Page 107 of Level Up for Love

Chapter

Thirty

Wesley and I sit on the deck and watch Arthur’s SUV crunch its way down the gravel driveway. Shay had insisted on breakfast at the diner in town—something about a tradition—and we’d encouraged them to leave. I’d claimed a stomachache, and Wesley told them he’d keep me company.

And honestly, that’s all I really wanted.

We haven’t yet talked about last night or what it might have meant. But this morning, the look he gave me had been so extraordinarily tender, and I descended the stairway at his side, unconcerned with the implications given that his room is a full floor away from mine.

I’ll do anything to stay in this perfect moment for as long as I can.

My shoulder is pressed against his as we huddle together on the porch swing, steaming mugs of coffee warming our hands while we peer out at the sky. It’s a pale shade of blue. The crisp air surrounding us feels especially still. It’s the kind of sky that warns of snow.

“I got an interesting email this morning,” Wesley says.

I feel a twist of annoyed fondness in my chest. He’s always daring me to bite. And, as always, I do. “Yeah?”

“From Nali.”

He looks at me expectantly.

“What?”

“She told me she sent it to you, too. Did you see it?”

I vaguely remember seeing her name on my phone’s notification screen when I woke up and checked the time. But then I’d set it aside and curled back into Wesley’s chest. I feel a prick of unease at the base of my skull. I remember Nali telling me to look out for something from her.

But why is it something she shared with Wesley, too?

“I haven’t opened it yet; what was it about?”

Wesley’s finger strokes idly at the inside of my wrist. “Actually—why don’t you read it later, and we can talk about it on the way home?” When he looks up at me, his smile seems a little forced. “I don’t want to ruin the vacation vibes with work stuff.”

Work stuff.

I’m immediately on edge.

My laugh is slightly too loud; Wesley’s eyelid twitches at the sound. “Well, now I’m curious,” I insist. “Just tell me.”

His finger taps at the base of my palm. He takes a breath. “Apparently, her boss at their studio is sick of working with their publisher and told Nali he’s quitting to build something of his own. He promised to bring her along with him and asked if she knew anyone who might be interested in helping them launch a new studio. Anyone she’s worked with before, or who has promising game ideas.”

I break eye contact and pick at my fingernail. It’s fine, I tell myself. This is what I’ve been preparing for. This is why we originally agreed not to think further than the competition.

This is what he’s worked for—what he wants.

I’d just thought that maybe last night had changed things for him. For us.

“Where?” I ask.

“Near Seattle, I think.”

The air leaves my lungs. “So you’re going.” It’s not even a question. This was the whole reason he entered NEWT, after all. I try to hold my mask together, even though it feels like everything’s beginning to crumble around me again. Things had gotten better. I’d found a new group and new friends. But without Wesley—

I should never have let things get this far with him. Now it’s complicated, messy. Just like last time.

But Wesley laughs like I’ve made a joke, until he sees something in my expression that makes his eyebrows slant together. “I mean, I don’t know. I’m thinking about it. But did you hear me? She invited you, too.”

I scoff. “C’mon, Wes. Nali’s my friend, she’s being polite; she sends me shit like this every blue moon. I’ve never worked in the industry. They wouldn’t know what to do with me.”