Page 15 of The Love Raffle

“Are you going to the after party?” Levi asked.

Amber’s eyes widened. “I honestly forgot about that. Are you going?”

“I will if you are.”

Amber grinned and Levi smiled at that. It was her real smile.

* * *

The production team was insistent on fitting everyone into stretch limos.

Amber barely managed to squeeze into the last one before it left, landing in the only open spot—right next to Levi. Her shoulder brushed his, and he turned his head to smile down at her.

“Hi,” he said, his voice softer this time.

“Hey again. Long time no see,” she replied, the corner of her lips curling upward in amusement.

Levi laughed, a deep, sudden sound that drew a few curious glances. Realizing it, he quickly cleared his throat and shifted his gaze to the window.

He couldn’t stop noticing how close she was, how her warmth seeped through the thin fabric of his shirt. His hands twitched in his lap, and he felt absurdly conscious of every movement. Around them, voices mingled in a chaotic buzz, but he could barely register any of it.

Amber turned slightly to face him, her knee brushing his. “You okay?” she asked, her voice cutting through the hum of conversation.

Levi blinked. “Yeah. Just…a lot going on.”

“I get that.” She tilted her head, studying him for a moment. “Are you always this quiet?”

He hesitated, then let out a breathy chuckle. “Guess I’m out of practice. You’ve been busy stealing the spotlight.”

Amber rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the grin that followed. “Hardly. You were right there in it too. Pretty sure you had just as many people cheering for you.”

“Maybe,” he said, looking back at her, “but you’ve got this way of drawing people in.”

Amber raised an eyebrow, her grin turning playful. “Careful, Levi. That almost sounded like a compliment.”

He smirked, his confidence returning. “Maybe it was.”

Before she could respond, the limo jerked to a stop, sending her even closer to him. Her laugh was soft, almost bashful, and itcaught Levi off guard. He didn’t realize he was staring until her eyes met his, holding the moment just long enough to make his pulse quicken.

“So,” she said, her tone lighter now, “are you going to hang out with me all night, or is this where you mysteriously disappear?”

He grinned, leaning back as the limo doors opened. “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”

Amber laughed, shaking her head as she watched the others climb out. For the first time that night, Levi felt at ease, a subtle anticipation lingering between them. He didn’t notice that Amber had stopped laughing. He looked outside and realized they had arrived at the club where Amber worked.

“We don’t have to go in, you know,” Levi said and she sighed.

“I think I do at least. Beca would kill me if I didn’t. I need to make an appearance, and I’m supposed to be using my socials more.” She frowned at the words that came out of her mouth. They were Beca’s.

“Are you sure?” Amber thought of the reactions from her coworkers.

“No, I’d like to go home, if that’s alright.”

“Of course. I’ll drop you home.”

The ride was quiet and feeling short cause before Levi knew it, Amber said, “You can just drop me off right here.” They had stopped at an intersection.

“Are you sure?” He didn’t recognize this neighborhood at all.

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