“Listen to me.” She gave an awkward laugh. “I’ve known you for all of two weeks, and I’m spilling all my secrets.”
The vulnerable look on her face tugged at him. She tore her gaze away and continued rolling the rug.
“That must’ve been very difficult for a little girl to understand,” he said when they’d finished. “A lot of pressure. It’s a wonder you wanted to be an actress.”
“It’s the work I enjoy. Unlike with my mom, the attention is just something that comes with it—something I put up with.”
“All things considered, you seem very well adjusted. And I hope you know I’d never share the things you’ve told me with anyone.”
“So you’re not going to sell me out toPeoplemagazine?” she said lightly.
“Never.” He gave her a playful smile. “MaybeEntertainment WeeklyorU.S. Weekly.”
Her eyes met his, lighting a moment before she started laughing.
“What?” he asked, bemused. “What’s so—?”
Mia snorted. “It’sUs Weekly, notU.S.! United States Week—” She couldn’t finish for the laughter.
His face heated. He scratched his neck. “All right, all right. So I don’t know my gossip rags. Sue me.”
Her cheeks had blossomed a pretty pink color, and her nose crinkled adorably. Her laughter was like a beautiful melody—even if it was at his expense.
“If you’re gonna laugh, sweetheart, I’m gonna give you something to laugh about.” He poked her in the side.
She squealed and sternly pointed her finger. “Levi Bennett...”
He got her again in the ribs, the soft clothing making it so easy to reach his target.
“I’m very ticklish!”
“How lucky for me.” He went after her, careful of her ankle, making her laugh hysterically. “Yes, much better than being laughed at.”
She rolled onto her back, wiggling and squirming. “I wasn’t laughing at—”
He got her other side. “What was that?”
“All right, I was, but it was so—”
“Sweet? Cute? Clever?”
“Cute! It was cute. Let’s go with that.”
He paused a moment to give her the stink eye.
A snicker sneaked out.
Levi lifted his tickling hand over her in a threatening manner.
The smile dropped from her face. Though her lips may have twitched.
Then her expression suddenly shifted. She widened her eyes, all innocence. She gave a slow blink. “It wassocute I could hardly stand it. Cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”
He narrowed his eyes, waiting for a lapse in her expression.
She looked every bit the innocent. Her eyes didn’t so much as twinkle.
“Darn, you’re good.”
