Page 67 of The Main Event

“Is it Corey?” Mom asked. Her brow creased in confusion, then she smiled. “You know, he’s been tight-lipped about who he’s seeing, and now I can see why. He and Corey have been friends forever. It’s hard to start dating a friend.” She darted a look toward Rosie. “I know that better than most.”

“Let’s not conflate the two situations,” I argued. “You were married when you and Rosie started being ‘friendly.’” I used the appropriate air quotes. “Your situation was vastly different. Levi and Corey are both single.”

“Yes, but there’s always fear associated with romancing someone you’ve been friends with,” Mom argued. “You don’t want to lose the relationship you already have. It’s just a different form of hating change, something you’re very well familiar with.”

I scowled. “I’m going to make him cry when I’m done with him. Mark it down.”

Mom chuckled. “Somehow, I think the two of you are going to be fine. Now, tell me about this Jaxson.”

“Jax. He goes by Jax.”

“Like the guy onSons of Anarchy?”

“He’s nothing like that guy.” I was sullen, and not for the reasons I was anticipating. “He’s a good guy. He’s just not the guy for me. I’m sorry to disappoint.”

“Are you sure about that?” Dad pressed. “I mean…you seem awfully worked up about a guy who you say you don’t care about.”

Sadly, I was no longer certain how I felt about all of it. All I knew was that my feelings were all over the place. How was I supposed to deal with this?

17

SEVENTEEN

“So, what do you plan to do with the hotel?”

Levi had barely settled in the chair next to me on the Finz patio—it was still warm enough to enjoy it as long as you wore layers—when he started grilling me.

“I don’t know yet.” I practically growled the response. I wasn’t trying to be mean, and I understood why the workers were concerned, but I still didn’t have an answer for them. “My degree is not in hotel management.”

“So?” Levi’s face was blank. “You don’t need a degree in hotel management. You have us.”

“Did Daisy put you up to this?” I couldn’t stop myself from mentioning her name. I told myself that I was going to start thinking of her as Ms. Reynolds, but that only made me imagine her taking filthy dictation from a prime spot on my lap.

“Yup.” Levi didn’t even pretend to play it coy. “She’s worked up.”

“I’m sure the new owners would keep her on. She’s too valuable for them not to.”

“Something you had to find out the hard way.”

“Yes, well…” I wasn’t proud of how I’d handled things with Daisy. There was nothing I could do about it now but acknowledge my mistake. “She’s a good worker. I’ll make sure I include that in any reports.”

“So, you’re going to sell.” Levi’s expression was hard to read. Was he happy about it? Was he sad? I had no way of telling. His poker face was impeccable.

“Do you want another pickle martini?” Corey asked as he leaned between us. I’d only met him twice now but found him to be a lot of fun both times. Plus, despite the fact that they weren’t being overt, it was obvious that there was something going on between him and Levi. They ran their fingers down each other’s arms and backs when they thought nobody was looking. They had small smiles reserved for each other. Sometimes when they snagged gazes, it was as if they were the only people in the room.

Kind of like how you feel when you and Daisy catch each other’s eye.I tamped down my inner voice—it had been loud as hell of late—and kept my focus on Levi. “I already told you that I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know how many different ways I can say that. If I knew, I would tell you.”

Levi didn’t look convinced. “I’ll have another pickle martini,” he said to Corey. “So will he.” He inclined his head toward me.

“Actually, I want something else.” I drained the rest of my drink. “This is good, but I can’t drink it all night. Can you get me a Jack and Coke?”

Corey wrinkled his nose. “That’s such an alpha drink. Are you an alpha?”

The question threw me. “As opposed to what?”

“As opposed to a beta,” Corey replied.

“I’m not sure what you’re getting at,” I hedged. In truth, I had a vague idea. I wanted him to spell it out for me though.

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