Page 11 of Flawless Foundations

"I'd say we are more like friends with benefits. There isn't much there past the friends and screwing that we are doing." I sip my bold blend and hide a sigh of relief that I'm not in danger of telling her about the kiss.

She rolls her eyes. "Whatever it is, you're ending it. Why?"

"That dinner last night? It was with your brother. And Marshal was a total tool." I set my mug down and turn toward her. "He actually suggested to Levi that he should hire me as his assistant."

Emmy's eyes widen, and her mouth opens in shock. "He didn't."

"He did."

"Please tell me Levi wasn't a prick in response."

I shake my head. "No, actually, he defended me. Commented on my dual degrees. Marshal just ignored it. Made a comment about what money can buy."

"Nope, nope, nope, you're done. Not seeing that twatwaffle again."

I chuckle at her demand. "Yeah, that's the plan."

Emmy's phone beeps and she jumps up, pushing off the counter. "Ah, that's my alarm. I need to head out. Are you still meeting your mom for brunch?"

I nod, taking another drink.

"Tell her I said hello." She grabs her purse, and I tell her I will as she slips out the front door.

After finishing my coffee, I take a shower and get ready for the day. It's close to ten when I find my purse and head to the front door. Just as I unlock my door, I hear a door down the hall close. I peek into the peephole and see Levi walk past my door. He lifts his head briefly like he knows I'm watching him. But that's impossible, he wouldn't know I'm there. He keeps walking. So, I wait with my ear to the door, listening for the elevator.

Resting my forehead on the door, I left out a breath.Phew.That was a close one. I continue on my way, locking up the apartment behind me. When I arrive at the elevator, I hover my finger over the down button.

One, two, three, four, five.

Then I push it. No way he's not still in the elevator. He's got to be halfway out of the lobby by now. By the time I get there, he'll be long gone. Though, what was he doing home at this hour of the day, I wonder.

My phone pings, and I get lost in the text from my mom as I step out of the elevator. I look up from my phone and note that several people are milling about the spacious luxury lobby. I peer around and spot Levi. He's standing at the concierge desk talking to the daytime gal, Lucy. She's a couple years younger than me, super nice, and also really pretty. Kevin, Jake’s brother, has a thing for her. I only know this because every time he's over and she's working, he tells us about how hot she is. It's cute, really, his little crush. But seeing the way she is laughing, and Levi is smiling down at her, causes an odd pang of jealousy to swirl in my belly.

I realize that I've slowed almost to a stop and again, as if he knows I'm there, his head shifts toward me. Panicking, I dive into the opening to my right, which thankfully is the mailroom. I lean flat against the wall on the inside of the room. I catch my breath, shit. That was close. I mutter it out loud, and a giggle surprises me. I'm not alone. Whipping my head around, I spot a woman standing at the mailboxes. She's tallish, but she's rocking a pair of sky-high heels and her hair looks like she's got at least two bottles worth of hair spray in it.

"Shit, I wasn't expecting to see that when I came down to check my mail this morning. Well worth putting some pants on seeing your face right now."

I smile at her. "I know, right?"

"Totes. I've seen you on the rooftop before. I'm Brynn Diaz, I live on the 29th."

"Nice to meet you." I give her a little wave. "I'm Becca Nicely, fourteenth floor."

"I'd like to hear all about this." She waves her hand toward me. "I bet it's a great story. Next time we find ourselves on the roof, let's chat."

Chuckling. "You got it." I tip my head and get back to business when I hear my phone ding with a text from my purse.

I tug at my skirt, smoothing out any wrinkles as I peer out into the lobby. Levi is no longer talking to Lucy. So, I continue on my way, for about half a second when I spot him standing at the front door, his hand on Thomas's shoulder. Both all smiles.

"Augh! You've got to be kidding me with this shit," I mutter as I slide right behind a large round potted tree. It's thick enough that you'd be able to make out a person standing behind it, but you wouldn't be able to tell who it was.

"Does he have to freaking talk to everyone? Suddenly, he's what, like the nicest damn guy in the world?" I say under my breath. I steal a glance around the tree and see he's nowhere to be seen. Thomas is now outside in front of the building. My eyes dart around the lobby one more time. Sure enough, no Levi.

I shake my head. What the fuck was that, Becca?

As I step out from behind my latest hiding spot, I'm startled when I see Jake and Kevin staring at me. Kevin looks confused, while Jake looks smug.

"Hello, Harper Bros." I go for cool.

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