20

The morning after the dinner was full of confusion and frustration. I spent the day at a bustling farmer's market, wandering among stalls and trying to distract myself from the chaos of the previous night. The vibrant colors and fresh produce did little to lift the cloud of confusion that loomed over me.

By mid-afternoon, I was done with browsing. I needed a break from the sensory overload and a dose of sanity. I decided to call Spencer, hoping that a conversation with her could offer some much-needed clarity. We agreed to meet at a quaint bookstore café nearby, a place known for its cozy ambiance and great coffee.

When I arrived, the café was a haven of warmth and calm. Spencer was already there, seated at a table nestled between bookshelves, flipping through a dog-eared novel. She looked up with a bright smile as I approached.

"Hey, Cora! You look like you've been through a whirlwind. How's the market treating you?" she asked, marking her place in the book and setting it aside.

I slid into the chair opposite her, feeling the tension in my shoulders begin to ease. "I'm still processing last night, to be honest. The market didn't do much to clear my head."

Spencer's expression shifted to one of concern. "Oh, right. Last night was... a lot. You want to talk about it?"

I nodded, rubbing my temples as I tried to collect my thoughts. "Levi's coworker Mia was all over him. It was pretty clear she was interested, and it made me feel really uncomfortable."

Spencer's eyes widened slightly, but she remained calm. "I saw that too. It was hard to ignore how much she was clinging to him. What did you think was going on?"

"I thought Levi was just being friendly, but it seemed like he was encouraging it. He was so laid-back about it all, like he didn't notice—or maybe didn't care—that it was bothering me," I explained, feeling the frustration bubbling up again.

Spencer took a sip of her coffee, looking thoughtful. "I noticed that too. It was a bit much, and I could tell you were uncomfortable. Did you get a chance to talk to Levi about it afterwards?"

I shook my head. "No, not really. By the time we left, I was so frustrated I couldn't think straight. And Levi was so wrapped up in talking to Mia that it felt like he didn't even realize I needed to talk to him."

Spencer reached out, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "You need to have a conversation with him, Cora. It's important to let him know how you felt. Otherwise, things are just going to fester."

"I know you're right," I said, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. "But I'm worried about coming off as jealous or insecure. I don't want to make things worse."

Spencer's smile was warm and encouraging. "Being honest about your feelings isn't being jealous. It's being real. If Levi truly cares about you, he'll understand where you're coming from and want to address it."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Okay, I'll talk to him. I just hope it goes well."

Spencer nodded. "It will. And remember, you've got my support no matter what. Sometimes these conversations are tough, but they're necessary."

We spent the rest of our coffee date discussing lighter topics, but the weight of the conversation I needed to have with Levi lingered in my mind. As I left the café, I felt a renewed sense of determination.

Later that evening, I stood outside Levi's apartment building, my heart racing. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and pressed the buzzer.

The door to Levi's apartment building buzzed, and I walked inside with a determined stride, though my nerves were on edge. I had finally worked up the courage to address the issues from the night before. I took a deep breath and knocked on his apartment door.

"Hey, Cora!" Levi's voice sounded cheerful from the other side. "Come on in. I was just about to make some coffee. Want some?"

The door opened, and Levi greeted me with a warm, welcoming smile. As I stepped inside, I heard a familiar voice from within the apartment.

"Levi, I was thinking that—"

Mia appeared in the entryway, her eyes meeting mine with a hint of surprise. She was casually dressed, and her hand rested lightly on Levi's shoulder, a gesture that felt too intimate given the situation.

Levi's smile faltered as he looked between us, confusion clouding his expression. "Oh, hey, Cora. I didn't realize you'd be coming by. Mia was just—"

I didn't wait for him to finish. The unexpected sight of Mia standing so close to Levi, especially after the way she'd behaved at dinner, made my stomach churn. My heart raced, and I felt a wave of frustration and embarrassment wash over me.

"I didn't realize you had company," I said, forcing a tight smile. "Actually, I just remembered I have something I need to take care of. Sorry for dropping by unexpectedly."

Before Levi could respond, I turned and walked briskly out of the apartment. I could sense Mia's gaze lingering on my retreating back, but I didn't stop. I felt a mixture of defeat and anxiety as I hurried down the stairs and out into the crisp evening air.

As I stepped outside, the cool breeze did little to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. I needed to process what I'd seen and figure out how to handle the situation. I wasn't sure when or how I'd be ready to talk to Levi again, but for now, I needed to take a step back and collect my thoughts.

I wandered to a nearby park, seeking solace on a bench beneath the dimming sky. The park was peaceful, but my mind was anything but. I knew that whatever conversation I had been planning would need to wait until I could approach it with a clearer head. For now, all I could do was sit and try to find some semblance of calm amidst the confusion.

Hi, I hope you felt the tension in this chapter as much as I did while writing it. What did you think of Cora's sudden exit? Was it the right move, or should she have stayed to confront Levi? I'd love to hear your thoughts and predictions for what comes next!

Feel free to share your comments below—I value your feedback and it really helps shape the story!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for what's next!

- sky