It probably would have been smart to play out this scenario in my head before I came face to face with Levi, but I was amazing at avoiding him. Also denial. Also, in my defense, I didn’t think he’d be here tonight because it was a family thing. The singles-slash-younger-crowd usually headed out of town to Finch’s farm for a spooky, more grown-up Halloween party.
“Oh, no, is that the Hulk?” Levi’s voice chased after us, not catching Max’s attention but straight up kidnapping mine. “Wait up, I’m going to need that autograph.”
“He’s talking about you, Hulk,” I murmured to Max out of the corner of my mouth.
Max blinked up at me, “Huh?”
I spun around to greet Levi. “He’s not doing autographs right now. Please respect his privacy. He’s with his family.”
Levi’s mouth split into a grin. “And what are you? The bodyguard?”
“Hulk doesn’t need a bodyguard,” Max declared, suddenly joining the conversation. He ripped his hand out of mine and did a sort of karate kick jump that landed with his foam biceps being flexed.
Levi’s happy expression turned to Max. “That’s what I thought, dude. Moms. Am I right?” Holding out his hand, he made a fist for Max to bump—which he did.
“Hey, Levi,” Max said casually, like it was no big deal he knew who Levi Cole was… like it was no big deal for them to be talking. “You never brought over Star Trek.”
“Star Wars,” Levi corrected. “And you’re right. I didn’t. I think we need to clear it with your mom first. She might not be your bodyguard, but she’s definitely the law of the land.”
Max turned to me with fingers clasped, his pumpkin sticking out to the side. “Please, Mom? Please, please, please? I really want to see it. I asked Daniel about it and he said it’s the best movie ever and he couldn’t believe I’ve never seen it before. Please, Mom?”
“All right, slow down, kiddo. How about we focus on trick-or-treating tonight? We can talk about that later.”
“But—”
“We’ve got a lot of candy to get, but it’s going to be all gone if we don’t get moving.” I smiled to myself. There, crisis averted. Was I the best at redirection? Yes, yes, I was.
“Maybe I could do that with you first,” Levi suggested. “Then your mom will get to know how cool I am and we can make plans for Star Wars later.”
Max’s previously resigned expression widened with excitement and his eyes somehow morphed into puppy-dog-pleading-adorableness that I struggled to say no to. “That would be the best ever!” Max pled his case. “Can he, Mommy? Please?”
What was I saying about redirection? Damn it. Thwarted by the Jedi Master of butting in where he didn’t belong.
“Oh, I’m sure he has other things to—”
“I don’t,” Levi answered, cutting me off.
Turning to face him for the first time since he walked over, I met his mossy green eyes with fire in my own. “We don’t want to interrupt your supper.”
“I’m good.” His eyes narrowed, challenging. “This is way more fun.”
Max tugged on my hand. “Come on, Mom. All the good candy is going to be gone.”
“Yeah, come on, Ruby, all the good candy is going to be gone.”
Without verbally agreeing to anything, I let Max take off. I followed him, because that was what good moms did. They definitely didn’t go running in the opposite direction just to escape the sexy man intent on spending time with them. Besides, I loved this night with Max.
Since last year, I had felt he was old enough to go up to the stores and candy spots around the square and fill his pumpkin himself, while I hung in the background. He didn’t need me to remind him to say thank you anymore and I was tired of doing it for him anyway.
Max knew the routine and knew not to run off where I couldn’t see him, so he headed for the first stop while Levi fell into step beside me.
I decided that if he brought up our kiss, I was going to die from embarrassment, right here, right now. When Max was a baby, I had made Coco promise to raise Max and only let my mom visit occasionally. She’d sworn on her life and tequila, so I knew she would honor her promise. At the very least, Max would be all right if I died of spontaneous humiliation.
“What’s your game plan, Cole? I know you have better Saturday night options.”
He shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets and staring ahead at Max. “I’m hoping to score some Baby Ruths to be honest. They’re my favorite.”
“Don’t you touch our Baby Ruths,” I gasped. “Those suckers are hard to come by.”
