Chapter Nine
Levi and I sat drinking coffee in the poorly lit cafeteria. He didn’t push me with questions about why I left him hanging for coffee the first time; instead, we asked each other mindless questions. It was fun and made me feel like a kid again.
“Favorite color?” he asked, sipping on his coffee.
“Green,” I said, with a smile. “It reminds me of everything. The grass. Life.” Levi blinked excessively. “What? Too much, right? I have a tendency to be a bit too dramatic,” I confessed.
“No. That’s my favorite too. Seems we have a bit in common.” He looked up at the ceiling and smiled. “I’ve got a good one. Stars Wars or Star Trek?”
“Star Wars all the way. I used to dress like Princess Leia when I was younger.” I tapped my fingers on the table.
“You’re up. I’ve asked the past couple.”
“Well, obviously you like coffee.” I held up my cup in celebration.
“Erh.” He averted his eyes. “I have a confession.”
I gasped and brought my hand to my heart. “Don’t say it. Don’t you dare.”
“I hate coffee. I drink tea.” He hung his head in shame.
I placed my coffee gently on the table. “That’s it. We can’t be friends.”
“I tried. I really did. You had me at Star Wars, but if coffee is the deciding factor, I can understand that.” He acted like he was getting ready to get up.
I looked over at Levi. I barely knew him, other than the few times we’d crossed paths and laughed together. But the questions, the conversation flowed effortlessly. I needed this. A friend other than Ava who I could just chat with. He brought me comfort and a sliver of happiness.
“So, my marriage is over. Parker’s been cheating on me for God knows how long.”
Levi gently put down his cup of tea, his eyes softening. “Damn, Raindrop, I’m sorry. I know what that’s like. Especially after you put so much into it.”
“Yeah.” I brushed away a tear that had fallen. “We’re still so connected. His sister is like my sister. I care. It sucks. I wish I could walk away from it all, but here I am taking care of his sister.” I threw up my hands. “Hell, I’m waiting to find out when he’ll be flying in on emergency leave so I can pick him up and carve the wound open that is my heart even more.”
Levi sat back in his chair, making himself more comfortable. Stretching out his legs in front of him, he played with his beard. “That says a lot about you, that you can’t just walk away. You guys were together since you were teenagers. It also says a lot about you as a person. You’re caring. Kind. Genuine.”
I scoffed. “I’m weak.”
“Why do you think that?” Levi raised an eyebrow.
“You want to know my first thought when he told me he found someone else?” Levi nodded. “What did she have that I didn’t? Why was he willing to put in the effort with someone new but not with me? I’m not enough. I never have been.”
Levi shot forward and took my hand in his. “Bullshit. I know enough about you from what I’ve seen that you’re all those things I mentioned and then some. You deserve happiness, and someday you’ll realize what a package you are.”
I slowly pulled my hand from his, relishing the feeling that lingered. It was comfort, reassurance, everything I needed.
“Thanks, Levi.” I dabbed my eyes with the napkin. “So those are my issues. I’m insecure and about to be divorced at twenty-six. Amazing, huh?”
Levi took a sip of his tea. “Here.” He pulled out his phone and slid it to me. “Put in your number.”
“What?” I looked at his phone like it was a dead mouse. Had I not scared him away with my self-pity?
“You need a friend. Someone to pull you off your ass and make you realize there is an entire life ahead of you worth living.” Funny, Parker had been that for me once.
I typed in my number. “You remind me of my best friend, Ava. She tells me to get off my ass all the time.”
“Good. I like her already.” The way he smiled made me uneasy. It brought about feelings that I hadn’t experienced in a while. Excitement. Endless possibilities.
I stretched and looked at the clock on my phone. “I’m sure your break is almost over, and I should be getting back to Emily so I can be there when she wakes up.”
“Right. Yeah.” Levi and I then stood awkwardly. I couldn’t explain it, that feeling when there’s just a connection with someone. That’s how it felt when he was around, like a low buzz was constantly in the air.
I gave him a sideways hug. “It was nice talking with you. Thank you for listening to me.”
“You too. Text you soon so we can get your ass off the couch.”
“Sounds good.” I walked away, not without glancing back and grinning as he tried to play it off that he wasn’t looking at my ass. I was in horrible sweatpants, but the fact that he still tried to look flattered me.
I knew I wasn’t ready for anything romantic with anyone, but Levi might just be good for my healing. Everyone needed good friends in their lives, and Levi was proving to be just what I needed.