Page 61 of Sunset Catchers

“But?” My brows are raised, waiting.

“But, yeah, they don’t really scream Winnie. Not after seeing what you came up with for the cottages.”

“I know,” I whine. “There’s a neutral epidemic! It is very dire. Plus, the store where I work caters to a very specific clientele. I never really minded it, and I am proud of every project I put out while working there.”

“But?” Now his brows are raised, waiting.

“I was getting bored. I was ready to put more of my signature on my projects,” I explain. “So Kit’s email came in at the perfect time.”

I am so grateful for Petra and Maurice—they put every one of my projects on their websites, even the older, bolder ones. Kit found me this way after landing on our website to see if we had a certain wallpaper in stock.

“Although, it is way more nerve-racking now that the plans and moodboards I create are straight out of my brain. Kit didn’t really hint at what she wanted here. It’s like I’m undressing myself or something.” My leg brushes against Levi while I twitch in my chair. That small touch combined with my talking about undressing has me turning into a flustered teenager.

“I guess the situation that happened at the gas station right before your meeting with Kit didn’t help.” Levi winces at the memory, clearly still feeling bad about it.

“Don’t fret about it. I’m over it. Honestly, it was kind of funny.”

“Was it?”

“Yes. My best friend thought it was the most ridiculous meet-cute ever.”

“Meet cute?”

“It’s this thing in romance books when two people meet before they later get together. Like a villain’s origin story, but romantic.” Levi’s brows slip up in surprise. Why the hell did I just say that?

“Not that there’s anything romantic between us. It was just a throwaway comment. We’re not dating or anything. We’re coworkers. Friends. Buddies?”

He presses his lips together. I push a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, but it refuses to fucking stay where I want it too.

“Oh, would you look at the time!?” I say, while taping my naked wrist. “I should go back to my own cottage. Lots to do, you know.” I close my computer, rising from my chair so quickly, I almost send it toppling over behind me. Levi follows me out the door, onto the porch.

“Do you want to go eat some burgers for dinner? Then, we can maybe go watch the sunset at the beach,” Levi asks.

“Sure.”

“It’s a date.”

“Not a date,” I throw over my shoulder. He’s leaning against the railing, watching me walk away.

“Isn’t that what comes after a meet-cute?”

I ignore him. “Pick me up at five?”

Translation: stop your car in front of my cottage so I can hop in. A thing we’ve been doing every time we go anywhere together.

“Pick you up, huh? That is something a guy going on a date would do.”

“You wish you were lucky enough to bring me on a real date,” I replied standing on my own porch. I throw in a cocky smirk, refusing to let him fluster me this much over nothing. My ears are on literal fire. He offers me a strange glance. “See you later, big stud.”

I walk inside my cottage.

Pfff. Could you imagine Levi and me on a real date?

I gulp. Because, yes. Yes, I can.

Sunset Hour

“What’s your dating history?”