Page 16 of Seduction in the Mountains

"No, man." I sigh. "I could use all the feedback I can get on this one."

Alex nods but sits a few stools away.

Levi sits next to me. "Officially, we don't have a policy. But it's best to avoid it." He pauses. "If possible."

I look at him now. "What's the school's policy about fallingin lovewith a student's guardian?"

"Cole." Levi chuckles uncomfortably before sighing. "You just met her, man." He shrugs when I look at him in confusion. "It's a small town, and Betty knows, so word has gotten around." I shake my head, but Levi pats the bar to get my attention. "Don't get me wrong. You have great taste. Miranda is amazing. She's funny and beautiful and smart, but you don’t know her yet. So pump the brakes a bit before you start declaring your love—"

"We went to college together," I interrupt.

Levi pauses, furrowing his brow.

Alex moves over a stool, leaning in to hear me. "You dated Miranda in college?"

I shake my head. "One date. Did you grow up with her too?"

He shakes his head. "No, I'm not from here. Moved to town with my now ex-wife about six years ago. But everybody knows Miranda. Best coffee in town."

"Why only one date?" Levi asks.

I shake my head, sighing. "Apparently, she got the news about her parents' accident the next morning."

Levi's eyes widen with surprise. "Holy shit, Cole. Terrible timing to fall in love."

I grunt out a sharp laugh. "I was in love with her for a year before I got up the nerve to ask her out. Miranda was this bubbly, funny art student. Friends with everyone. I was barely nineteen. Terrified of rejection. I found every excuse I could to hang out with her freshman year. I packed up in May and went home after saying no more than two words to her. The summer before sophomore year, I psyched myself up and decided to ask her out. No big deal." I shake my head again. "It still took me until October to do it."

Levi gives me a sincere look of empathy and asks, "Why didn't you stay in touch with her? Or did you?"

"She snuck out of my room. I woke up the next morning and went to her dorm to take her to breakfast, but she was gone. Social media accounts down. She ghosted me like it was her job to disappear." I sigh.

I take another sip of my beer, and it's a few moments before I realize Levi hasn't said a word. Turning to gauge his reaction, I find him looking at me, but his expression is blank. He has a sort of half smile frozen on his face.

I tap his arm. "Levi?"

He explodes like a grenade went off in his brain. "She didwhat?"

I look around as the entire bar quiets from his sudden outburst, everybody staring at the typically unflappable Levi getting pretty damn flapped.

I lean into him. "Man, it's cool. We were young."

"No fucking excuse, Cole!"

I stare at him, simultaneously thrilled that somebody appreciates my pain and frustration but also wondering if this is still about Miranda and me.

Then it dawns on me.

"Levi, are you in love with Miranda?" I ask through gritted teeth. Closing my eyes, I wait for him to respond. How much damage will I do to our relationship if I knock his teeth in? A lot, I'm guessing.

"What? No." He grabs my arm and shakes his head. "I have never been and never will be in love with Miranda."

"Okay," I say slowly. "But you seem a little...invested."

"Ghosting a man is not okay, Cole." He gives his head a hard shake. "And it's about time they know it." On that note, he downs his beer and takes off for the front door.

"Wait, Levi!"

I start after him and realize neither of us has paid for the beers.

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