Page 94 of The Main Event

“He’s not going alone,” Levi volunteered. He’d just arrived for his shift, a good fifteen minutes early so I couldn’t give him a hard time about gossiping over coffee with Sheryl behind the desk, and he looked amused.

“How do you know?” I challenged.

“Because there’s a black Lexus out front, complete with a driver, and when I asked if he was waiting for a guest, he said he was waiting for you.”

“That doesn’t mean I won’t be alone for my trip.”

Levi’s smile was smug. “Yeah, when I stopped by Daisy’s place last night to see if she wanted to go out, she had a million outfits strewn across her bed. She was clearly choosing something for a date.”

He was trying to goad me. There was no doubt about it.

“Good for Daisy.” I started toward the door again. I thought I was going to make a clean escape. Levi followed me outside, though. “Geez,” I complained when I felt him closing in on my back. “Are you about to get weird?”

“Maybe.” Levi didn’t look bothered about my tone. “She’s my best friend.”

I waited because I knew he wasn’t done.

“She’s the most important person in my life and has been for as long as I can remember,” he continued.

“Is this where you warn me not to hurt your friend?” I asked.

“I know she’s an adult. I know she can make her own choices. I’m just afraid for her.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“I see the way she looks at you. Even that first day, when you irritated her, she was attracted to you.” He adjusted his stance. “I think, deep down, you’re a good guy. I actually like you.”

“There’s a but in there somewhere,” I prodded.

“But…” He dragged out the one word and grinned. His expression wasn’t entirely friendly, though. “I’m afraid she’s going to fall in love with you and then you’re going to sell the hotel and return to your family.”

Deep down, that’s what I was afraid of too. “I don’t want to hurt her. In fact, I would never purposely hurt her. I’m still trying to figure things out with the hotel.”

“And I get that. I think maybe you’re falling for Daisy, too. I see it when you look at her.”

“Did you see it before Tammy saw her coming out of my room?”

“Yes.” There was no guile when Levi responded. “I knew something was going on.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I’m dealing with my own situation right now.”

“You mean Corey.”

He scowled. “This place is so full of gossip. It’s annoying.”

“Daisy just wants you to be happy.”

“I know. I want that for her more than anything.”

“I won’t hurt her.”

“Not on purpose,” Levi agreed. “Figure out what you want, dude. If it’s to leave this place, then let her go.”

“And if I don’t want to let her go?”

“Then grow a spine and stand up to your father, because I heard what happened yesterday morning. Tammy has been talking about it nonstop. I think you are the man I want for Daisy. You haven’t realized it yet, though.”

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