Page 120 of Sunset Catchers

“I’m sorry,” I say to Ben. “How do you feel?”

“Personally victimized.”

“I’ll give you the call line number for the people who’ve been personally victimized by Junie. Stay strong; You are not alone in this. ” Ben chuckles. “Come on. I’ll buy you a drink to make up for my best friend.”

“There seems to be a lot to unpack here,” he says. “And I own the place. So you can’t buy me a drink.” That has me perking up.

“Oh, then, you’re buying me a drink.” I turn to Levi. “Anything else for you, big stud?” He shakes his head. I wink at him before following Ben toward the bar.

Sunset Hour

Levi

“It’s time to have a little chat,” Junie says.

“Sure. Let’s talk.”

“Do you love my best friend?”

I wince.

“If I do love her, I would rather tell her first.”

She nods, impressed by my answer. It’s written all over her face, how much Winnie means to her. I hope it’s written all over mine, how much Win means to me.

“Don’t let her push you away because she will try. She wants to believe she’s wanted, but it’s hard.”

“Yeah,” I say softly. “I’ve noticed.”

“Winnie has told you some stuff about her mother, right?” Junie inquires. I dip my chin. “It’s worse than you think how deep those wounds are. She will never get over being unwanted by her own mom. She wants to be loved, like everyone on this planet. But she needs to feel wanted. To know that she’s filling up a hole that’s shaped exactly like her, because then, she’ll allow herself to think that she’s irreplaceable. She thought she had that with her mother, but then Vivian had another daughter. That fucked my girl up, really bad.”

I’m anxious, suddenly, over not having Winnie at my side. Even from across the room, my eyes find her straightaway.

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

Every time we watch the sunset together, I have a hard time not just sit there and stare at her. I mean, look at her. Fucking look at her! Why would I care about looking up at the sky when she’s right there? She is the most breath-stealing sight, always.

Tonight, her warm, brown skin seems to glow under the lights. She tries to tuck a lock of hair behind her ears; it never does what it’s told. Her cheeks are pink with blush. They perk up while she laughs at something Ben says. Even through all the noise, the sound reaches straight for me. I’d recognize her laugh anywhere.

“I guess you just answered my first question,” Junie mutters. My attention snaps back over to her. “So tell me, Levi, is there a Winnie-shaped hole in your life?” she asks.

I think about it. Really, truly think about it. I don’t want to just say something to reassure Junie without fully meaning it. I owe the universe the decency to be sure that when I claim this precious gem for myself, I won’t let it get dusty on a shelf.

“Of course there is,” I tell Junie. I think she’s the only other person who understands how it’s impossible for someone not to carve a whole shaped like this girl once you get to know her.

“You better love her right, Levi. You only get one chance.”

“I will.”

Levi shakes his head at the cocktails I’m holding. I shrug, then put both glasses on the table.

“The boss said I had to try both.” Then, I say to Junie, “Ben is waiting for you, behind the bar. I wasn’t sure what you’d want to drink.” Junie nods and gets up from her seat, slapping my ass when she slips by me.

As I’m passing by Levi to go to my seat, he grabs me and plops me right down on his lap. Instantly, I hook an arm around his neck while he slings both of his around my waist.

“Hey.”

“Hi.”