04

As we stepped out of the café, the crisp evening air hit me, a refreshing contrast to the warmth inside. I zipped up my jacket, trying to push down the strange mix of anticipation and annoyance that always accompanied any encounter with Levi.

Spencer must have sensed my inner turmoil because she nudged me playfully. "You know, if you ever want to talk about it..."

I glanced over at her, seeing the familiar spark of curiosity in her eyes. Spencer had always been more perceptive than I gave her credit for. "Talk about what?" I asked.

"Oh, come on, Cora. You and Levi—there's something there. It's more than just old grudges, don't you think?"

I frowned, shaking my head. "There's nothing there, Spencer. Just years of unresolved tension. We were never friends."

She gave me a knowing look. "Sometimes, unresolved tension can turn into something else. Just saying."

I rolled my eyes, but her words planted a seed of doubt in my mind. Was there something more? I'd always dismissed the idea. Levi had always been a thorn in my side, someone who knew exactly how to push my buttons. But lately, it felt different. The way he looked at me, the way he spoke—there was something more behind it, something I wasn't ready to acknowledge.

We parted ways at the corner, Spencer heading towards her apartment while I continued down the street. The city was alive with the sounds of people, cars, and the distant hum of activity. Normally, it would have been comforting, but tonight, it felt like background noise to the thoughts swirling in my head.

As I walked, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, half-expecting a message from Spencer or Ethan, but instead, it was a notification about the charity auction. I opened it, scanning the details. The event was going to be bigger than I'd realized—local businesses, influencers, and even a few celebrities were involved. The pressure to make a significant contribution weighed on me, but so did the idea of going head-to-head with Levi in front of so many people.

I was halfway home when my phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text from Levi.

He hadn't deleted my number, well neither did I. So why was I surprised to see his text?

Levi: Looking forward to seeing what you've got planned for the auction. Hope you're ready to bring your A-game.

I stared at the screen, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. What was his angle? Was he trying to throw me off, or was this just another part of our never-ending game? My heart raced as I typed out a reply.

Me: You'll have to wait and see. Don't worry, I won't disappoint.

His response was almost immediate.

Levi: I wouldn't expect anything less from you.

I frowned at the screen, his words echoing in my mind long after I locked my phone. What was he playing at? And why did I feel a strange flutter in my chest at the thought of impressing him?

By the time I reached my apartment, I was mentally exhausted. I tossed my keys on the counter and collapsed onto the couch, staring up at the ceiling. Spencer's words kept playing over in my head, mixing with Levi's texts until I couldn't make sense of anything.

It wasn't until later that night, lying in bed and staring at the darkness, that I allowed myself to entertain the possibility that Spencer might be right. Maybe there was something more to this push and pull between Levi and me. Something that had been building for years, buried beneath layers of sarcasm and rivalry.

But if that were true, what did it mean for us? Could we ever be more than adversaries?

I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. This was ridiculous. Levi was the last person I should be thinking about before falling asleep. But as much as I tried to push the thoughts away, they kept creeping back, taunting me with the possibilities I wasn't ready to face.

The week passed in a blur, with work taking up most of my time. But in the back of my mind, the upcoming auction loomed large. Spencer tried to keep me focused, distracting me with talks of strategy and what to wear, but nothing could fully pull me away from the thought of facing Levi again.

The day of the auction arrived faster than I expected. I found myself standing in front of my closet, staring at the options with a mix of excitement and dread. Spencer had convinced me to go all out—a sleek black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places, paired with simple yet elegant jewelry. I hesitated, wondering if it was too much. But then I remembered Levi's smirk, his confident challenge, and I felt a surge of determination.

I was going to win this, not just for the charity, but for myself. To prove to Levi that I wasn't the same girl he used to tease and taunt. I had grown up, and I wasn't going to let him get the best of me.

By the time I arrived at the venue, the auction was in full swing. The room was packed with people, all dressed to the nines, and the air buzzed with excitement. I scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face, and found Spencer by the bar, chatting with Ethan.

"There you are!" she exclaimed when she spotted me, pulling me into a hug. "You look amazing, Cora. Levi won't know what hit him."

I forced a smile, trying to hide the nerves bubbling up inside me. "Let's just focus on raising money for the hospital, okay?"

"Of course," she agreed, but the mischievous glint in her eyes told me she had other plans.

We made our way to our table, where a few other donors were seated. I recognized most of them from previous events, and we exchanged polite greetings. But my attention was elsewhere, scanning the room for a certain someone.

And then, as if drawn by some invisible force, my eyes locked onto Levi across the room. He was standing with a group of people, laughing at something someone had said, but the moment he saw me, his expression shifted. His eyes roamed over me, and I could almost see the gears turning in his head as he took in my appearance.

Our gazes held for a moment longer than necessary, and I felt a strange thrill run through me. This was it—the real game was about to begin.