Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
L evi
For some reason the days feel brighter, the colours more vibrant, and somehow I feel more alive. I power through my studies and even work seems easy. I haven’t seen Mac since that evening at Marina’s house, but I don’t mind because I will. I’m sure of it.
“What’s made you so happy?” Darla asks one day just before we’re about to open.
“Happy?” Of course I give her a scowl.
“Levi, you were humming.” She smirks at me while stacking empty pint glasses .
“Humming? I don’t hum,” I protest.
“I definitely heard humming.” She walks away to unlock the main door.
Huh? No, I definitely wasn’t doing that. But happy? Is this what that is? Where my chest feels full to bursting and I believe I can do anything. It’s unfamiliar but I like it. Darla spends the rest of my shift giving me furtive glances, which I do my best to ignore.
I’m still mulling over what she said when I drive to Oxford the next morning for my on-campus class. I’ve taken to walking to the coffee cart, the one outside the station, during my lunch break. It’s better than the cafeteria and it has by far the best coffee I’ve found in the city. There’s also another reason. Somehow I feel it makes me closer to Mac. It’s pitiful I know, but it’s all I have right now. I still can’t believe I told him my past; no one knows the whole story. But what’s more incredible is that he didn’t leave, he didn’t judge me. Instead, he took me apart.
So I feel no guilt at wanting to feel closer to him. I’m a little later reaching the coffee cart than normal, as I wanted to ask a few questions of the tutor, but I still have time to get there and back before the afternoon session if I’m quick. I’m focused on the time and not on what’s in front of me, or rather who.
But there’s no mistaking the handsome face, strong jaw, and physical presence of Mac, or how my heart jolts when he nearly bumps into me as he turns away from the cart with his order. He jumps back to prevent spilling his coffee on himself, or me, I’m not sure which.
“Mac, I’m sorry,” I say instinctively, before I realise he’s not alone.
His nostrils flare and his eyes widen as a look of shock followed by fear crosses his face.
It’s too late, I’ve already made the mistake, but anxiety kicks in and I try to recover from it anyway.
“I mean, I... I’m sorry, Detective West. I didn’t see you there.”
“Levi, how unexpected.” His voice holds an edge of steel.
“How are you doing, Levi?” Detective Dhutta asks, and we both turn to look at her.
“I’m good thank you, Detective Dhutta. I’ve found this is the best coffee in Oxford so I visit when I’m in college.”
“You’re in college? Good for you, Levi,” she says with a warm smile.
“I actually have to get back for my afternoon class,” I say quickly and turn, walking away without looking back, and definitely not giving Mac another glance though I’m desperate to. I walk back to college with a heavy heart. From his look I know I’ve seriously messed everything up.