46

Levi and I stepped out of the theater, my arm brushing against his as the cool night air settled around us. The movie had been better than I thought it would be, though I wasn't about to admit that to Levi.

"So?" he asked, glancing at me with that familiar smirk. "What's the verdict? Was I right, or was I right?"

"You were... tolerable," I said, rolling my eyes. "The movie was fine. A solid six out of ten."

He raised an eyebrow. "Tolerable? You were literally on the edge of your seat during the big reveal."

I scoffed, pretending to be offended. "I was not. You're imagining things."

His chuckle was warm, low, the kind that always made me feel like the world wasn't so bad after all.

But of course, the universe couldn't let me have that moment.

"Levi!"

I froze at the sound of her voice. Levi turned, and there she was-Mia. She looked effortlessly polished as usual, her dark hair falling perfectly over her shoulders. A tall, clean-cut guy stood next to her, his expression polite but unreadable.

"Mia," Levi said, his tone instantly warm.

"Long time no see," she said, stepping closer. Her eyes flicked to me briefly, her smile kind but distant. "Hey, Cora."

I managed a smile back, though my stomach churned. "Hi, Mia."

The guy beside her gave us a friendly nod. "Hi, I'm Nathan," he said, extending his hand.

"Cora," I said, shaking it quickly, relieved to have something else to focus on for a moment.

"And I'm Levi," Levi added, shaking Nathan's hand before turning back to Mia. "What are you two up to?"

"We just finished dinner," Mia said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Nathan's visiting for the week, so I figured I'd show him around the city."

"That's nice," Levi said, his tone friendly, casual. "How's work been?"

"Busy," she said with a laugh. "But good. I've been meaning to thank you for helping with that presentation last week-it went over so well. I think Mr. Carter was actually impressed for once."

Levi chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "That was mostly your doing. You've got a knack for simplifying the complicated."

Their easy camaraderie, the way their conversation flowed, sent an uneasy pang through my chest. I knew Levi had told me countless times that Mia was just a friend, and I believed him. But watching them together, seeing how seamlessly they fit into each other's worlds, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider.

"Well, we should let you two get going," Mia said, glancing at Nathan. "It was great running into you. And Cora, good to see you again."

"You too," I said, my voice tight.

As Mia and Nathan walked away, Levi turned to me, frowning. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "Why wouldn't I be?"

He tilted his head, studying me. "Cora, come on. I know you better than that. What's going on?"

I sighed, looking away. "It's nothing. Forget it."

"Sweetheart." he pressed, his tone firmer now.

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. "It's just - I don't know. You and Mia seem so comfortable. And I know it's stupid, but sometimes it makes me feel like I'm not enough."

Levi's eyes widened, his frustration flickering across his face. "Sweetheart you know that's not true. Mia's a coworker and a friend. That's it. You're-" He paused, raking a hand through his hair. "You're the one I'm with. Why are we having this conversation?"

His tone stung, even though I knew he wasn't trying to be harsh. "I don't know, Levi. Maybe because it's not just about Mia. It's about... everything. You're so good at what you do, so confident, and I'm just-"

"You're just what?" he interrupted, his voice rising slightly. "Cora, you're amazing. I've told you that. What else can I do to make you believe it?"

I swallowed, feeling the weight of my insecurities pressing down on me. "I don't know, Levi. I wish I knew."

The tension between us was thick as we walked the rest of the way to my apartment in silence.

When we stepped inside, I removed my coat and glanced at him. He was standing by the door, his arms crossed, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration.

"Cora," he started, his voice softer now. "I don't know what else to say."

I looked down, my chest tight. "I know. And I'm sorry. I just... I don't know how to stop feeling this way. I can't stop overthinking, these stupid pros and cons just keep on coming. I don't know where this insecurity is coming from, maybe I am too scared to lose you."

Levi let out a slow breath, stepping closer. "I don't want you to apologize. I just want you to believe me when I say that you're enough. More than enough. And I am not going anywhere."

His words hung in the air, but the knot in my chest didn't loosen. I wanted to believe him, wanted to push the doubts away, but they lingered, stubborn and unrelenting.

"I know." I said quietly.

Levi nodded, though I could see the frustration lingering in his eyes. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "She is just a friend, I swear. It might look like something else, but I swear it's not. And you saw she was with Nathan."

"Promise." I asked, stopping in my tracks. It might look like something else but I swear it's not. Turning around I took a step towards Levi.

"Yes," he said, his tone firm. "She's a good friend, that's all."

I stared at him for a moment, my heart pounding. I turned away, blinking back the tears that were threatening to fall.

What was wrong with me?

"I know that - I know I am overthinking. But I can't help it, you know what we were before. This is all new to me, and I know I am wrong but I can't help but think I am not enough sometimes.", I admitted.

"Sweetheart, listen to me.", Levi said softly, approaching me.

"I know she is just a friend, but I can't help but feel insecure. She is beautiful and such a nice human being and it wrecks me that this stupid overthinking is clouding my thoughts to think straight." I reply taking a step back.

Levi's expression softened as he cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing against my cheek.

"Cora, sweetheart, look at me," he said firmly but tenderly, forcing my gaze to meet his. "You have nothing to feel insecure about. Yes, she's beautiful, and yes, she's nice, but she is not you. She doesn't make my heart race like you do. She doesn't challenge me, frustrate me, or make me want to be a better man every single day like you do. More than words, you are everything to me."

I blinked, my throat tightening as I tried to process his words. "But Levi-"

He interrupted me, his tone growing more intense. "No buts. You're it for me, Cora. You always have been. I don't see anyone else because I don't want anyone else. You're the one I argue with, laugh with, fight with, and love."

My breath hitched, and I felt tears pricking the corners of my eyes. "I just... I hate that I feel this way."

"And that's okay," Levi assured me, his voice softening again. "Feelings don't always make sense, but you don't have to face them alone. Let me remind you every day, if I have to, how much you mean to me."

I hugged him, wrapping my arms tightly around him, as if holding on could make everything feel okay. His warmth was calming, and for a moment, it felt like the chaos in my mind quieted down.

I closed my eyes, taking in the comfort he gave me, hoping it could ease the doubts I couldn't shake. It wasn't just a hug-it was a way of saying I needed him and I was grateful, without using any words.

Hi, thank you for reading this chapter! Cora and Levi's journey is messy and I really mean messy but it's also heartfelt, and moments like this remind me why I love them so much.

Did Levi's confession win you over, or should he still prove himself more? Let me know your thoughts-they mean the world to me!

- love sky