Page 135 of Let's Get Textual

Like the first time I came here, there’s nothing special about it. It’s plain and blends in with every other building on the street.

In fact, it’s like it doesn’t exist, like the dark red door leads to nowhere.

But I know it doesn’t.

I know it leads to someplace magical where you can forget all your troubles and just…be.

In five, four, three, two, one…

The sign illuminates.

Level Up is officially open to the night crew, and tonight, I’m part of it.

I push open my car door and approach the building. My palms are sweating and with the way I’m perspiring, I’m finding it difficult to believe it’s December.

Hand on the door, I pause.

This is it, the moment I’ve been waiting days for.

He’s going to be behind that door, and he’ll either forgive me or forget me.

I’m hoping for the former, and refuse to accept anything else.

Taking a deep breath, I push it open and step into the noise.

“Welcome to Level Up!” the now familiar barista calls from behind the counter. “Your usual?”

I nod, and he busies himself making my drink.

My eyes fall to the Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man table we occupied the first time we came here.

There he sits, eyes on me.

I can’t breathe. My throat goes dry, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth.

In the grand scheme of things, it hasn’t been that long since I last laid eyes on him, but I swear, my body awakens for the first time in too long as his green eyes rake over me.

When he finally meets my gaze, his signature dimples appear, and my knees threaten to cave on me.

“Order up for Delia!”

Pulling myself from his stare, I grab my drink and slide the barista his money.

“Keep the change.” I turn around and am surprised to find the table empty.

I scan the room, and he’s not here. Did I dream him?

Defeat cascades over me. My shoulders slump inward and I can feel the tears coming on.

Home. I need to go home.

As I’m about to turn, I feel it.

It’s him.

“I’ll play you for a kiss.”

A tingle runs straight down my spine and the shiver it leaves behind is visible.

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