“And what are you guys doing?”
“We’re going to a place called…Texas Roundup or something?” I shrug. “Apparently, it serves cowboy sushi, which is made out of steak and chicken instead of fish.”
“Ooo, that sounds yummy.”
“I hope so! After that, we’re going to just watch a movie at his place.”
“And does Levi know you’ll be at his apartment?” she questions.
I shake my head. “Nope. I have no idea if he’ll be there, either. But I told Conner I wanted something relatively low-key, and that’s what he suggested.”
Suzette gives her opinion on the matter. “Sounds like the perfect opportunity to get to know Conner as well as seeing Levi’s reaction to you dating someone else.”
“Yup. Couldn’t have planned it better myself,” Sophie agrees.
“Now, we just have to wait and see how it all play
s out,” Indie adds.
“Yup,” I repeat, anxiety practically eating me alive as I squirm in the hairdresser’s chair. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Chapter Eighteen
Charlie
My pulse spikes when a knock echoes through my little apartment. Rubbing my sweaty hands along my black leather skirt, I grab my matching black clutch that Sophie convinced me to buy then open the front door.
“Umm…hi,” I greet Conner.
Scanning me from head to toe, his eyes widen. “Uh…hey.”
“Hi,” I repeat as I shift awkwardly under his intense stare. That’s when it hits me. I finally understand the term fish out of water.
“You look….” He clears his throat then finally makes eye contact with me. “You look hot.”
With a light laugh that feels a little forced, I step into the hallway and lock the door behind me.
Tucking my keys into my clutch, I look up and wait for him to lead the way. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah. Let me just look at you for one more second.” His long legs take a step back and away from me before he does another perusal, though the attention makes me clam up.
“Uh…shouldn’t we get going?” I mutter after another few long seconds.
Sensing my unease, he offers his arm to me. When I take it, I notice his knowing smirk. “Right this way.” He pushes the elevator’s down button to take us to the first floor before adding, “You’re not used to being the center of attention, are you.”
It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “Not really.”
“Well, you should get used to it. Especially when you’re dressed like that.” Subtly, I tug on the hem of my shirt, which makes him chuckle.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of. Though, if I get into a fight tonight, I blame you.”
I don’t know why, but the image of Levi with bloody knuckles when I was a child comes to mind. He’d hit a jerk who’d caught onto the whole Charlie’s a boy fiasco that Conner had started before moving away. The thought causes my spine to straighten, and my knuckles turn white as I grip my clutch.
“I was kidding,” he mutters, grabbing my attention as we step onto the elevator.
With another forced smile, I pat his arm. “Sorry, I’m being weird. Like you said, I’m not used to being the center of attention, and I’m definitely not used to being called hot.”
“It was meant as a compliment,” he clarifies. “But I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, either. If I say anything stupid, it’s because you’ve rendered me speechless. You’re not the only one who’s found themselves in an unfamiliar situation tonight, Charlie.”