Page 55 of Tempting Levi
“With the financial crisis we’re in, I’ve dropped the revenue earnings for my brothers and me to zero and cut our salaries until we come up with a solution. I won’t touch employee salaries or bonuses. No point if we can turn things around. My brothers and I can take the hit. Our workers shouldn’t have to.”
Emily just stared. That wasn’t the philosophy of a businessman. It was the voice of a man who’d spent his life in the service of others. Levi was still a firefighter at heart.
She swallowed and looked away. “You’re a good man, Levi.”
His gaze pinned her, desperate and pained. “I don’t feel like a good man after last night. For hurting you. If things were different…”
Her lips pressed together in what was meant to be a smile. “But they’re not.” One of the staff looked over and raised her hand in silent plea. “I’d better go. There’s more work to do. Enjoy the party.”
She moved to pass him, and he reached out, touching her arm lightly. He stared into her eyes. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Lisa chose the dress.”
“Your beauty has nothing to do with what you’re wearing, though you make the dress look good. You know this isn’t about you, right?”
“Isn’t it?” Emily walked away before she started crying. Damn him! Why did he have to stick the knife in and twist when she was already feeling vulnerable? He’d said they couldn’t be together. Then he followed it up with how beautiful she was.
No man looked at her the way Levi did. But she refused to let it slow her down. Not now, anyway. Later, maybe, when she could drown her sorrows in the privacy of her apartment and a sleeve of cookies.
Guests started pouring in, and Emily plastered on a smile and greeted them, showing people to seats and pointing out the open bar.
Both of Adam’s parents had passed, but business acquaintances and family friends congratulated him, gripping his shoulder fondly or hugging him, in the case of the women. And then there were Hayden’s family and friends mingling with the wealthier Cade connections.
Hayden’s mother had been a part of the local school district and now she was a part of Reno’s educational system. Between the two of them, Hayden and Adam had dozens of connections in the community. The mix of upper-crust Lake Tahoe with the middle-class population filled the room with a surprising amount of chatter and laughter.
Hayden was classy, but down to earth. And though Adam was the ritziest of the Cade brothers, his fiancée clearly brought out a warm side in him. It showed not only in their interactions, but in how they were able to bring friends and family from different social classes together for a lively party.
When it came down to it, Lake Tahoe was a small community, and most people either knew or knew of one another. Which could make things incestuous. Like how Emily had fallen in love with her sister’s ex-boyfriend.
Love… She pressed her fingers to her temples and rubbed. This would pass—her feelings for Levi and the awkwardness between them. It had to.
Dinner had been served and dessert was about to come out. Another round of drinks was being dispensed as people mingled and waited for Club Tahoe’s grand dessert tray to make an appearance. Emily made her way to one of the open doors and took in a deep breath of the cool evening air. The party was nearly coming to an end.
“Great job tonight.”
She swung around to find Hunt behind her. She glanced over his shoulder, and sure enough, Levi was looking in their direction with a scowl.
She sighed. Levi didn’t want her, but he didn’t want her with anyone else, either. Or maybe he just didn’t want her with Hunt. Levi and his youngest brother had every reason for their contentious relationship, but it didn’t make things easier at work.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
Hunt smiled—a smile that could seduce the strongest woman. And it did nothing for Emily, because Hunt wasn’t Levi. Would never be him. If anything, she felt mildly annoyed. This was the guy who’d betrayed his brother over Lisa, and Emily was pretty sure Hunt wouldn’t mind screwing over Levi again.
“I wanted to see how things are going with the children’s program. I heard you got Levi to agree to it.”
A new voice joined the conversation. “What’s this about?”
Emily looked back and saw Levi standing a few feet away.
“Didn’t she tell you?” Hunt said.
What was Hunt doing? He’d made her promise to not tell Levi that the idea had come from him. And now that she’d grown closer to Levi, she realized what a sticky situation that put her in.
“I asked Emily to pitch the children’s program to you. I knew you’d never agree to it if it came from me. Figured it would go over better coming from her, since you have a special fondness for the Wright sisters.”
“You’re an asshole,” Levi said.
“So you’re not fond of Emily?”
