Chapter 20
TWENTY
Levi is already halfway to the shop door by the time I’m still fumbling with my seat belt. He moves like a whirlwind, his energy too restless to wait while I’m tangled up in a knot of fabric and frustration.
Koen, on the other hand, steps out of the car at an unhurried pace, rounding to my side.
He’s pushed the passenger seat forward by the time I’ve finally managed to get rid of the seat belt, then extends his hand to me.
He looks silently amused at my struggle, but there’s nothing mocking in his gaze.
I hesitate for a split second, something in his offered hand making me pause. I’ve never needed someone to help me.
Why does letting him be here feel different, even okay?
His fingers are warm and strong as I let him pull me to my feet, and I swear there’s a tiny squeeze before his thumb brushes over the back of my hand, lingering like it’s a statement.
“You could have told me this place is so…” I start, feeling the warmth creep up my neck to my cheeks.
Fuck. Since when am I flustered?
I don’t get flustered, especially not over appearances. Yet, here I am, feeling painfully out of place. I pull at the hem of my hoodie, hoping he doesn’t notice my sudden insecurity.
The panic attack in the car was already enough to bruise my ego.
“So what, Little Thief?” He draws out the nickname, his thumb brushing one last time over my knuckles before I pull my hand away.
“So fancy. I’m in my sweatpants, for fuck’s sake,” I mutter, glaring at him.
“I hadn’t even noticed.” He suppresses a smile and rests his hand on my elbow, steering me toward the shop. “And trust me, nobody else will either.”
“You’re not exactly a fashion icon yourself.” I huff, still feeling the awkwardness prickling under my skin. “So that’s not very reassuring.”
“Oh, now you’re critiquing my wardrobe?” There’s a glint in his eyes that dares me to push back.
“No,” I mumble, glancing at his leather jacket, black jeans, and the way the fabric clings in all the right places. “You dress in the same black stuff every damn day. It’s predictable.”
And annoyingly hot, not that I’d say that out loud.
“First off, they’re not the same. I have twenty pairs of these jeans and shirts. I wash them between wearing them, believe it or not. Second…” he pauses, giving me that cocky, half-lidded look, “… we’ve only met four times. A bit early to say it’s every damn day, don’t you think? Prejudice much?”
“Well, I’ve seen you on TV, in magazines, and billboards. It’s always the same look. So, no. Not prejudice, simply observation skills.”
“You’ve got me all figured out, haven’t you?”
“Absolutely not.” I huff a laugh. “I have no idea who you are. You’ve been a rock, cold and unreadable. And now, today, you flicked a switch.”
Koen stops walking, turning to face me. “How so?”
Before I can answer, Levi’s voice cuts through the moment. “Guys, you coming or what?” He’s standing at the shop door a few feet away, radiating impatience.
It seems that boy never had to wait for anything in his life.
I glance toward him, but Koen’s fingers catch my chin, pulling my focus back.
“How am I different today?” His dark eyes are searching, and I’m suddenly hyperaware of how close we are. Close enough that I register the warmth of his breath.
I swallow, feeling the weight of his question and the way his gaze seems to pin me in place. “Well, you’re… like this.” I gesture vaguely, feeling stupid under his gaze. “Nice.” I swat his hand away. “And I don’t know if I like it.”
He studies me, his eyes boring into mine as if he’s stripping away my words to see what’s underneath. And dammit, he must find the truth in them because a genuine smile spreads across his face.
I hate that he knows and sees through my sarcasm and hesitation. Yes, I like this side of Koen, which is even more dangerous than his infuriating side.
If the last few days have taught me anything, it’s that I’m done being alone. Maybe Levi is right. Maybe I should live in case something good happens. Maybe this is something good. And if it isn’t, I can still sink back into my black hole if it goes wrong.
It’s not like anybody is waiting for me there.
Koen’s eyes glimmer with something I can’t quite place—an invitation, a promise, or maybe it’s the satisfaction of knowing he’s cracked my facade.
He raises an eyebrow, his lips still curved.
“Nice, huh? I’ll take it.” His hand brushes down my arm, then he steps back, his smirk growing wider. “Let’s catch up before Levi explodes.”
“Finally.” Levi throws his arms up dramatically. “You guys can flirt some more when we’re inside, not standing on the threshold like peasants who aren’t invited.”
Koen snorts, shaking his head. “Relax, Dove. Not everyone is as desperate to make an entrance as you.”
Levi places a hand on his chest, feigning offense. “Desperate? I prefer the term enthusiastically dramatic. It’s called charisma, darling.”
Koen turns to me, his smirk still in place as he whispers, “See what I have to deal with every day?”
“Excuse me? I heard that,” Levi accuses while stepping into the shop, and I follow him, suppressing a laugh.
The clerk at the counter glances up, and her eyes widen as she immediately recognizes the twins. Her face lights up, and she practically skips around the counter to greet Levi. “Hey, you,” she says, throwing her arms around him. Pulling back, she questions, “You’re back already?”
“You know me.” Levi returns the hug, then shrugs boyishly as he adds, “I can’t stay away. But today, it’s not about me. I’ve got you a nice little project.”
“You do?” she asks, glancing at Koen and giving him a friendly smile, which he returns with a polite nod.
“As you know, it’s my birthday tomorrow—” Levi starts.
“Our birthday,” Koen mutters.
“Technicalities.” Levi waves him off, and I have to suppress another laugh. “Anyway, I want my girl, Glitter, here to be the star of the show. Give me your most beautiful and sexy dress. Something that fits this vision of a woman.”
Her eyes shift to me, and she smiles, her expression kind. “It’s nice to meet you, Glitter. I’m Kati. And I’m sure everything will look amazing on you, so I guess we have a big selection to choose from.”
She didn’t even bat an eye at my sweatpants.
“Ah! I think this screams for champagne, don’t you?” Levi exclaims, and Kati nods, disappearing to the back and leaving us standing by the counter. When she returns, she starts to hand us each a glass, but Koen shakes his head, holding up a hand. “None for me, thank you. I’m driving.”
Levi, however, takes two glasses and looks at me expectantly. “You won’t make me drink alone, right?”
I clench my teeth, shaking my head while I glare at Koen. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Levi’s eyes flick to Koen, then back to me.
“Koen wants me sober. Always.” The words are clipped, my gaze still on the man in question, who’s watching me carefully.
Levi grins, his gaze bouncing between us again. “Right. Ko, brother, please, get that stick out of your ass so she can have a glass of champagne with me?”
Koen sighs, but there’s a hint of amusement playing on his lips. He steps closer, his eyes locking onto mine as his hand comes to cup my cheek. “All right,” he says softly. “You’re allowed to drink champagne with Levi.”
“No… forehead tapping?” I ask, bewildered, ignoring the fact that he’s allowing me to have a drink.
Bastard.
His lips curl playfully, and his hand wanders from my cheek to my forehead, tapping gently. “There.”
It’s as if a weight lifts off my chest as relief washes over me, the effect almost dizzying.
Thank God.
I grab a glass from Levi, downing it in one go, my throat burning as the bubbles rush down. But it’s a good burn. So much so that it almost makes me tear up, finally being able to dull the edges again.
Three days without a drink, yet it may as well have been years. I missed the numbness more than it’s healthy to admit.
I reach for the other glass from Kati, who hands it over without question. “Thank you.”
The second glass goes down just as fast. The warmth starts to spread, coating the raw parts of me, and I feel my muscles slowly unclench, my heartbeat steadying. It’s like coming up for air after being underwater for too long.
Levi chuckles, clearly amused, while Koen stares at me, probably unsure whether to be impressed or worried.
Both would be appropriate.
Levi lifts his glass, grinning as he clinks it against my empty one. “Let’s get this party started!”
He immediately disappears into the racks with Kati, his eyes wide with excitement like a kid in a candy store. Kati holds up a beautiful, sparkly silver dress, and Levi eyes it critically, then shakes his head, diving deeper into the sea of dresses.
Koen, however, stays close to me, his eyes scanning the racks as we walk. He pauses, pulling out a dress. “How about this?” he asks, handing me a long, emerald-green gown with intricate lace sleeves. “It matches your eyes.”
Why would he care about such details?
I take it, running my fingers over the delicate material, but when I come across the price, I almost choke on air.
Fifteen thousand dollars?
“Koen, I can’t wear this.”
Before he can respond, Levi reappears, his face twisted in disapproval.
“She’s right. No way she’s wearing this.
” He shakes his head. “That’s not sexy enough.
That body needs to be shown off.” He takes the green dress from my hands and puts it back on the rack, then grins as he hands me another dress.
A long black one with no sleeves and a high slit up the thigh. “This. This will turn heads.”
I swallow and, almost subconsciously, rub circles on the silk between my fingertips.
It’s beautiful, daring… just my taste.
“You like this better?” Koen asks, searching my gaze.
“I like both of them. They’re so… expensive.”
Levi huffs a laugh. “Girl, you have no idea what expensive even means.”
Koen takes the dress from me and touches my elbow again to guide me toward the fitting area.