Page 118 of Sunset Catchers

“I’ve been told you’re very good at pumping” is the first thing Junie tells him.

He chuckles. “It’s nice to finally meet Win’s best friend.” One perfectly shaped brow rises on Junie’s face. I shrug.

We’ll be talking about my nickname later.

“Okay, well, shall we go?” I say. Levi nods and closes the door to his cottage, locking it. “I can drive!”

“No!” Junie and Levi both snicker at their timed rebuttals. I aim my scowl at both of them.

“You’re both being dramatic,” I mutter pettily.

Levi kisses the crown of my head. “I’ll drive,” he offers. “So you and Junie can have as many drinks as you want.” I bob my head, accepting this excuse as sufficient.

We get into Levi’s car for the ride to Sip&Chin.

Levi had warned me that Friday night is always a big hit at his best friend’s place of business when it becomes a wine and cocktail bar. So, I’m not surprised to see that the place is packed. I’m very thankful for the table that’s been reserved for us. We’ve barely sat down when a server appears to take our order.

A few minutes later, Ben joins us. He’d scheduled one extra employee to come in tonight, to be able to spend some time with us.

“Guys, hi. Happy you could make it,” he says when he gets to our table, three drinks and a beer in tow.

“Hi! Thanks for keeping this table for us.” Ben dismisses me with one hand. I’m about to introduce him to Junie, but then I’m interrupted by a greater force: the universe.

Ben takes one look at Junie, moves on then does a double take. Probably feeling Ben’s intense gazing, Junie looks up from her phone. Immediately, she accesses him.

Levi catches my eye; his brows rise in silent questioning. I shake my head and my foot bumps his under the table.

Bump bump. Watch and listen.

Bump bump. Watching and listening.

Junie and Ben are caught in a force field.

“Name?” Junie asks Ben first.

“Benny,” he says.

“Age?” she surges on.

My eyes move to Ben.

“Thirty-one.”

My eyes flit back toward Junie.

“Thoughts on marriage?” she asks next.

I make eye contact with Levi for half a second before both our gazes land on Ben.

“I’d love to do that, someday.”

My eyes are back on Junie; hers are slightly sparkling.

“Kids?”

“I want them. A couple, maybe two or three.” Junie grins brightly.

I think I’m…scared? Junie gives me The Look—I roll my eyes and switch places. Levi’s hand immediately finds my bare thigh when I drop into the chair beside him.