Tony finally looked over at me. “Tried waking you a few times. You were dead to the world.”
“Sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean to—I must’ve?—”
Levi pushed himself to his feet. “Come on.” He gestured his head toward the hallway.
We stepped into the quieter space just outside the living room.
“You okay?” he asked. “We can take a rain check if you want to sleep more.”
“No,” I said immediately. “No, I can still do dinner. If you’re still up for it.”
Right on cue, my stomach growled.
Levi laughed softly. “Alright. I’ll wait while you get ready.”
I nodded and hurried back upstairs.
The cold shower helped wake me up, and I changed into clean clothes. I splashed water on my face one last time before heading back down.
When I reentered the living room, Levi had taken over one of the controllers. He was leaning forward, nudging Griffin with his shoulder.
“You’ve got to hit the boost right out of the turn,” he said. “See?”
On screen, his kart shot forward, overtaking two others before crossing the finish line.
A victory jingle chimed.
Levi grinned. “Yes!”
Nico groaned dramatically. “I demand a rematch.”
Levi set the controller down and stood as I approached. “Ready?” he asked. “What are you in the mood for?”
“I… uh,” I hesitated. “I don’t really know what’s around here yet.” I scratched the back of my neck. “Though… I liked that Korean takeout place Nico ordered from the other night.”
My stomach growled again, loudly enough that Tony snorted.
My gaze drifted to the spread of food still on the table. Levi followed my line of sight, then looked back at me, one brow raised, as if to sayreally?
I tried for an apologetic expression.
From the couch, Nico called out without turning around, “Just let the man eat. Can’t you see he’s starving? And you—” he pointed vaguely at Levi— “when have you ever denied free food?”
Levi sighed, but there was a hint of amusement in it. He went to the kitchen and came back with two plates, then immediately started scooping food onto them. He piled rice onto one side, added noodles, then paused.
“Spicy okay?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
He added a few pieces of fried chicken, then glanced back. “You like this?”
I wasn’t sure what it was but I just nodded.
He kept building the plates until they looked almost too full. “Grab a couple beers?”
“Oh. Yeah.” I moved to the fridge, still a little confused. I grabbed two cans and followed him to the front door.
The porch light flicked on automatically as we stepped outside. Levi set both plates on the small table, then adjusted one of the seat cushions, fluffing it slightly before patting the spot beside him for me to sit.
