Page 28 of Oblivious Roommate

So here we are, entering Rainbowology on a Wednesday afternoon, with a whole stack of posters printed at home.

Aaron waves at us from his usual table, but I offer him a tense smile because talking to him is the last thing I want at the moment. Quinta nods our way from behind the espresso machine and already gets to work, surely knowing our coffee orders by heart at this point. But as lovely and thoughtful as that is, only two people can agree to put up the flyers in the shop, and one of them smiles at us from behind the counter.

Levi intimidated me at first. Very tall and built like a lumberjack from Vermont, he would be a force to be reckoned with. It’s not hard to believe the stories of him picking up and throwing unruly customers out the door. His dense blond hair is tied into a bundle at the back of his head, and his beard, while tidy, makes him look more mature. Then again, he is almost fifteen years older than me.

As burly as Levi is though, he has a bright smile, likes to joke around, and is friends with everyone.

Cass waits until a customer in dire need of a panini gets it, but once Levi is free, he approaches. “Hey, Levi! You got a moment? I want to talk to you about these flyers I made, and your cafe is the best place I can think of for them to be seen.”

“Oh really, what’s the emergency?” Levi asks, and I can’t help but let my gaze linger on his thick forearms with colorful tattoos. At least he’s modest enough to wear a loose T-shirt.

“I’ve been kissed by a troll, and I need to find him,” Cass says and places the little poster on the counter before pushing a folded bill into the tip jar next to it.

Levi’s thick, pale brows rise as he picks it up. Moments later, he lets out a low snicker. “Slutting around with strangers again? Naughty.”

I’m just standing there at Cass’s side, but my face goes aflame, and suddenly my sneakers seem to be a very interesting color I must examine in detail. Is that who my Cass is?

Cass laughs. “I wish, but I only got a teaser kiss, and I need to find this guy. Unless of course a regular possibly mentioned to you that he dressed up as a troll for Halloween…”

Levi smirks and lifts his hands palms up. “I don’t kiss and tell.”

“That’s a relief,” Cass mumbles as Quinta places two coffees in front of us and whistles, pulling the poster out of her boss’s hand.

“Wowsie! Is this how desperate you’re getting? A troll? Is he a better kisser than Logan boy?”

She doesn’t have to say that she doesn’t particularly like him for it to be obvious, but Cass doesn’t react to the challenge. “Maybe I hope a BJ can turn him into a prince?”

She rolls her eyes with a big grin. “Okayy, cock talk. Imma show myself out.”

I snort, but my ears still burn. “A BJ didn’t change Logan,” I mumble before I manage to bite my tongue.

Levi won’t let it slide though. “Ooh, Matt’s learning around you, I see,” he says to Cass. “That’s definitely a lesson to learn for every young man. No amount of good sex can make up for a lousy personality. Unless it’s a one-night stand, of course.” He leans against the counter and winks at me. I’m left speechless.

What is happening? Is he flirting with me?

“I don’t need advice,” Cass says, offering Levi a stiff smile as he pays for our coffees. “Can you put those up?”

Levi snorts and flags down a server, who comes over to take the flyers. After giving her instructions, he leans over the counter, as if he wants to make a point about being taller than Cass. “There. Happy? Any other wishes, princess? What if I’m the troll?”

“No, and you’re not,” Cass says and hands me the paper cup.

Levi shrugs. “I’m just messing with you, but it looks like this is serious business. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

As we turn away, Aaron gestures at me with a question in his eyes, but I move my hand by my throat to signal that he should cut it out.

“Does he also not like Logan?” I ask innocently.

Cass takes a slurp of his caramel iced latte and meets my gaze with a neutral expression. “He’s protective since we hooked up once. I guess he just thinks we’re too different.”

I barely contain my voice in disbelief. “You hooked up with Levi?”

Cass glances back with a small smile. “I know he’s older. But also, kinda hot.”

I look back at Levi handing someone a bowl of salad. He’s wearing a black apron over his T-shirt, and I wonder as my gaze slides over his thick arms and to his beard. Do I think he’s hot?

Maybe.

He has cute freckles all over his big nose.