Page 23 (1/2)

"I have some cousins in the city, but e"

"Oh, okay, at least that’s not so far"

"Very true Do you ood practice for starting school in the fall Even though I’ to be about two hours away, I don’t want to be that girl who goes hoe in the same city I’ wrong with needing to see your mom once in a while"

"I know; it’sher words carefully "If I can give you any advice about starting college, it’s that you need to do what’s right for you and ignore what anyone else thinks, because in the end you are the only one who has to live your life"

I thought over her words "Thanks Natalie, I’ll keep that in mind"

"And if you ever need so since I was in your shoes"

"Thanks, that’s really nice of you to offer"

"You ready to get back to work?"

"Sure Thanks for lunch, it was fun"

"We need to do this more often" She s for the clock to hit five signaling the end ofat the elevators when Levi walked back into the lobby, this ti before heading over As tempted as I was to disappear into the back office and avoid hi to run

"Hello there, beautiful Hoas your day?" Levi leaned an elbow against the counter directly in front ofat us froh"

"Did you have company for this nice lunch or was it solo?

"I had company" I decided to let hiiving his stare right back to him Levi turned around to see what held , Levi drew in a breath He evidently thought my lunch ith Alex, and I decided not to correct his assuht?"

"No, thanks" I turned to head into the office

A hand on my shoulder made me jump I had expected Levi to take the hint and leave, not follow me back Obviously, I was delusional This was Levi

"A? What’s up?"

"You’re not actually allowed back here you know"

Ignoringout? I thought you had fun yesterday"

"Yeah, it was fun But that doesn’t ht"

"Okay, what happened? Is it hi at Alex

"No!"

Levi visibly relaxed "Then what is it?"