Page 52 of Stroke of Fate

“And how many excuses have you had?” I inwardly groan. “I mean…I’m not accusing you of being a serial dater or anything, not that this is a date. But you know—uh, never mind, forget I said anything.” I press my lips together before my blabbing gets me into a deeper hole than I’ve already dug for myself.

I don’t know what’s gotten into me.

Clearly, I’ve dropped my brain somewhere between here and the apartment.

Levi watches me with an amused expression. “You’re the only other person I’ve brought.”

Clearing my throat, I push past the embarrassment and get this night back on track.

“I’m excited to try the food,” I say, pushing the glass door open before he can do it for me.

The hostess seats us at a table set for two at the back of the restaurant and hands us menus before she leaves. Not long after that, a server stops by to introduce himself and fill our glasses with water.

Once he’s gone, I take out my notebook and pen. “So, about this project.”

“Ah, business already?” Levi teases, and even though it’s at my expense, I’m glad the awkward slip-up from outside didn’t follow us inside.

“That’s what we’re here for, right?” I smile, clicking my pen.

“Right,” he echoes.

It’s almost too easy to get sidetracked around Levi, and I’ll have to make a conscious effort to keep that from happening.

I give him a quick overview of the project and how he fits into it, stopping only briefly when the server refills our drinks and takes our orders.

"As you can see, we'll be spending some time together over the next few months. I'd like us to at least try to be friends." I settle back in my chair, satisfied with the speech I rehearsed earlier while getting ready.

When he remains quiet, I fiddle with my pen, worried my word vomit is making him have second thoughts.

“If you’ve changed your mind about volunteering for this, I’d understand, but it would be better to say it now while there’sstill time to find someone else,” I say, giving him an out if he needs it.

He stares at me from across the table, his expression far too serious for our conversation.

“No, trust me, I’m all in.”

“So, you’re fine with everything I just said?” I press.

“For the most part,” he replies, straightening the cutlery on the table.

“What does that even mean?”

“Nothing.” He glances up and smiles. “Tell me what the next steps are.”

We’re interrupted when the server arrives with our food. Levi ordered the steak and broccoli with a double heaping of mashed potatoes, and I went with the classic salmon and vegetables. Everything looks delicious, and Levi digs in immediately.

Watching him devouring his meal like he hasn’t eaten in days is amusing. Noticing my attention on him, he stops, and I swear a blush creeps up his cheeks, but with the low lighting, it’s difficult to tell.

“Sorry, swimming burns a lot of calories.”

I wave off his apology, still smiling. “You don’t have to apologize. I don’t think I’ve seen someone so happy over a piece of meat.”

I watch him cut off another piece, the knife gliding through the tender steak. But instead of bringing it to his mouth like I thought he would, he points it at me.

“Here, try this piece, and you’ll see why.”

I stare at the fork for a beat. Quickly deciding that overthink this is silly. I lean in closer, wrapping my lips around the fork.A fork that was in Levi’s mouth only moments ago.The thought sends heat blooming in my lower belly.

He watches me with hooded eyes, his gaze never wavering from my mouth. I chew slowly, savoring the taste.

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