Page 110 of Sunset Catchers

Levi slips his hand into mine to guide me to his car, where he opens the passenger door, buckles me up and steals some more of my gloss before rounding the car and slipping into the driver’s seat.

He pushes the hem of my dress higher on my thigh, his warm hand molding my flesh to the exact shape of his palm. On the way, we stop at Levi’s favorite wooden booth on the side of the road, where he lets me pick a bouquet of homegrown, fresh flowers for his mom. I hold my favorite one for approval.

“I love it.” I beam and put the money in the box.

At Kit’s house, the driveway is filled up with cars, so we park on the street. Levi hurries to open my door and grabs the bouquet with one hand and mine with the other.

We pause when we’re standing in front of the bright yellow door.

“You ready?” He searches my face, and I know he finds nothing but slightly nervous giddiness.

“Yes. Let’s go in.”

Levi opens the door, then closes it behind us.

I let go of his hand.

“What..?”

His head pivots toward me; my head pivots toward him.

He blinks at me. I blink back at him.

This is a face-off of wills.

“I’m Kit’s designer,” I argue.

“You’re my date,” he counters.

We look at each other silently. I roll my lips together.

I thought he was bringing me here as a coworker to whom he extended the invitation out of politeness. That we’d be exchanging lingering stares from across the room. Not from, like, right next to each other.

We startle and break contact when we hear a clearing of throat. Sloane’s attention keeps swinging between the both of us.

“What’s with the weird vibe here?” she says, swirling a finger between Levi and I.

I hurry to make my argument first.

“I’m Kit’s designer,” I reiterate, raising one brow at Levi.

“I know,” Sloane says, confused.

“She’s my date,” Levi restates, both brows up.

“Oh,” Sloane huffs out in surprise. “I did see this coming, but still.”

Sloane ponders both of our statements, looking at us some more, then bobs her head once, before uttering her judgment.

“I’m sorry, Winnie, but you’re Levi’s date.” I’m scowling now. Levi clicks his tongue in victory.

“Why?” I ask Sloane, scrunching my noise.

“Everyone here will be able to see that my brother is smitten with you,” Sloane says, shrugging.

Okay, sweet but: “I’m Kit’s designer! I’m no office hoe.” Levi sighs, pinching his nose while his sister snorts.

“Trust me Win, you both working for Kit and being my brother’s date is the last thing that will shock people.”