And then something reckless sparks in my brain.
“Actually,” I say smoothly, stepping forward. “Lieutenant Kane won’t be available for bidding.”
Mrs. Dottie blinks. “Oh?”
“He’s taken.”
Levi’s head turns toward me so fast I almost laugh.
“I am?” he asks quietly.
I meet his eyes.
Bold.
Steady.
“Yes,” I say. “We’re getting back together.”
Silence drops over the bay.
Ash nearly drops a wrench.
Mrs. Dottie’s eyes widen with delighted scandal. “Together?”
“Rekindling the old flame,” I add before my courage fails.
Levi’s expression goes utterly still.
The church ladies’ eyebrows raise before Dottie turns to the newest recruit on the crew, “Well, Eli–what about you?”
I turn to Levi fully now, because if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it without flinching.
“Spring Fundraising Season lasts three months,” I say under my breath. “You need a shield. I need to avoid being shoved onto a debutante stage. We fake date.”
Levi’s gaze burns into me. “Fake.”
“Public affection only,” I lower my voice another notch to make sure the women can’t hear, then begin ticking off rules on my fingers. “90 days. No real feelings. No revisiting ancient history. We survive charity season, the church ladies back off, and then we go back to normal.”
“Normal,” he repeats, low.
My pulse jumps. “Yep.”
He studies me in silence, eyes dark and assessing. “You think you can handle that?”
“I handled leaving,” I say before I can stop myself.
The words hang between us like smoke. His jaw tightens. “Different kind of fire.”
Mrs. Dottie returns with her clipboard and gaggle of lady friends. “Well! If you two are courting, we’ll need to update the newsletter.”
Levi doesn’t look away from me. “You’re serious?”
“Very.”
“You don’t want to be auctioned.”
“I do not.”
