Katie
“I need you to leave, Levi.” In my head, I added, I release you as my hero. Those were words I’d say to my cousin, Gee, as a child while we played knight and princess. Dragon slayer and the queen. Just like the fairy tales in my thoughts, my female lead rescued herself and released any obligation from the prince.
Levi stared back at me, his deep chocolate eyes melting in a manner I’d never seen before, shuttering to steely black. Pulling back his head before he connected with mine, he bowed to me, dipping his chin and struggling to spin with his crutches. He hobbled into the hall and Kentucky closed the door on his back. I fell to my knees, no longer able to hold myself steady as I pretended to do while he stood before me. My romantic nature wanted to skip a beat at the fact Levi came to me. My heart reminded me I’d been his second choice.
I had no answer for Alicia or why Levi didn’t ask me to be part of his life with AJ while he took the job. It was selfish to think I would be the one he asked for help. It was selfish of him not to think of me.
Kentucky’s arms enveloped me, and I leaned into a girl I hardly knew, letting her comfort me in my grief at losing my heart after years of keeping it tucked away, waiting for the hero I’d dreamed up Levi Walker to be.
* * *
I took the risk and returned to class, knowing we only had two weeks before our project was due. Levi and I were essentially finished, and any final touches we could complete in the shared file. I’d worked myself into anxiety over Levi’s presence and then felt the adrenaline crash when he wasn’t in attendance. I couldn’t recall a single detail of my class.
When I returned home, a winter bouquet of flowers awaited me, and tears sprang at the gesture.
“Congratulations…” the card read. My brows pinched at the uncanny statement. Penelope walked in moments later and passed me a letter. This one was fully addressed in my name from Tribune Publishing.
Congratulations. Your story, titled Silent Warrior, has been selected as a finalist in the Perseverance Project. We cordially invite you to attend our awards dinner and ceremony on December 6th.
The remainder of the letter was a blur as my liquid-filled eyes shifted from sorrow to joy.
“I’ve been selected,” I blurted, holding out the letter for Penelope to read. I reached for a flower within the bouquet and inhaled deeply. The arrangement of red, white, and green held so many potential symbols for Levi and me. But I ignored the thought and had a new one.
“I wonder how he knew,” I asked the flowers, though the question was directed at my roommate.
“Who knew what?” she teased.
“Levi. The flowers are from him and the card says congratulations. How did he know?” I looked at my roommate whose eyes scanned the invitation once again.
“It lists all the recipients selected.” She turned the letter to face me. Placed under the information for the location of the dinner and time of the awards ceremony, read a variety of categories with a list of candidates.
“In the category of fantasy fiction, Katie Carter.” I read aloud, continuing to scan. “In the category of personal editorial, Levi Walker.”
The announcement for the Perseverance Project was postmarked before Thanksgiving, but somehow it had gotten lost in our mailbox. With the history project, and Levi, my head in the clouds hadn’t brought me to earth enough to collect the mail. Other than the mistaken romantic letters, most of the envelopes I received included bills. So, I was surprised to read the dinner was for the upcoming Saturday. I was too late to respond with a plus-one, not that I had someone to invite to the dinner, anyway. The only person I’d want to share the moment with me was already going, but anxiety riddled me that Levi might attend with someone other than me.
* * *
Levi didn’t attend class all week, and I’d given up hope of ever seeing him again until the week reached Saturday. I couldn’t imagine he’d pass on the possibility of winning, yet with the acceptance of his dream job, I also didn’t think some writing contest would matter to him. I’d convinced myself he would not be present. To my surprise, the first person I saw was my boss from Vintage Vines.
“Sidonia, what are you doing here?” I giggled with guilt over wearing the amazing dress she’d given me for a second time. However, I had nothing else elegant enough for the Harold Washington Library Winter Garden setting. The formal, top floor of the historical library housed a glass ceiling, providing the dark, winter sky as the backdrop to a room already lit with miniature twinkling lights. The presentation was stunning, and something straight out of a fairy tale.
“Well, one needs to support the arts,” she teased, hooking her arm with mine. “Actually, I’m here with my dad. He makes me attend this program every year.” She escorted me to a large man, solid in stature and commanding in presence. His face was stern as he discussed something political until he noticed us waiting, and then it brightened as he looked upon his daughter.
“Preston Thomas, may I present one of my most loyal workers, and a finalist in tonight’s list of honorees, Katie Carter.” I stared at Sidonia briefly before extending my hand, which was suddenly engulfed in a warm paw of a palm.
“It’s a pleasure to meet someone devoted to my daughter’s little project.” Despite the tease, there was a hint of disapproval. Sidonia narrowed her eyes.
“Daddy, you promised,” she hissed, lowering her head and looking from left to right. He raised a hand in surrender and tilted his head in apology.
“That I did.” His voice boomed, and I took a second glance at a man who didn’t resemble his daughter’s exotic appearance in any manner. Unless Sidonia was a replica of her mother, I’d venture to guess Sidonia was adopted. However, she hardly spoke of her family, simply mentioning she grew up in Chicago and had lived here all her life.
Her arm returned to mine and she spun me for the bar.
“Did I happen to notice that the name Levi Walker was also on the list of finalists?” Her eyes shifted sideways to me.
“You did, and might I add, I’m shocked you didn’t mention you knew of this project or this dinner,” I added, admonishing her teasingly.
“It’s just like I never knew you wanted to be a writer.” She paused as we reached the line of waiting guests for the bar. Turning to me, she spoke as her brow pinched.
“You’re very talented, Katie. Quite the imagination for fantasy. Why didn’t you tell me before?” Shrugging a shoulder, I didn’t have an answer.
“I guess it isn’t something you bring up between pass the box-cutter and ringing up customers,” I joked.
“I wish I’d known earlier.” Her voice softened as we took another step toward the bar. After ordering a glass of wine for each of us, we turned back to the glowing ballroom. Instantly, my eyes landed on a handsome man in a tuxedo.
“Levi,” I sighed, as he stood less than a foot away from me. He leaned in politely, circling my elbow and stepping forward to brush my cheek with his lips.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered as he lingered a moment. He stepped back just as swiftly and my tongue froze. We stared at one another.
“Hello. I’m Sidonia Thomas,” my boss interjected, extending her hand to Levi.
“Levi Walker,” he offered, shaking hers.
“I’ve heard so much about you.” Sidonia smiled.
“All good I hope,” he teased. Sidonia narrowed her eyes and winked.
“Yet to be proven. If you’ll excuse me. Katie, come sit with me for dinner.” Sidonia sauntered away before I could reply, leaving Levi and me awkwardly alone. After a moment of silence, I spoke.
“How’s AJ?”
“He misses you.” Levi’s eyes softened, but the clenched jaw and too-much-white-teeth smile contradicted his words. “I do, too.”
“I don’t think you’re allowed to,” I muttered, looking down at my feet. Seeing him was worse than I’d thought. My heart raced, but a cold sweat covered me. I couldn’t be near him without missing him triple-fold and I scolded myself for wanting a taken man.
“Can I speak with you a moment?” He tipped his head to an alcove near a set of French doors. While my head screamed don’t follow, my heart said just listen. I’d always been good at listening. I nodded and followed his lead.
“I want to explain…” My hand rose defensively.
“You don’t owe me—”
“Yes, I do.” He reached forward and linked his fingers with mine, stepping too close to me. The scent of him, clean and manly overwhelmed me. Being alone with him was a mistake.
“Did you bring Alicia?” I snapped. My intention was to hurt him because my heart ached. I angled my head to scan the ballroom for a woman I didn’t wish to see.
“There is no Alicia.” My head spun back to him. “I made a mistake. We were never getting back together, but I thought I should try once more to see if she wanted to be a mother. If I took the job, I felt I owed her the opportunity to be with her son. I was wrong. Very wrong.”
My heart pinched when I thought of AJ. Too young to recognize the rejection, but he’d grow into a son who would learn he wasn’t wanted by his own mother. I would always know the feeling.
“I’m so sorry. What will you do?” I don’t know why I asked. His answer didn’t belong to me, and the hair on the back of my neck rose with hope and hostility. I wanted him to ask me to be with him, take care of AJ, but I didn’t want to be his second choice.
“I didn’t take the job.” My shoulders fell. I had to admit I was sorry to see his dream disappear. I knew that feeling, too.
“I’m so sorry. I guess this award ceremony becomes all the more important to you now.” He still had the possibility of a publishing contract. Who knew? He could change it into a photojournalist book of his own, if he wished. He was in the editorial category.
“That’s not why I’m here.” He scratched under his chin as his eyes narrowed on me. “I declined the candidacy.”
“But…”
“I don’t want to be a writer, Katie.” It was my turn for eyes to narrow, taking his meaning as an insult. That being a writer was unworthy as a career. My chest rose and fell, the irritation growing.
“Why are you here then?” I snapped, setting down my glass of wine on a nearby table, no longer thirsty.
“I came to support you.”