Page 14 of The Love Raffle

Levi clapped softly then locked eyes with Amber.

Amber straightened her back as the pressure sank in. His eyes were suddenly intense.

“Amber?” Levi said.

Amber cleared her throat. “Well…for me…” She giggled to ease the tension. “Everyone basically said the standard answer but…” In her mind, she saw her childhood home. She heard her own laughter as her father pushed her on the swing in their backyard. She remembered baking with her mom before things grew dark and she sat alone in her room while her parents argued outside. She watched shows online and re-enacted the scenes. Memories of the day she left flittered through her mind. Rolling her suitcase down the stairs of her front door, hermother screaming at her, saying she would never make it and that this was an excuse to run away like her dad had.

“Amber?”

Amber was brought out of her stupor. The lights, the powder on her face, the people. Was this where she belonged?

She smiled as brightly as she could. “For me, I think that dreams are most important.” She saw herself acting in her room again. “Not only my dreams but other people’s dreams as well.” She considered the actors she had embodied in her childhood. “Because when people follow their dreams despite all odds, they always add something beautiful to the world, you know?” She wasn’t even thinking of the game show right now.

“How?” Levi frowned at her words. She seemed far away.

Amber looked at him. “You should know. Your movies are amazing. They may seem insignificant to some people but to your fans, watching Captain Evolution gives them a sense of hope. Something to look forward to when life gets rough. People look it up online and rewatch it. It’s comforting to those who don’t have much or who are in difficult situations. So, the dream that you followed brought beauty into people’s lives. And, of course, it inspired several to do what you do and make more amazing things.”

When she was through, the studio was as silent as a library.

Amber blinked then realized the oddity.Oh no.“I took it a bit too deep there, didn’t I—”

A beat of silence ensued before resounding applause and cheers filled the space. Even her fellow contestants were clapping.

“That wassoprofound,” Diane laughed.

Levi had been lost in her words. “Wow, okay.” For a second, he couldn’t recall his ex, Jenny’s answer. Amber’s answer was all he could think of.

Amber appreciated the encouragement but couldn’t shake her embarrassment for taking things to heart on a little game show. “Alright, we can move along.”

“Yes, we shall.” Jeff stepped up to Levi’s desk. “So, who’s going to be the winner of those thousand points?”

Levi found himself caught in Amber’s enchanting presence. Her words had deeply resonated with him, igniting a sense of admiration and connection that he couldn’t ignore. His mind was filled with thoughts of Amber, her infectious energy and the genuine way she had expressed herself. For a moment, he was lost in the magic of their interaction.

Amber, on the other hand, couldn’t help but blush at the attention she was receiving. It felt surreal to have her words carry weight and impact, especially in a place where she had expected it to be all fun and games. She tried to downplay the moment, eager to move on and finish the show.

Jeff, sensing the anticipation in the air, stepped up to Levi’s desk, ready to announce the winner of the coveted thousand points. The atmosphere grew tense as suspenseful music filled the room, and all cameras focused on Levi, their lenses capturing every nuance of his expression.

Levi straightened his jacket, his heart pounding with a mix of nervousness and excitement. He knew what he had to do, a decision that was both spontaneous and driven by a genuine connection. With a slight grin, he opened his mouth, and his voice projected through the room, commanding everyone’s attention.

“Amber, of course,” Levi declared, winking at her. He let his gaze linger on her, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause, their excitement reverberating throughout the studio.

Amber’s eyes widened in surprise, her heart leaping with a mixture of joy and disbelief. The magnitude of the moment hither like a wave as she realized that this wasn’t a game anymore. The validation she felt in that moment was indescribable, knowing that her authenticity had struck a chord with him. She felt like she was floating as she stood from her seat and moved to meet Levi in the middle of the stage. He slowly leaned in to hug her and as she reached her arms up to return it, he whispered in her ear.

“I knew we’d meet again.”

As the crowd’s cheers subsided, Amber met Levi’s gaze, her smile widening as confetti dropped all around them. She laughed and Levi motioned with his head for them to start heading backstage.

“Congrats on the win! You were amazing up there,” Diane said to Amber as she, Kate, and Patricia walked off stage. Kate gave her a small smile before leaving, but Patricia rolled her eyes.

“Thanks,” she replied, her voice shaky with disbelief and excitement.

“I’m glad you won,” Levi said, and her eyes landed on him again.

“Did you mean for me to win?”

Levi frowned. “What? No, I wouldn’t rig the show like that.”

“Hmm. Okay.” Amber squinted at him.

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