He confirms with a chuckle. “Cicadas. Texas is a weird place, but the view doesn’t get old.” He points to the cloudless sky.
I’m never out this late. Not anymore. I’d forgotten how beautiful the night sky can be, even here where the stars fight through the haze. My arm brushes something solid, and I instinctively yank back—just a gold wristwatch.
“It was my grandfather’s.” Levi holds it up. Embedded diamonds mark the hours on its green face. “He left it to me when he died.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” I motion to his wrist. “I love it—it’s timeless. I’ve never seen diamonds on a man’s watch before.” My eyes linger too long. Why is someone with a watch worth more than a car hanging out with the Flooders? And why is he interested in me? My pulse quickens, lightheadedness creeping in. Was I right about him all along?
When I finally look up, he’s giving me some serious side-eye, his thumb drumming against his fingers. That’s a reaction. But he says nothing as we near my building.
“Thank you for inviting us,” I say, trying to ease the awkwardness. “And for the brownie. And your, um, beautiful note.”
He nods once, as fancy and guarded as James Bond. Is that nod an East Coast thing or a Levi thing? What does it mean?
“Good night.”
“Good night, Kit.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sophie and Miamake friends wherever they go. When some Flooders invite us back to Albert Hall, they head over while I finish up my homework. Ayumi passes, again. By the time I’m done, the games are probably wrapping up, but I make my way to the lobby as a gesture of friendliness.
Mia eggs someone on, pointing at his hand of cards. Austin and Sophie laugh at the end of the table. Austin sends me a head-tilt and fishes his phone out of his pocket. The group finishes whatever card game they’re playing, and I carry over a chair to observe. A few minutes later, Levi saunters out of the stairwell but stops short when he spots me. His eyes narrow. He must be sick of girls following him around. I squirm in my seat, hide my hands beneath my legs.
No—I was invited here. By name. I straighten and frown from afar.You don’t own the lobby, your highness.
From across the room, he swivels his head toward Austin. They share a silent mini conversation, like Shawn and Gus would onPsych. Levi lets out a sigh and walks over. That muted rattle follows him everywhere.
I should stay, but the implication that I don’t belong here just makes me long for my math books. I return my chair. “See you guys later.”
“Time for a walk?” Levi says to the group, but his heavy hazel gaze doesn’t drift an inch from mine.
My friends drag me along as everyone follows him outside. How did he do that?
Smug, he lets the others pass so he can walk with me at the back of the group.
I shake my head at him.
“Nice to see you again,” he says.
I send him a look. “Is it?”
His lips quirk. “How’d you hold up against Samwise? He’s notoriously hard to beat.”
“I was too late to play, but Mia wiped the floor with everyone.”
“Impressive.”
“Always. So, why’d you get weird?” My filter malfunctions around this guy, and the condition is not improving with familiarity.
His slow pace gives us a buffer from the others. He faces forward and takes a breath. “People are too interested in the money I grew up with.”
Oh. I’d assumed the trust fund everyone knows he has would be something he’s proud of. “It’s odd that everyone seems to want all of that.”
He eyes me skeptically.
“I just mean, what a burden to try to spend all that money wisely. I wouldn’t want to have to answer to God for that responsibility.” I wince. Too much.
His countenance has changed in an instant. “Very wise. Money is a mark against me?” he teases.
