hair neatly done up in two braids. Honestly, she looks like she and Dare would be more suited for one another than me and Dare. The thought makes me grin, and I arch my eyebrows at her.

“I come bearing food,” she announces, lifting the two bags in the air. “Tacos and sides!” She breezes past me and Uncle John and heads toward the breakroom in the back of the shop.

I look at Uncle John and shrug. “Might as well stop for a while,” I tell him.

“Nah. You kids go on along,” he says. “I’m going to leave you to it after lunch. I have some things to do at home.” He shouts a goodbye to Lindsey, grabs his car keys, and takes off.

After washing up, I sit down with Lindsey at the table in the breakroom. While we eat, we start to talk, and I jump right to the point, since I’m pretty sure I know why she’s here.

“Sooooo,” I say, chomping on a tortilla chip, “you have some information I want to hear.” She’s beaming from ear to ear so I’m assuming everything went well with her date last night. “How was it?”

Lindsey sucks both lips in her mouth and pops them back out. She takes a deep breath and stretches her arms out onto the table.

“It was ahhhhhmazing, Lev!” Her energy is contagious. “He’s so cool and funny, and it was so fun. Lev, not only is he hot but he’s super smart! He’s working at the restaurant while finishing his MBA. He has plans to become a direct partner with his friend in their company.”

“Wow, that’s great, Linds. He sounds great for you.” My heart warms for my sister’s happiness.

“Ohmygod, Lev. He is! I mean, he’s funny, engaging, and a great conversationalist. We talked, like, the entire date. He grew up in Colorado and came here for school.” She’s still smiling, like she just can’t seem to stop.

“Impressive,” I tell her. “What did you two do?”

Lindsey laughs hysterically. “That’s the best part! We went bowling!”

I throw my head back in a loud laugh. My sister has always said that bowling is a great date. She used to try to get the guys she dated to take her, but they never would. They always tried to wow her with big deals and fancy restaurants. Hot server Julian sounds like a winner.

“That’s amazing, Linds.”

“Right?” she agrees. “I know it was just a first date, Lev, but it was so good. I really like him.”

“What happened to not getting into anything because of Europe?” I tease, reminding myself that her trip is quickly coming up.

She sighs. “I know. But he’s so . . . ugh! He knows about my trip, and . . . we’ll see what happens.” She shrugs her shoulders and pushes out her bottom lip in a pout.

“My sister has it bad,” I tease again.

“Maybe,” Lindsey says, a smile spreading across her face. “And speaking of having it bad . . .” She trails off and lifts an eyebrow.