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“Not that I’m complaining,” I say, my arm around his shoulders while leading him to the office, “but, to what do I owe this visit?”
Levi grins. “I’ve finally got the money together to open another Emelia’s here in Lexington.” He laughs.
“Sooner rather than later, huh?”
“Hmm.” He sits back in the guest chair and rests an ankle on his knee while he debates how to say what he’s here for. I know him that well.
“Go in with me.”
I blink a few times, thinking I’ve misheard and Levi laughs. “Never thought I’d see the day you’re left speechless.”
Shaking my head, I reply, “We talked about this years ago.”
Levi nods. “When your parents took you, Sofia and Jaxon, on holiday to Vermont.”
I frown. “You wouldn’t stop looking at Sofia as I recall.”
“What can I say she was hot. Still is.”
My frown deepens and he laughs. “Sofia is like a sister to me, get your head out of your ass.”
“Leave my sister out of this and you might have a deal.” I sit forward, resting my hands on the desk. “Do you think this could work between us?”
“I don’t see why not. It’s what we used to talk about as teenagers. As adults, you’ve been managing Kenza for years. I’ve been managing Emelia’s in Essex alongside my sister for three years. I’ve talked to Emma about this and she’s more than happy to stay in Essex. Mom and Dad are onboard with the plan. Emma is going to be involved at some point.”
“You have it all planned.”
“I want you to come and see the building with me tomorrow.” He stretches in the chair. “I’ll email you the plans and proposal. The building is run down and I own it.” He grins. “I wasn’t letting a bargain get away from me. It’s out past the Kentucky Horse Park in a small town, Blossom Creek. Just remember, it needs a lot of work. It’s more the location that I want you to see. The view behind is worth everything. It’s amazing, Ryan.”
“I believe you.” I have paperwork on my desk and bills needing paying, but I’m excited to see what Levi has planned. “Send me that email in the next hour and I’ll read it tonight.”
“Will do.” He stands and glances toward the door. “I think I might hang around for a while. Lots of pretty ladies out there.”
Rolling my eyes, I add, “Email me before leaving this office. Otherwise, you’ll get carried away and forget.”
A few seconds after punching buttons on his phone, he slips it into his back pocket. “Done.” He leaves the office door open and shouts over his shoulder, “I’m hoping the redhead is still out there.”
I scramble from behind the desk and jog to catch up to him, which I do, and steer him over to the bar. “Let me get you a drink on the house.”
“I thought you had work to do?” His head turns as he looks around the club. “She’s gone.”
My head snaps to the corner where Gretchen has been partly hidden, and to my dismay, she has gone. When I look at Levi, his eyes are filled with humor. “I watched you watching her when I arrived. I couldn’t resist teasing you. She watched you too if yo
u want to know.”
“Asshole,” I mumble, secretly excited to hear she had her eyes on me.
Levi laughs, tips his beer toward me in a salute.
I leave him to it.
A smile on my lips as my cousin disappears through the crowd of people on the dance floor. It soon slips when I realize Gretchen has left. It doesn’t stop me from slowly searching over the sweaty bodies for her. I do see Levi dancing with a couple of girls. They’re regular and always up for a good time. Unfortunately, I have firsthand knowledge of that.
Wincing, I continue looking but don’t see Gretchen anywhere.
Has she left?
Before I even realize what I’m doing, the cold evening air hits me in the face. I’m standing on the sidewalk watching cabs pull away from the club. I don’t see her. Then again, the pavement is bustling with people waiting to get inside the club. Even though she has a head of red hair, her petite frame keeps her hidden.
