03

Spencer led the way to our usual corner booth, a cozy spot with just enough privacy to keep our conversation from drifting to nearby tables. I followed, feeling the familiar warmth of the place seep into my bones, but I couldn't shake the awareness that Levi was right behind me.

"Nice place," Ethan remarked, sliding into the booth across from Spencer. Levi took the seat next to him, his eyes scanning the menu.

"Yeah, it's our go-to spot," Spencer replied with a smile. "Cora and I have spent way too many hours here, procrastinating instead of studying."

Levi's gaze flicked to me, a smirk playing at his lips. "Procrastinating? You? I thought you were the poster child for overachievement."

I rolled my eyes, fighting the urge to respond with a biting remark. Instead, I focused on the menu, even though I knew it by heart. "People change," I said finally, glancing up at him. "Some of us grow up."

Spencer cleared her throat, giving me a look that said, *Be nice*. I bit back the rest of my retort and instead turned my attention to Ethan, who was studying the menu as if it held the secrets of the universe.

"So, Ethan," Spencer began, clearly trying to steer the conversation into safer waters, "how did you and Levi meet?"

Ethan looked up, smiling easily. "We met in college, actually. Both of us were on the debate team."

"Debate team?" I echoed, genuinely surprised. Levi had always been quick with a comeback, but I never imagined him in such an organized setting. "I didn't know you were into that."

Levi shrugged, not looking up from his menu. "People change," he echoed back at me, his tone light but his eyes unreadable.

I wanted to push, to pry deeper into the revelation, but my mind was still reeling. Levi—who once got detention for arguing with a history teacher for an entire class period—had been on a structured debate team? It was hard to picture.

High school, junior year.

It was supposed to be a simple debate for English class—Shakespeare versus modern literature. Levi and I had been paired against each other, and I should have known it would turn into something bigger. We weren’t just arguing The Bard versus contemporary authors; we were fighting to win.

The debate had escalated fast. What started as an exchange of points and counterpoints had turned into something more charged, the air crackling with tension neither of us had the maturity to understand yet. He had leaned in, his smirk sharp, his words sharper. "Face it, Cora, you're just mad because I’m winning."

"You wish," I snapped back, pulse racing. "The only thing you're winning is the award for biggest ego."

The class had laughed, but the teacher had to step in before we verbally tore each other apart. Levi had walked away victorious that day—not because he had won the debate, but because he had gotten to me.

That moment stuck with me for longer than I cared to admit. And now, years later, the realization hit me—he had been honing that skill ever since.

Spencer chuckled, trying to diffuse the tension. "Well, that explains why you two seem to enjoy arguing so much. You've had practice."

Ethan laughed. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. But Levi's actually a decent guy when he's not trying to win an argument."

"Don't give him too much credit," I muttered, earning a smirk from Levi.

"Credit where it's due, Cora," Levi said, finally setting his menu aside. "I could say the same about you, though. You look amazing."

I blinked, taken aback. The last thing I expected from Levi was a genuine compliment. "Thanks," I said cautiously, trying to gauge if there was a hidden barb in his words. But he just nodded, as if it was the most normal thing in the world for us to have a civil exchange.

Spencer's eyes darted between us, her expression one of cautious optimism. "See? You two can be nice to each other when you try."

Before I could respond, the waitress arrived to take our orders. As we waited for our drinks, the conversation drifted back to lighter topics—Ethan's recent travels, Spencer's latest project at work. I found myself relaxing, even as Levi's presence kept me on edge. Despite everything, it was... nice. Almost normal.

But of course, that couldn't last.

"So," Ethan said, leaning back in his seat, "are you both going to the charity auction next week?"

My head snapped up. "Charity auction?"

Levi grinned, leaning forward. "Oh, didn't you hear? It's for that children's hospital fundraiser. I'm helping organize the event, and you're one of the key donors, right?"

"Yeah," I replied slowly, my mind racing to catch up. I had agreed to donate a significant sum for the auction, but I hadn't realized Levi was involved. "I'm supporting a few items up for auction."

"Well, it seems like we'll be competing to see who can raise the most money," Levi said, his grin widening. "May the best team win."

The playful challenge in his voice sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. I opened my mouth to fire back, but Spencer quickly intervened. "How about we focus on raising as much as we can for the kids instead of turning this into another rivalry?"

"Why not both?" Levi quipped, his eyes never leaving mine.

I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling the familiar mix of irritation and something else—something I wasn't ready to examine too closely. "Fine," I said, matching his tone. "But don't think I'll go easy on you just because it's for charity."

Levi chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

Spencer sighed, her earlier hopefulness dimming. "You two are impossible."

"Maybe," Levi said, still grinning, "but at least we're consistent."

I rolled my eyes, but there was no denying the spark of excitement that flared up at the thought of facing off against Levi again. It was like slipping into a familiar rhythm, even if that rhythm was built on years of bickering and unresolved tension.

As we finished our drinks and prepared to leave, I found myself glancing at Levi out of the corner of my eye.

He caught my look and raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and something else—something that made my heart skip a beat.

"See you at the auction, Cora," he said, his voice low and confident.

"Count on it," I replied, hoping I sounded more sure of myself than I felt.

Spencer linked her arm with mine as we walked out of the café, giving me a sidelong glance. "You okay?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.

I sighed, trying to shake off the lingering tension. "Yeah. Just... not looking forward to dealing with him again."

Spencer smiled knowingly. "You know, Cora, you might find that dealing with Levi isn't as bad as you think. People do change."

"Maybe," I conceded, "but some things stay the same. Like his ability to get under my skin."

She laughed softly. "That's part of the fun, isn't it?"

I didn't answer, but her words stayed with me as we walked away. Maybe she was right. Maybe there was something more to this constant push and pull between Levi and me. But for now, all I could focus on was the upcoming auction and the challenge ahead.

And, if I was honest with myself, the thrill of facing Levi one more time.