“I think so?”
She turns to look at me.“Feelings aren’t something you have to convince yourself of, they’re a state of being.You know that.For example, since you left, Levi has been a complete cow.He’s unhappy.Cooperative, but unhappy.”
“Why do you think he’s unhappy?He’s always been quiet, a man of very few words.”
A smile creeps up her face, the lines of her mouth chasing the chill up my spine.
“I have my ways.Anyways, as you know, I’m incredibly busy, and now that you’ve found my glasses, I can get back to work.Unless is there anything I can do for you?”
Her voice is quiet over the internal panic in my head.He’s unhappy?
“Um, yes, actually.Is there any way you can get me tickets—four of them—to the show?My sister recently got engaged to Levi’s best friend and he wants to be there on the last night.”
She stops typing, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.“Your sister is getting married to your love interest’s best friend?HA!You guys really are a mess, aren’t you?”
“He’s not my—”
“Tell Arianna at the front the name and room number of the hotel you’re in and I’ll have some tickets sent over.Front row!”Her phone starts to ring, and without even waving me off, she answers.“Hello, this is Jan...”
As quietly as I possibly can, I scoot my chair back and stand, slinging my bag over my shoulder and walking to the door.I open it to the rest of the office.
“Oh, Tate?”she calls as I’m halfway out.
“Hmm?”
“Try to dress nice.A dress or something.I’m sure the cameras will find you.”And with that, she jumps back on her call, yelling about licensing and “they can’t do that!”
Tim and Callie jump from the black leather lobby chairs the second they see me round the corner.It makes me smile how in sync they are.I hold up a finger as I give the receptionist our hotel information.
“Did you get them?”Callie asks, linking her arm with mine as we walk out of the office to the elevator.
“I think so?It definitely went differently than I had imagined.”
Bing!The elevator opens and the three of us step inside.
“How so?”Tim asks.
I hit the ground floor button, considering where to start and how much to tell Tim.“She just said Levi is unhappy, and that was surprising to me considering everything he said he wanted he got.But then again, how much of what Jan said is true and how much is speculation.”
Tim narrows his eyes in my direction, rocking back and forth on his heels.The elevator is mirror-paneled so I get every angle of him.He wipes his hand over his mouth.“I don’t know that he’s unhappy.I think he’s trying to figure it out.I’m glad his mom came with us.I think that will be good for him...to have her in his corner again.I hope that wasn’t weird for you, Tate...”He smiles nervously like he just considered the possibility.The doors open.
“No, not at all.She was absolutely lovely.”
I don’t feel the need to mention that for the nearly five-hour flight she talked exclusively about Levi.How she knew when she first had him that he was special.The whole time I smiled, laughed, and picked out features that they shared.Eyes and hair color.I wondered where his dad was and if he knew what a great guy his son turned out to be.I contemplated asking her but didn’t because he’s not mine and it’s none of my business.Yes, he sent me roses.Yes, we text daily.And yes, I got on a flight to see him win American Icon (hopefully), but that’s where it ends.Levi is a flight risk and above that I’m not sure I could be with someone who didn’t have the same spiritual outlook as me.Like not believing in God is a big deal.The biggest deal.
I unlock the rental car but make Tim drive.Callie takes the front seat and I’m in back.
“Where to now?”Tim asks, clicking his seat belt before re-tethering his hand with Callie’s.
“I don’t know.Do we need to get his mom, take her to lunch or anything?”I check the time as my own stomach growls beneath my shirt.Ten past two.
“Nah.Actually, Levi said he was picking her up and taking her out.”Both Callie’s and my eyes grow to saucers.“Wait, don’t worry!She promised she wouldn’t say anything.”
“He’s totally going to find out.”Callie verbalizes what my brain screams.
Tim’s quiet as he winds his way out of the garage.Light filters through the car in a way that feels like opening the curtains first thing in the morning.Stark, but energizing.
“You guys really think she will say something?”
