Page 25 of Resilient Rhythms
Levi tosses an arm around his neck, clasping his shoulder.
“How you doing, Jameson?” Allegra asks gently.
He looks up and meets her gaze. Shrugs. “Hanging in there.” His gaze shifts to me and his expression softens.
“Yeah,” I agree quietly. “It will get easier.”
“Hope so,” he murmurs.
Derek and Allegra stand, moving toward the lanes and picking out their bowling balls.
Mav’s eyes meet mine and I note the curiosity in them. I bite my lip and turn to strike up a conversation with Levi.
Ever since our date, things between Mav and me have been easygoing and comfortable. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there are moments that remind me of what we once were. Seconds where the air shifts or time slows. Heartbeats where I hope he’ll kiss me.
I laugh as Levi recounts a story from his last trip to Knoxville, Tennessee. I nod as Jameson confides in me about his breakup with Amelia. I let my guard down, allow my shoulders to relax, and enjoy being here with this group of people.
When it’s my turn to bowl, I pick up a ball, stride forward, and snap my wrist. The ball glides down the lane smoothly,connecting with the pins just right of center to create a domino effect and resulting in a strike.
“Yes, girl!” Jameson shouts.
I whirl around, throwing an arm in the air, and beam.
“Way to go, Kenny!” Allegra cheers.
Laughing, I move toward the group. But before I reclaim my chair, Mav swings me into his arms, spinning me in a circle.
“That was awesome, Mckenna!” He places me gently on my feet, pushing my hair out of my face.
I laugh. “I was on my high school team.”
“Of course you were.” Grinning, he adds, “Keep that up and you may steal my Captain title.”
“I don’t want to be captain, Mav.”
“No?” he teases.
I shake my head, biting my bottom lip.
Mav’s eyes drop to my mouth, a flicker of heat burning in their blue depths. “What do you want then, Mckenna?” he whispers, just so I can hear.
My breath catches in my throat and my eyes dart from his eyes to his lips, trying to confirm that I heard him correctly.
He’s watching me carefully and under his scrutiny, from his proximity alone, my heart rate ticks up.
Time slows, sounds abate, and again, it’s just us. Mav and me.
“Stop flirting!” Levi hollers, snapping our moment and bringing me back to reality.
I blush, ducking my head, as I slip a piece of hair behind my ear.
“Don’t let him embarrass you,” Mav says, tucking me under his arm, unbothered.
“You’re too good for him, Kenny,” Levi tacks on, pointing at Mav, and I know he’s trying to erase any embarrassment he caused me.
I smirk at him. “Thanks, Levi.”
He grins back before snatching up a ball and lining up his shot.
