Page 133 of Sunset Catchers

Again with the bodily insubordination.

“Hi, pretty…Junie? Is Winnie alright?”

I sprang from the couch, wide-eyed over what my best friend just did.

“Our girl is a mess over here,” she claims while eying me.

“What, why?” My heart jolts at the worry in Levi’s voice.

“I’ll let her explain.”

I shake my head frantically. Whisper shout my dismay. Junie levels me with a look. I take my phone from her, hiding the camera against my chest while making my way to my bedroom.

A peek in the mirror over my vanity tells me I appear as miserable as I feel. There isn’t much I can do on such short notice about my puffy, red face. I crawl into my bed, under my duvet, take a deep breath and I plaster on the biggest smile I can manage.

As soon as I see Levi looking stupidly good on my screen, I falter and the world gets blurry. I’m firing whoever is in charge of my tear duck, stat.

“Win, what’s wrong? What happened?”

I love him so much it hurts. In the best way possible.

“You happened! And now, I can’t seem to stop missing your stupidly perfect face.”

The right corner of his lip slide up. “Yeah?”

“Yes! Don’t be so smug about it!”

The left corner joins the left. “Sorry, can’t help it.”

“I’m pathetic. It’s been four days, for fuck’s sake. I’m an introvert! I love being alone!”

“I miss you too, pretty girl,” he says.

“No, you don’t. You must be glad your life is peaceful again,” I argue pettily.

He shakes his head. “Peace is overrated. By a fucking long shot.” I snort through my tears. “What do you have planned for the next few days?”

“I’m working on a few moodboards, but nothing too pressing.”

Levi bobs his head.

“My schedule is pretty lax too.”

Fifteen seconds later, a notification pops up on my screen.

It’s a plane ticket to Toronto.

“Stop listening through my door, Junie!” I yell at my best friend.

“You’re welcome, babe,” she yells back.

“What did she do?” Levi asks, frowning.

“How would you feel if I were to come to Toronto, like, tomorrow? I mean, I wouldn’t come for you. There’s this restaurant that’s supposed to have really good cakes that I’ve been meaning to try out.”

Levi’s whole face lights up my screen. My room. My whole world.

“Get your ass here, Win. And don’t even think about staying anywhere but at my place.”