Page 3 of Levi

“Oh no, it’s all yours. Please, take a seat.” She nervously nibbled on her lip, hoping she wouldn’t make a fool of herself. She was completely infatuated with him.

“Thanks.” He pulled off his gloves and stuffed them in his pockets as he sat down next to her, and she couldn’t help but breathe in his aftershave.

“What can I get for you two?” Deidra asked.

“I’ll have my usual and a southern fried chicken salad to go, please,” Kinley replied.

“Got it. And for you, Levi?”

“Just my usual to go, please. Thank you.”

“I’ll bring them right over.”

Levi turned toward Kinley. “Are you hungry?”

She laughed. “No, the salad is actually for Addison.”

“I had a feeling. I was just teasing you.”

Kinley remembered her conversation with Addison about asking Levi to take her to pick out a Christmas tree. She took a deep breath. Should she bring it up now?

“Actually, Levi...” She fidgeted with the napkin dispenser.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think you could possibly... would you, um...”

“For God’s sake, woman, spit it out,” he said with a grin.

“If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind taking me to get a Christmas tree?” she asked nervously.

He chuckled. “It took you long enough.”

Kinley gasped. “Long enough for what?”

“To ask me,” he replied.

“You knew?”

“I had a feeling.”

“Then why didn’t you suggest it?” she growled.

He laughed and she noticed a dimple peek in his cheek. “I wanted to see how long it would take you.”

“Ooh, men,” she muttered.

“Kinley, I have no problem taking you to get a tree.”

“I would like that, Levi.”

“It’s settled then. What about Saturday?”

“I have work until noon, but any time afterthat works for me.”

“I can pick you up at one.”

“That sounds great.” She smiled at him and their eyes met before his lips lifted into a smirk. “What?”

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