Page 149 of The Fake Out Flex

"Are you worried?"

"A little, yeah. He's my best friend. You're his little sister. He could get kinda weird about it."

"How would you feel if the situation were reversed? If Levi was dating Dawn?"

"Very weird given that she's married."

Evie rolls her eyes. "Pretend that she wasn't. Would it be strange for you?"

"I don't know." I shrug, reaching the front porch. "Probably at first it would be. But once I got over the initial surprise, I guess I'd be fine with it. Levi's an awesome guy, and as much as I don't want to think about my sister's romantic life…ever, I'd want her to be with someone awesome. So yeah, I'd find a way to be cool with it. Eventually."

"Well, then, there's your answer. I'm sure Levi will be cool with it."

"You're sure Levi will be cool with what?" the man of the moment asks.

I missed the front door opening, but there he is, leaning against the doorframe in ripped jeans and a Metallica T-shirt. How long has he been standing there?

"Oh, nothing," Evie dismisses, dashing up the porch steps to give her brother a hug.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with your so-called fake relationship, would it?" he asks me before giving me a hug.

And he hugs me hard.

Real hard.

Way harder than usual.

And he's not letting go.

Oh, man, is he trying to suffocate me by hugging me to death? Is that a thing?

"What do you mean so-called fake relationship?" Evie asks, once he relieves me from his grip, and I'm…I'm still breathing.

Maybe he injected something into my skin through my jacket? No. I'm being paranoid. If Levi is going to kill me for dating his sister, I'm sure he'll do it like a man and kill me to my face. Yeah, that makes much more sense.

"Oh, come on, you guys." He closes the door behind him to give the three of us a bit more privacy. "When did you crack?"

His eyes dance between Evie and me, a mischievous glint sparking within them. He's enjoying this way too much.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, playing dumb, but inside, my heart rate is skyrocketing.

It would kill me if this great thing happening between me and Evie cost me my friendship with him.

He pats me on the shoulder. "Come on, man. You've been getting heart eyes every time I mention Evie's name for years. And whenever I talked about anyone she was dating, you'd get all grouchy and silent. Correction, more grouchy and more silent than normal."

A giggle escapes out of Evie.

Levi faces her. "Oh, and don't think this is all one-sided either, missy. Your crush on Fraser is as impossible to ignore as the inflatable T-Rex costume you wore for Halloween when you were ten."

"I was going through a dinosaur phase," she explains to me while smacking Levi's arm.

I step in closer, standing squarely between my best friend and my girlfriend. "What are you saying, Levi?"

I'm pretty sure I already know but I want him to confirm it.

"What I'm saying is you guys are meant for each other. Why else do you think I set this whole thing up?"

"Because you love to meddle," Evie and I respond in unison.

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