I can’t trust a guy like him. I need to protect myself.
I am your refuge and strength.
I alone am your rock and your salvation.
I stop in the grass, lost in thought, until Sophie tugs my arm. She’s already used to this.
CHAPTER FIVE
There’s Levi again,casually leaning near the auditorium doors before chapel. His foot is propped behind him like the other night, this time on the red brick wall, in his obnoxious state of effortless style and confidence. I bet his senior portraits took two seconds. Swap the Tic Tacs for cologne, and boom—fragrance ad. Open, shut.
When he spots me, he brightens, but his thumb on the Tic Tac box moves rapidly. “Hey, Kit.”
Forget the moody ad. That smile will be my undoing.
“James Dean wants his pose back,” I blurt, forging ahead. Did I really just tease him again?
Before I reach the doors, he slides from his post and sneaks in a question, voice tight. “Coffee? After chapel?”
My feet stop defiantly. I compulsively gawk at him, like a zebra who stops to chat with Scar. His reputation as a confirmed bachelor contradicts that invitation. Is my information wrong? Ishe making an exception? I compose myself and step aside to let the other students pass through the doors. He isn’t doing this in front of an audience. No warrior stance, only hesitation. Nothing predatory, nothing I know to look for. Still, one of my hands wrings the other and a truckful of danger signs—thinkBruce Almighty—bounces around in my mind.
Trust in me with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge me
and I will make your paths straight.
Not that verse again. I have plenty of ideas about how to make my paths straight, and none of them include that guy.
I sigh.
Okay … I hear you. But why is this verse only popping to mind around him?
“In need of more advice?” I reply to Levi. It’s not a yes. I can’t wrap my head around a yes.
He laughs, showing off his offensively handsome eye creases. “I could always use some good advice.”
“Yo Jeeves,” someone calls out.
“What’s up, buddy. See you in there.”
I feel a stab at my lip when I bite it too hard.
“I just want to get to know you better. Maybe hear some more one-liners.” He looks innocent, hopeful.
No. Absolutely not. But the trust verse … Is that related here?
Am I supposed to say yes? This seems crazy.
“Okay,” I manage.
He opens the door quickly, ushering me through before I change my mind. “Common Grounds, here on campus. See you soon.”
Help me. This doesn’t feel like keeping myself safe.
After chapel, my hands twist in knots in the Common Grounds line as I debate—stay or bolt? I cannot be a Bella Swan type who falls for the vampire that finds her scent delicious. For the love. There has to be a Team Jacob way out of this, right? Hisfriend Austin seems sweet. I could nip this in the bud? I rub my temples. No. Zero boys. And I’m certainly not about to hit on some guy so I won’t accidentally date his friend.
