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As if reading my thoughts, she asked, “Deedee, have you seen Levi again?”

“What?” I pretended I didn’t know what she was talking about. I had this weird urge to keep him to myself for once. But that was ridiculous. Why did I care if they saw each other again?

“I’ve been thinking about him.” Yeah, well, that made two of us. He had a way of taking over my thoughts. “I often wonder what my life would be like now if I’d accepted his proposal.”

I grit my teeth from coming back with a snarky remark. She had, after all, been the one to cheat on him. And with Carlton, no less.

“You would have hated being an airman’s wife,” I said simply, walking outside and searching the parking lot for Sabrina.

“I don’t know. It’s an adventure, moving around like that. It wouldn’t be so bad.” Now she sounded like she was trying to convince herself. “Did you say he’s seeing someone?”

Unbelievable. “No, I didn’t ask him.”

“So you have seen him again?”

“No,” I lied. “I’ve been busy.” He was no longer hers, and I wanted to keep today and all the confusing feelings I’d had to myself until I could make sense of them.

“Hmmm,” Ashleigh hummed. I remembered how Levi had told me I was a terrible liar. Thankfully, I spotted Sabrina in Pete’s car and waved at her frantically. “Look, I gotta go. I’ll give you a call tomorrow, okay? Hang in there!”

“You better call me, Deedee!” Ashleigh warned before saying goodbye.

“Was that the fake fiancé?” asked Sabrina as I slid into the car .

“My cousin.” I sighed, fighting with the seat belt.

“Not the man-stealer!” Sabrina shook her head and clucked her tongue as she angled the car back onto the road. “What’s her problem this time?”

“Her husband’s cheating on her.” I explained the story, relieved that for the moment I wouldn’t have to tell her about how I’d agreed to more dance lessons with Levi tomorrow.

“That girl better not show up on our doorstep! I know you’re not planning on having a fake fiancé and a man-stealing cousin on your hands at the same time.” She looked hard at me. “Right?”

“Right,” I said meekly.

“Did you get your invitation?”

I sighed. “No, it was awkward. I’m not sure how to go about it.”

Sabrina shook her head. “Just ask the woman. No beating around the bush, D.”

“I’m going back tomorrow,” I admitted sheepishly, pretending to dig around in my purse so I wouldn’t have to see Sabrina’s disapproving expression. “I know what you’re going to say, but it’s okay. I can handle being around Levi one more time.”

Her mouth twisted. “One more time? You sure you’re not dragging this out on purpose?”

“No! I swear.” I did not want to feel his arms around me again. I didn’t really. “Tomorrow, I’ll tell him goodbye for good.”

Chapter 12

Levi

“That’s crazy, man.” Gonzo panted as we jogged up the last bend up the steep hill. “You’re giving dance lessons to old ladies now?”

“They’re not old. They’re experienced.” I’d finished telling him about my plans for the afternoon. I hadn’t mentioned the teenage girls though; he’d never let me live that down. I glanced at my watch. We were making good time, better than my average. For some reason I felt like I had more spring in my step. I didn’t want to analyze it too much, but I was pretty sure it had something to do with knowing I was going to be dancing with Indy in a few hours.

Gonzo and I had initially set out to talk about my upcoming meeting with our commanding officer. I needed his advice on what to say because everything about that mission was still a blur in my head. I remembered spotting the Russian jet, hitting the throttle, chasing him over the mountains. I don’t know why I’d engaged, other than wanting to challenge the cocky bastard and tempt fate.

Gonzo had been there though, and I hoped he’d be able to help me make sense of it. But we were halfway through our run, and I still hadn’t broached the subject. Instead, and again for some reason I couldn’t understand, I’d told him about the situation with Indy.

“This girl, your ‘fiancée,’ she’s the same one that Fiero was hooking up with?”