Page 57 of The Love Raffle

Levi pocketed his cell. “Oscar says you’ll be in for it today. I’ll send over some security, okay? This stuff is blowing up.” He chuckled. “I guess all my thinking didn’t amount to much. Because I didn’t see this coming at all. Or maybe I did and overlooked it.” His palms were clammy. Sweat seeped from his pores and dampened his shirt. He was nervous and jittery. This might have been his first public scandal. Something he’d feared since day one. Not that he’d done something incriminating. It just appeared that way. Proving once more that he’d handled this clumsily.This is why we have agents and publicists.He had his reasons anyway. Ensuring Amber’s happiness was all he’d been thinking about. Did she feel better?

Amber was charmed. She held his face. “Did Oscar mention what Rachel thinks of all this?” In Hollywood, gossip spreads faster than light speed. Had it even been half an hour?

Levi stifled a choked cough. “Uh, she’s…not happy…but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” He sighed, guilt slipping in. “Listen, I know that now you’re inconvenienced, and the world is watching and…I’m sorry—”

Amber kissed him.

Oh. She does feel better.Levi took it all as she held him by the collar. She came in deep and hard; he felt her unsaid words,doubts, and emotions in the kiss. After a while, his eyes closed, and he accepted what followed.

Amber stopped herself and smiled at him. “I think you’re the only person who’s ever read my mind.”

Levi could not believe this was happening. She put her hands on his chest. “This whole debacle was so stupid but deep down I’m glad it happened.” Amber flipped some hair off her shoulder, butterflies making rounds in her stomach. “Thank you.” She kissed his cheek.

Levi savored the kiss. “Okay, good.”

“Now get out of here before they call the police and I get fired.” Amber grabbed his arm and pulled him to the door.

Levi always enjoyed her playful side. “Right.” They both laughed as they walked out together.

Chapter 17

The cat was out of the bag and with it came criticism. Opinions were like atoms: everywhere and in daunting numbers. They could be negative, positive, and even neutral. All kinds of people were on top of the news and taking to their keyboards to capture their thoughts. Celebrity gossip stations snatched the opportunity to get ratings, posting videos, and sharing their takes in posts nonstop. The tea was hot, and they were ready to serve it. Was Levi Marks a cheater? How was Fiona? Why had Amber Sheridan lied on her dormant Instagram? Speculations rose but no answers were given. One thing was for sure, though—the world wasdyingfor updates.

Rachel once again paced in her presence, this time inLevi’sliving room. A more appropriate spot for such an activity, given its space. His bright overhead lights and the constant stream of news on the TV made for a high-stimulus environment. Clips of Amber being escorted to the SUV from Riverside Restaurant replayed in succession. Some know-it-all anchor reported this gossip like it was news and not just another fleeting topic to be lost in the abyss of celebrity scandals.

Amber rubbed her knees then eyed Fiona Bazoli. The young multi-award-winning actress sat on her left on Levi’s bright sofa. Next, she turned to Levi on her right. Bazoli’s agent sat at the center table. A bag of popcorn rested in her lap. Oscar took ahandful for himself, keeping to the back as Rachel continued pacing.

Amber couldn’t shake the obvious stares from Fiona. Whether the actress found her irritating or endearing was unknown to her. Either way, it was exciting to be in the presence of an Oscar winner. Never in a million years would she have predicted this as her first encounter with someone so skilled.

“So, everything we handled yesterday has gone down the drain and now a shit storm has spread across Hollywood.” Rachel laid the situation out like a verdict. She had a noticeable twitch in her left eyelid from the stress. Amber couldn’t recall the last time she saw someone so stressed. “Levi Marks,” she said, her arms crossed. “What the actual fuck?!”

“Rachel, I had to!” Levi blurted.

The agent growled audibly. “You had to? Youhadto publicly confess your loverightafter we delivered my-I mean our statement against it?” She walked to the television and pointed to the screen. As if on cue, photos of Levi on set with roses and chocolate appeared.

Oscar covered his face with his hand.

Fiona’s agent, Stacy, rammed a handful of popcorn into her mouth. “Either way, what’s done is done,” she said, voice muffled. Loose popcorn rolled off her lips and messed up the carpet. She kicked them under the couch.

Levi’s eyes narrowed at the mess. He would clean that later. “Exactly, Rachel. I know it went against everything you taught me. I was being stupid and embarrassing and now everyone thinks I’m this awful person but…” He licked his bottom lip and faced Amber.

Amber’s heart lit up, the sparks almost visible between her and Levi.

“For once I don’t care.” As the sentence left his lips, Levi’s relief rushed in. Was that all it took? To openly proclaim this?Was it true? Was he right? Was he shackled no longer? Had Amber rescued him? “I…” He got lost in her doe-shaped eyes. “I don’t care. Hiding was hurting her. Lying about Fiona did the same. I don’t want to hurt Amber.” He took her hand and held it tightly. “I want her to be happy, and I’ll do whatever it takes for that to happen.” He considered these words, and his smile grew wider. Life itself smelled, felt, and looked new. Was it better? He wasn’t sure, but he liked this. Like he had shed his old skin and could finally feel the world again. His face warmed at Amber’s shy smile. “Whatever it takes.”

Amber swiped a stray tear from her eye. “All this change because I said to take a break?” She wished she had something equally poetic to respond with, but Levi had captured her breath and stolen all coherent thoughts. He seemed so blindly in love. Normal guys took breaks to brood and feel sorry for themselves, but Levi had reflected on what led to her decision and his conclusion surprised even her.

Levi laughed shortly. “When you put it like that, it sounds—”

“Hello?!” Rachel clapped in his face to get his attention. The annoyance in her voice poisoned the mood in the room.

Levi scratched his head. “I’m sorry, Rachel—”

“It’s too late for apologies and chastisement.” Stacy Gray finally stood. She tossed her bag of popcorn to Fiona, who remained silent. It had been like this all day with her.

Fiona accepted the snack and popped a few kernels in her mouth. She offered some to Amber.

Amber carefully dipped her hand in the bag and thanked her softly.Does she hate me or what?Sitting among these known names with her face on TV was too much. Messages from Elouise and Conner had yet to be answered but she would get to them once this was handled. Whatever the solution, Amber prayed it would favor Levi the most. People loved him. They couldn’t letthis mishap destroy that. Captain Evolution could lose favor too.Love makes you stupid.

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