Page 44 of Just Between Us

But they are already zooming off to their platform. I stand there, watching them disappear into the crowds, that familiar ache of missing them settling inside me again.

Our project budget is approved on Monday morning and the entire team, and I have lunch with our manager to celebrate. Around four p.m. when the sun has already begun to set and the sky takes on a gloomy dark grey, my phone vibrates, and Levi’s name appears on my phone.

Levi: Any plans tonight?

I look at the message, wondering if they want me over. I bite my lip. Last time I saw them was two days ago.

Kai: Nope, just me and a few episodes of Realtors of Orange County

Levi: Sounds exciting. Can I tempt you with something else?

I am typing out my response when Levi appears in front of me. He’s wearing his glasses today and they make him lose his edge a little with his tattoos hidden under a knit sweater and his hair somehow always perfectly messy.

“You’re wearing your glasses,” I say in greeting.

He laughs quietly. “Oh yeah, didn’t have time to put in my contacts this morning.”

I look around. There are a few people scattered around the office but none of them within earshot. “What did you want to tempt me with?” I ask.

“A first look at Emiko Fukuhara’s Menacing Times exhibition?”

I look at him blankly. I have no idea who that is. I don’t know the first thing about art.

Levi chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the sides. “She's famous for how she manipulates light to create art. Lots of people go to her exhibitions although I suspect it's mostly for the aesthetic Instagram pictures.”

“And you want to go with me?” I ask slowly.

Levi shrugs a shoulder. “Cole has a client dinner, and he hates this sort of stuff anyway so yes I do want you to come with me.” He suddenly looks unsure and it’s odd on his face. Levi constantly oozes confidence. He’s rarely unsure about anything. “Unless it doesn’t sound interesting to you then that’s totally fine.”

I want to laugh at that. I think I’d watch paint dry if I was doing it with him. A strange feeling rises inside me, one I know I have to stamp down before it has time to take root.

I look at my screen and then back at him. He bites his lower lip and I have the sudden urge to kiss it. That’s probably my dick thinking. We haven’t had sex in what feels like forever and my body feels deprived. That has to be it.

I clear my throat and nod. “I’d love to.”

Levi’s eyes light up. “Great,” he says. “Meet downstairs at five? It’s a twelve-minute walk at most. We can leave our stuff with Daniel.”

It’s the opening night of Menacing Times and men and women dressed in eclectic clothes move around the gallery area where the exhibition is being held. There aren’t that many people, maybe twenty at most. There is champagne at the entrance, along with a board explaining the inspiration for the exhibition. I skim the writing about the artist and the purpose of the exhibition as the trill of laughter and warmth surrounds us.

A young man with pale skin appears in front of us. His name tag says Tom.

“Good evening, Mr. Bellamy. Welcome to the exhibition. Shall I take you and your guest’s coats?”

I steal a glance at Levi who doesn’t seem at all surprised that he’s being greeted personally. No one else seems to have someone there to take their coat.

“That’d be great, thank you,” Levi says with a smile. I notice Tom's neck flush pink.

His eyes fall on me, and he quickly recovers before stepping aside to allow a guest to move past him. “Can I offer you some champagne? Wine?”

“None for me. Kai?” Levi looks at me expectantly, but I shake my head. Drinking doesn’t seem like a good idea tonight.

“No, thanks.”

“Excellent. Christian says he’ll see you at the end,” Tom says. “So, please enjoy the exhibition.”

“Thank you, Tom,” Levi says. “I’ll make sure to let him know that you were really helpful.”

Tom looks like he might implode. His eyes brighten and his lips open slightly. “Oh, um thank you,” he stutters out.

---