34

I knew going out tonight again wasn't the best idea especially after last night events, but Spencer was determined. "You need a distraction,", specially after what happened yesterday, she'd insisted, practically dragging me to this rooftop bar where the city lights shimmered below us, blending into the darkening sky. I sighed, leaning against the railing, trying to lose myself in the view.

But my thoughts kept drifting back to Levi.

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?" Spencer's voice jolted me back to reality. She raised an eyebrow, giving me a knowing look.

"Was it that obvious?" I sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Spencer smirked. "It's always obvious with you two."

Rolling my eyes, I looked back out at the view, desperate to let the cool night air clear my head. I could feel the weight of everything—of my own confusing feelings, of the hurt seeing him with someone else. It was ridiculous, I told myself. I didn't have any claim on him. So why did it bother me this much?

As if on cue, I felt a shift in the atmosphere behind me, a subtle tension that prickled along my spine. I turned, and there he was again — Levi, standing a few feet away, looking as if he'd been watching me for a while. His gaze held that familiar intensity, something between curiosity and amusement, a look that always left me feeling both exposed and exhilarated.

He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "Didn't expect to see you here."

My heart skipped a beat. "Funny, I could say the same about you."

He shrugged, stepping closer, his hands casually tucked in his pockets. "Guess we keep ending up in the same places."

Spencer, who had been watching our exchange with barely concealed interest, made a dramatic show of glancing at her phone. "Oh, look at the time. I should go... get us drinks." She shot me a smirk before slipping away, leaving me alone with Levi.

I crossed my arms, trying to keep my expression neutral. "So, where's Mia?"

Levi's smirk faltered for a second, then he leaned against the railing beside me, close enough that I could catch the faint scent of his cologne. "She had something else to do tonight."

I tried not to let that information affect me, but it was hard not to feel a slight pang of relief. "I didn't know you two were... a thing."

I shouldn't have said that, specially when he said they were co-workers and just friends yesterday.

He looked at me, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You think there's something going on between us?"

I shrugged, attempting a nonchalant tone. "You looked cozy."

He chuckled, a low sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "You sound jealous, Abel."

I scoffed, even as my cheeks burned. "Jealous? Please. I was just... surprised, that's all."

Levi turned, his gaze dropping to meet mine, and there was something in his eyes—something softer than the usual sarcasm, something that made my heart beat faster. "You don't have to pretend with me, you know."

I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. "Pretend what?"

"That you don't care," he said quietly. His voice held a strange tenderness, a vulnerability I wasn't used to hearing from him. "I mean, you're here thinking about me, aren't you?"

I opened my mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, I looked away, feeling the weight of his gaze, feeling exposed in a way I hadn't expected. He was so close, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world had fallen away, leaving just the two of us suspended in this strange, electric silence.

Then, just as I thought he might pull back, he leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Cora, if I wanted to be somewhere else tonight... I wouldn't be here."

My breath hitched, and I forced myself to meet his gaze. There was no trace of his usual smirk, no teasing glint in his eyes. He looked almost... serious.

"Why are you telling me this?" I whispered, barely able to find my voice.

"Because you look like you need to hear it," he said softly, his hand reaching up as if to touch my cheek. He stopped himself, though, his hand hovering for a moment before dropping back to his side.

I swallowed, feeling a strange mixture of hope and fear tightening in my chest. "What?"

For a second, he didn't answer. He just looked at me, his gaze intense and unwavering. Then he leaned in, his voice so quiet I barely caught the words. "Maybe one day, I'll show you."

Before I could respond, Spencer reappeared, holding two drinks with a slightly smug expression. She looked between us, her eyes narrowing with amusement as she handed me a glass.

I barely noticed, too caught up in the lingering warmth of Levi's words, in the quiet promise I thought I'd seen in his eyes.

Spencer nudged my arm, her eyes dancing with mischief. "So, did I miss anything interesting?"

I shot her a look, feeling my cheeks warm, and she grinned knowingly.

And as Levi walked away, giving me one last lingering look over his shoulder, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, he felt something too.

As Levi disappeared into the crowd, my mind raced, replaying every word, every look. Spencer didn't waste a second before nudging me again, practically bouncing on her heels.

"Cora. Spill. Right now."

I hesitated, glancing in the direction Levi had gone. "It's nothing. He just... he was being nice, that's all."

Spencer scoffed. "Nice? Levi Carson doesn't do nice. He does charming with a dash of smug, but not nice. Come on, what did he say?"

I bit my lip, trying to fight the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "He... he said he wouldn't be here if he didn't want to be."

Spencer's eyes widened, her grin growing. "See? He's into you. I've been saying it for weeks!"

"Yeah, well, I'm not so sure." I stared down at my drink, my fingers tracing patterns along the condensation on the glass. "He's with Mia, I think. Or... he was. And he didn't exactly deny it."

"Because he probably knows it drives you crazy," Spencer said, rolling her eyes. "I'm telling you, the guy has been dropping hints like breadcrumbs. He's waiting for you to connect the dots."

I frowned, swirling my drink, trying to absorb her words. Part of me wanted to believe her—that Levi's teasing wasn't just to get under my skin, that the lingering glances and unexpected moments of warmth meant something more. But the other part, the one still stinging from the memory of him and Mia laughing together, was hesitant.

Before I could dwell on it any further, a familiar voice spoke up from behind me. "You two look like you're up to something."

Spencer and I turned, and there was Ethan. Spencer's cheeks flushed a little as she met his gaze. I look at her with an amused face.

"Oh, just girl talk," she said casually, brushing it off, but I could see the small smile she tried to hide.

Ethan's gaze shifted to me, a slight frown crossing his face. "You okay, Cora?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" I muttered, attempting a light laugh. But Ethan didn't buy it.

"Probably because you look like you're about to overthink yourself into oblivion," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Something to do with Carson, by any chance?"

My silence must have given me away, because he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, if Levi's messing with you—"

"He's not," I cut in, more defensive than I intended. "It's just... complicated."

Ethan exchanged a glance with Spencer. Then he looked back at me, his expression softening. "Well, complicated or not, just don't let him get away with anything. Carson can be... intense."

I laughed, though it was more of a nervous chuckle. "I know."

After that, Ethan managed to distract Spencer, and I slipped away to the edge of the rooftop, finding a quiet corner to clear my head.

The city lights sprawled out before me, and I let my gaze drift over them, trying to let go of the frustration and confusion tangled inside.