I go still.
Iknowthem. Not personally. But I’ve seen the photos. In frames. In news articles. In the stupid, overachieving Google searches I made when Levi told me his family isfinancially ‘comfortable’.
Thomas and Odette Astor are standing at my bar.
And I suddenly can’t feel my hands.
“Hello,” I manage when they refuse to speak, trying my best to sound steady. “W-What can I get you?”
Odette’s gaze drags over the counter, then theglassware, then me. “Oh, I see you really do work here?” She says it like a punchline. Because of course, I fucking work here. “I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. Levi did say you were…crafty.”
There it is. Levi hasn’t told them about me at all. Yet here they are, having tracked me down.
Thomas gives a polite smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “We won’t keep you long. Perhaps you can… take a short break?”
“I—uh, I’m actually in the middle of closing—”
“Oh, I’m sure they can spare you for ten minutes,” Odette cuts in, a hundred-dollar bill suddenly in front of me. “You’re not indispensable here, are you?”
My throat tightens. “No, ma’am.”
“Good.” She doesn’t smile. Just nods toward one of the corner booths. “Let’s talk over there.”
I tell Marcus, the other bartender, that I’ll be back in five. He nods, distracted. I walk over, pulse thrumming like I’ve been caught doing something wrong.
Odette’s perfume reaches me before her words do. Expensive and cold. Thomas sits beside her, posture perfect, gaze fixed on me like he’s reading a report that’s already failed to impress him.
“So,” Odette begins, crossing one leg over the other. “Levi tells us you’re moving with him to Vancouver after graduation.”
Her tone is casual but it’s not a question. For a moment, I doubt myself. Did Levi actually tell his high-handed parents about me? He told me he was going to wait.
Now I understand why he hadn’t—even after almost two years together.
“Yes,” I say quietly. “We’re… planning to.”
She hums. “He mentioned the penthouse. Two months from now, yes?”
My heart drops. “Yes. It—the move is finalized. I’m just waiting for—”
“Mm.” Thomas finally speaks, his voice calm, even measured. “That property belongs to Astor Holdings, darling. I’m afraid that won’t be possible. For Levi, yes.You… not so much.”
I blink at his audacity. “I’m… I’m sorry?”
He leans forward slightly. “Levi’s future has been carefully structured since he was born. His living arrangements, his transition into the company—everything. It’s not personal, you understand?”
I stay silent, eyes darting between the two of them.
Odette tilts her head, eyes glinting. “Oh, but it is personal, isn’t it? You’re in love with him.”
I swallow hard debating whether I should even answer.
“Are you?” Thomas asks with an infuriating smirk on his face.
“I… yes, I am.”
“Then do what’s best for him,” she says softly. “Don’t stand in his way.”
“Listen, Mr. and Mrs. Astor.” Something inside me stutters. “This is… this is betw—”
