Page 62 of Going the Distance
“Um…”
Levi caught my eye and said pointedly, “You know, I need a new suit jacket. You guys got any recommendations for where to go?”
Ignoring him, Olly said, “Yeah, c’mon, Elle. You’re single now. You could, like, have your pick of guys. We can come up with someone for you to ask now that you definitely won’t be going with No— Ow!” He broke off to scowl at Lee, who’d just elbowed him.
I was grateful for Lee and Levi trying to intervene and spare my feelings, but said, “I figured I’d just go with you guys. Gostag.Or, like, doe, I guess. Is that a thing? Going doe? I’m definitely making that a thing.”
A few of them laughed; then Olly piped up again with, “Hey, Levi, you don’t have a date either, though, do you?”
He shook his head. “Uh, no, actually.”
I pulled a face at him, my eyes bugging. “Wait, what? I’ve seen atleastfive girls ask you to the dance.”
He shrugged. “I figured it was easier to turn them down than try to explain I wasn’t really looking fora date,you know? I’m cool with not going, or just going with you guys.”
Lee caught my eye, his mouth pulling and eyebrows rising slightly as he glanced at Levi, as if to say,Well?
And, honestly, I didn’t hate the idea.
I stood up and walked over to where Levi was sitting between Cam and Warren on the couch, picking my way carefully through the plates and glasses and cutlery.
I bent down on one knee in front of Levi, ignoring Lee snickering, and picked up one of his hands in both of mine, putting on my most serious expression. “Levi Monroe, will you do me the honor of being my date to the dance?”
“Oh my,” he drawled in a high-pitched Southern accent. “Golly gee, ma’am, I’d just love to.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Don’t humiliate me here. I’m trying to be cute.”
“So am I.”
I rolled my eyes, and Levi laughed. “Sure, Elle, I’ll go to the dance with you.”
I fake-swooned backward—and lost my balance, falling into some egg-fried rice.
