Page 35 of The Love Raffle

Levi picked up all the snacks and went after her. “Same here. In no time I’m going to get a call from Oscar asking where I am.He always picks me up at my place.” He sighed at the notion of leaving this tiny world.

“Babysitter?” Amber asked after opening her fridge. She closed it. “Wait, I need to clean up…” Her eyes popped as she faced him. “Andyouneed to leave. Doesn’t the world think you’re with that Fiona girl?”

Levi put the half-eaten chips and bottle of wine on the counter. “Yeah, but no one saw me come here so the chances of paparazzi camping outside your apartment is low. Plus, no one’s really awake right now.”

“So, you want to wait for them to wake up?” Amber was still on edge from her dream. “You should go, Levi. I don’t want your team asking questions.” She held his arm and walked him to the door.

Levi’s shoulders fell. “Okay. Forgive me for not wanting this to end.”

Amber stood in front of him as he pulled his hat off the rack and sighed. “I know. Last night was…” She remembered their kiss and what they had talked about. “Magical. It’s been a while since I’ve done something like that with someone, so I’m happy things went well but…we don’t want confusion.”

Levi was sensing a rift that hadn’t been there last night. “Hey, you woke up hyperventilating.” Had she put up a wall because of that?I should give her space.“Is there…something you want to talk about?”

Amber was touched by his concern. “I…” The wild events of her dream played out in her head. The first thing she thought of was all the crazed dancing.But that wasn’t the main event.Did it mean something? “I had areallycrazy dream, but I don’t want to talk about it.”

Levi’s mouth twisted in disappointment, but he understood. “Okay. You probably need space to think about that, huh?”

Amber looked away, nodding.

“Right… Well, um, when can I see you again?”

“I’ll be shooting all next week and then I have work.” Her headache was getting worse. It had started at the center of her forehead but was now spreading to behind her ears. “I’d only be available late at night but it’s kind of a bad idea to stay up all night so…next Sunday? If you have the time?”

Levi wanted to spend all day with her. “What if I paid Riverside Restaurant a visit?”

Amber felt those butterflies again. His boyish charm was infectious. “What? You’ll walk right in with your rumored girlfriend Fiona Bazoli?” she whispered.

Levi’s smile fell. “Does that bother you a lot?”

Amber shook her head. “No. I’m just thinking logically, okay, Marks? That’s it. Now get going before your babysitter starts worrying about you.”

Levi rolled his eyes. “He’s not— Okay, hekindofismy babysitter but it’s not like that.”

Amber opened the door and shoved him out. “Get out of here!” She waved a fist like an angry old person, but it was all a joke.

Levi pouted. “Okay, okay, I’m going.” He leaned back in to kiss her cheek softly before turning around to leave.

Amber closed her door and breathed out. “Now for the day at hand.”

Chapter 11

Amber’s knee would not stop bouncing and she had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at herself for the sake of not seeming crazy to those around her. But it probably wouldn’t matter anyway. She bet she already looked as nervous as she felt. It was her first time on a set as an actual actress and her mind was buzzing.

She was still trying to get that damn nightmare out of her head. She couldn’t be off her game today. She needed to wow everyone and show them she was serious. Not just a game show contestant.Not just a plaything.Amber shook her head violently to get rid of the thought.

Her mind wandered back to last night. Levi’s lips on hers. His arms around her. She couldn’t believe it. She shivered at the memory.

Suddenly, the director’s frowning face appeared in front of her.

“Amber? Are you even listening? We need to do this table read again.”

“Yes, I’m so sorry.”

The director looked her up and down with glaring eyes before they softened.

“It’s fine. You’re a beginner. Just stay focused, ’kay?”

“Of course, Ms. Carmichael.”

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