I narrow my eyes. “Bullshit. You wanted to stir the pot because you can’t just let anything go.”
His stupid, perfect jaw ticks. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“We aren’t friends, Levi. We’ve never been friends. There’s no reason for us to associate at all, but you just have to keep pushing. Picking on your best friend’s little sister like it’s your job to remind me how far beneath you I am.”
His eyes pop wide again. “You don’t know me at all if that’s what you think,” he says through gritted teeth. “And you don’t want to know me. Everything you just said is a story you created to make yourself feel better.”
I don’t know why his words make my heart hurt. And I don’t want to know. “You’re good, Levi Sullivan. The consummate charmer, always saying and doing the right thing, but there’s no substance behind it. You—”
“Next in line, please.”
Dani’s voice breaks through my tirade, and I look around to see everyone staring at us. Most of them are people I’ve known all my life. Every single one of them looks shocked and dismayed.
I’ve acted horribly in public, and everyone’s seen it. My eyes burn, and my throat goes tight.
Levi, though, he smiles like he’s never been happier. Like he’s just gotten everything he wants. “Go ahead and place your order, Gentry. We can finish our movie line challenge later.”
I stare at him, confused. “What the he—?”
Levi looks away from me and smiles bigger at the crowd. “She hates to lose. Anyone else enjoy this game? You have to speak in lines from movies, and the conversation still has to make sense. It’s our favorite.”
I’m no less confused. He could have easily made me look like the bad guy. He’s always been able to get away with twisting a situation to his advantage. Lord knows, I’ve seen him do it enough times when he and my brother got into trouble as kids.
He’s only doing this to save his own face. That has to be it.
I smile, but it feels forced and fake. “Such a fun game.” Before I can be called out as a liar, I spin and face Dani Holiday, who’s standing behind the counter and looking at me with a worried frown.
Dani moved back to town a little over a year ago, and she’s a few years older than me, so I didn’t know her when she lived here as a kid. She always has a smile for me, but not today. “You okay?” she asks, clearly not buying Levi’s story about a movie line game.
I nod. “I’ll be better after one of your cinnamon buns and coffee.”
Finally, she smiles. Behind her, her pet skunk Skidmark lets out a sigh and sinks deeper into sleep on his tiny bed. “I can do that,” she says. “Three of each?”
It’s a Saturday. She knows I’ve either got my sisters with me or will be taking something home to them. “Three buns. Two coffees. And one hot chocolate.”
“This, too.” Emily pops up and slides four books onto the counter.
“Em, I said one book.”
She looks up at me, batting her eyelashes. She knows how hard it is for me to say no when all she’s asking for is books that I know she’ll treasure and read over and over again. “There’s not enough time to narrow it down to just one and—”
“I’ll get them for you.” Levi stretches an arm between us and hands a plastic card to Dani. His skin isn’t even brushing mine, but he’s against my back and my whole body lights up with the ridiculous, stupid, hormone-related desire I feel whenever he’s in my vicinity. “To make up for the scene.” His breath whispers against my skin as he says that last part just for me, and I shiver despite the tight grip I’ve got on my hormones.
“I’ve got it,” I say. I will not let Levi Sullivan do anything nice for me if I can help it. I’m not letting him off the hook that easily.
But Dani’s already swiping the card, not even looking at me, and I know exactly what is going on. This is pity. Levi’s paying because he feels sorry for me and, like the rest of the town, he and Dani can see how hard I’m failing at being a guardian to my sisters.
I’d much rather be succeeding on my own than need anyone’s help. But if I turn down Levi’s offer, it’ll cause a bigger scene, and someone else from this crowd of locals will just offer to pay in his stead.
Even though financially, we’re managing okay. Thanks, in large part, to my brother’s help.
“Thank you.” I glance over my shoulder to find Levi’s face way too close to my own. My breath catches. His brown eyes have tiny flecks of bronze in them, and his lips are full, soft and way too kissable.
“You’re welcome,” he says, his voice rough.
The noise of the surrounding store vanishes as I stare at his mouth forming those words. But then that mouth tips up in a satisfied smirk, and I remember where I am and exactly who I’m dealing with.
I turn back to Dani and accept the bag and the tray with three cups that she hands over to me. “Thank you, Dani. Have a good day.”
