My mouth stretches into a full-on grin as a laugh bubbles out of me.
“Yeah, that might’ve been the more gentlemanly thing to do.”
“Gentlemanly?” he questions, quirking his brow.
I laugh. “Yup. It’s a good thing I’ve always had a thing for players.”
“Is that right?”
“Maybe.”
With a look of pure satisfaction, he leans closer and whispers, “So what do you say? Will you go out with a player who’s willing to settle down for you?”
“You’re willing to settle down for me?” I ask, my emotions shoving my stupid logic aside like a linebacker rushing the endzone.
“If I wasn’t, I never would’ve jeopardized our friendship, Charlie.”
And I know he’s right. Levi isn’t an idiot. Well, not usually, anyway. He’s meticulous. Brilliant. And brave as hell. It’s that last trait that pushes me over the edge, forcing me to take the leap I’ve been desperate to jump for years, yet I was too terrified to witness the outcome before. But now? With his own eyes urging me to take a chance, I finally feel brave. Powerful. And maybe even a little confident in my own skin too.
“Yes,” I agree. “I’ll go out with you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“And what about Conner?” he presses.
With a shrug, I say, “What about him?”
“Charlie—”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Any chance you could do it delicately?” He grimaces, which only makes me giggle.
Rolling my eyes, I nudge my shoulder against his. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks. Even though I was insanely jealous of the guy, now that I’m the one walking away with the girl, I kinda feel bad for him.”
My stomach tightens when the words insanely jealous reach my ears, but I try to keep it cool.
With a one-shouldered shrug, I murmur, “I’m sure he’ll be fine. Plenty of fish in the sea, and all that jazz, right? But you’re welcome.”
“And Charlie?” Levi tugs on the end of my ponytail playfully, though his expression is consuming.
“Yeah?” I ask, squirming under his intense gaze.
“I’m really glad you said yes.”
Sucking my lips into my mouth, I attempt to keep my smile hidden from my best friend, who just made it very clear that he’s interested in pursuing something…more.
“Me too.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Levi
The walk back to work goes by quickly. My body moves on auto-drive as my mind replays the conversation with Charlie a thousand times. After I step off the elevator, I head to Alexandra’s office then rap my knuckles against her partially open door.