Page 15 of Another Postcard

“Absolutely!” His eyes brightened.

“With garlic butter sauce and fresh bread?”

“Hell yeah!”

I snickered and patted his cheek. “Still no.”

He looked crestfallen for a second, making me feel bad for teasing him. But, just as quickly it was replaced with an even more determined glint. “We are making progress, at least.”

I didn’t respond. He took my hand and walked me all the way to the glass doors where my doorman hurried over to open it for me. “Goodnight, baby,” Levi murmured and kissed my lips briefly.

I started to walk through the door when his voice stopped me. “It doesn’t matter what language you use, Brooklynn. I still won’t quit until I convince you to say yes.”

I look back at him over my shoulder and my voice is a little sad when I say, “Vorrei, ma non posso.” Levi’s jaw drops, and I leave him there in his stunned state.

I wish I could, but I can’t.

9

Levi

“Dude, she speaks fucking Italian,” I lamented with my face resting in the center of my folded arms on the bar. “Did you know?” I asked in a muffled voice.

“Yes,” Noah confirmed. “She’s fluent. Her sister loved the sound of the language, so Brooklynn learned it to be able to talk to her in Italian.”

I groaned. “It’s sexy as hell.”

Noah sighed and clipped me on the back of my head. “What the fuck?” I yelped, lifting my head and glaring at my best friend as I rubbed the wounded spot.

He shoved a pint at me. “Drink.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue, so I did as I was told.

“I’ve got to tell you, Levi. I was really worried about you being a complete asshole. I figured you would seduce her, get bored when the chase was done, and break her heart.”

“Don’t hold back, jackass,” I grunted. I debated the merits of putting my fist in his face, then decided I didn’t want to take the chance of being thrown out of one of our favorite bars.

“Levi, I need you to fight all of your natural instincts to speak, shut the fuck up, and listen.”

I flipped him off.Sign language, it’s universal.

“The point is, you seem different with this girl. It’s not just the chase keeping you interested in her. So, I’m going to give you a little gift. Don’t fuck me over with it,” he growled.

I perked up. A little. I was too drunk to muster more.

“One, we are going to draft a new contract for her. Sheryl’s decided to get out of the game for now, and I want to offer Brooklynn a permanent spot with Stone Butterfly.”

My head turned and I opened my mouth to ask why this would help me, but Noah cuffed me on the head again. I didn’t speak, but my glare promised retribution.

“Brooklynn is worried about being kicked to the curb if things don’t work out between you, right?” I stared at him deadpan.What? This was me, not speaking.

Noah looked at the ceiling as though praying for patience, then he took a long pull from his bottle and continued, “I’ll have the lawyer draft a contract that makes it impossible for you to be the cause for her dismissal.”

My head slowly turned to look at him again. I was paying attention now.

“Just be patient while I get the kinks worked out.” His voice was thoughtful and he was twisting his lips between his thumb and forefinger.

“Can I speak now?” I sneered without any real malice.

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