Page 18 of The Main Event

“I don’t think you guys have to worry about Jax seeing the magic in Daisy,” Levi interjected out of nowhere. “He already sees it. Trust me.”

“Oh, really?” Mom’s smile was back. “Does he have a crush on our little Daisy?”

“No,” I answered automatically.

“I don’t know if ‘crush’ is the right word,” Levi hedged. “He doesn’t seem like the ‘crush’ sort. I do think he would like tothrow her up against the wall, rip off her underwear, and grunt and groan like a god, though.”

My face started to burn thanks to the images he’d just put into my mind. Thankfully, when I’d fallen forward, all the blood had rushed to my face, and I had an excuse for my sweaty state when I sat up again. “That is a ridiculous lie,” I said when I was reasonably assured that I could speak without squealing.

“It’s the truth,” Levi fired back. “I’ve caught him checking out your butt more than once.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.” Levi nodded sagely for my mother’s benefit. “He wants to start cupping you, too. He’s too much of a gentleman to do it without permission, though.”

“Well, isn’t that interesting?” Mom looked downright tickled.

“No, it’s not interesting,” I countered. “He’s making that up.”

“Shush now.” Mom waved me off. “What about Daisy?” she asked Levi. “Does she want to start cupping things too?”

“No, I do not!” I barked.

They both pretended that I wasn’t present.

“I caught her looking at his butt a few times,” Levi confirmed.

“That’s because he’s an ass,” I growled.

“Interesting.” Mom rubbed her hands together. “Do you think all this ‘you make too much money’ and ‘I want him to fail’ stuff is the two of them fighting their feelings?”

“We’ve been in the same room together a grand total of three times,” I complained.

“I think it’s too soon to start picking out wedding dresses,” Levi replied. “I can’t get a good read on this guy. I do think he’s in over his head, and the fact that George left the hotel to him and cut everybody else out of his will is telling. George was a good judge of character.”

“Hence Tammy,” I drawled.

Levi planted his hand on my face and playfully knocked me over. He never looked away from my mother. “I think there’s potential here. Daisy obviously isn’t ready to admit it, though. I guarantee Jax isn’t either. They rub each other the wrong way.”

“Ah, but eventually they’re going to start wanting to rub each other the right way,” Mom surmised. “I see where your head is at, and I like it.”

Levi beamed at her. “I’ll keep you in the loop.” They bumped fists.

When Mom finally looked up, she found me glowering at her. “Why are you so crabby?”

“Seriously?” People complained that I tended to be overdramatic. I felt I was just dramatic enough. “You’re making up fake marriage plans with a guy who wants to fire me. There’s nothing between us, no matter what Levi says. He’s just messing with you because he’s bored.”

“Is that true?” Mom gave Levi a serious look. “Are you messing with me, or do you truly believe it?”

“I believe there’s an attraction,” Levi replied. “Whether that will amount to anything, though, I can’t say.” He held out his hands. “All I can do is watch for signs of happily ever after.”

“I’m going to kill you,” I growled at him when Mom clapped her hands. “You’re getting her all worked up for something that’s never going to happen.”

“Or I’m getting her primed for a fun time,” Levi fired back. “You might not want to admit that you were checking him out, but I saw it.”

“He’s my boss. On top of that, he’s kind of a douche.”

“You’ve dated douches before.”

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