Page 32 of Levi

What? I hadn’t told her about any of this because I didn’t want to deal with the backlash since I was engaged to her sister. But Nana isn’t even batting an eye at the two of us being out together; in fact, she almost seems happy about it.

“Show the boy how to bowl a perfect strike, pretty girl,” Delilah, Nana’s best friend, says from behind me.

Damn ladies, always rooting against me.

“Miss Delilah, why are you always out for me?”

“You’re too pretty,” she says with a shrug. “It’s the only way we can keep you humble.”

Shaking my head, I smirk as Quinn takes her spot, bowling ball in hand, the game on the line. But she doesn’t seem worried, and it’s clear when she bowls a perfect strike—right down the middle, each pin flying as she seals her win—that she had no reason to be.

“Damn, Q!” I whistle, earning me a slap upside the head.

“Language.” Nana glares, and Quinn starts laughing.

“Are you ladies bowling?” Quinn asks.

“Yeah, we’re actually in the two lanes next to you,” Delilah says as they all start getting set up.

“Perfect,” Quinn says with a smile, genuinely seeming happy that they’re here. “I’m going to go grab some food. Does anyone want anything?”

“Nachos, please,” my nana says with a smile. “And ice cream.”

“Both?” I ask with a laugh.

“Yes. I want both,” she spits back.

“Yes, ma’am,” Quinn says before heading to order food.

* * *

Spendingthe next few hours bowling with my nana and her friends was not on my list of things to do today, but somehow it’s turned into the best day I’ve had in a long time and I’m bummed it’s coming to an end. Getting Nana and her friends loaded up in their car, I turn to look at Quinn, who’s standing there with the biggest smile on her face. Even though I know we’ll just be going back to my place together, I also know that involves her going to her own bedroom, and I’ll be the first to admit it—I don’t want this day to end yet.

I’ve had so much fun with her, watching her interact with my nana, the patience she had, the way they made each other laugh and smile, and fuck, it threw away every excuse I’ve ever had not to be with her. It was hearing her admit to Quinn that she has Alzheimer’s and was struggling a bit with her memory, something she doesn’t share with anyone, something even I haven’t shared with Quinn, that made me wonder if she really is someone I can trust.

I’d spent years thinking there was no way I would ever find someone I could truly trust; the only people who have never let me down are my grandparents and my best friends, none of whom are a life partner for me. The last time I even considered having a life partner...well we know how that turned out.

I guess if my parents ever were to come back into my life, I can thank them for the trust and abandonment issues.

“Ready to go home?” she asks quietly, shifting on her feet as she watches me, waiting for my answer.

“Not really. Wanna go on a drive first?” I ask nervously, feeling like this is quickly shifting from just friends hanging out into actual date territory. More specifically, like a date where I’m spending time with my fake girlfriend who I’m realizing I wish was my real girlfriend.

Quinn looks down for a moment before looking back up at me with a big smile. “Yes,” she says quietly, and I about fist pump right there in front of her but thankfully keep it cool with just a smile.

Thank God she said yes.

Now I just need to figure out what the fuck the two of us are doing.

CHAPTER14

QUINN

My heart hasn’t stopped racingsince we got into his truck, the sound of blood pumping through my ears like a stampede coming straight for me, yet I sit here stuck in place, ready to let him destroy me. It’s what he does to me with his constant mix of hot and cold, the back and forth enough to shock my system, always keeping me on edge—but I kind of love it. It’s what happens with Levi; you never really know what to expect, so those butterflies could mean anything.

The only thing I know for sure is that there’s something different about tonight, something that feels more dangerous yet more real than anything I’ve ever felt with him before. I can’t explain it. The air feels thick, like I have to focus just to breathe. My eyes keep drifting over to Levi, who’s gripping the steering wheel for dear life.

The only thing that keeps shocking me back to life is my phone buzzing in my lap, alternating between texts and phone calls from my uncle and Ally. They planned a family dinner at the very last minute and are disregarding the fact that I said I couldn't make it from the beginning.

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