CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
LEVI
Music is thumping, the lighting dim in this underground bar. I’m squeezed into a booth between Scarlett and Hudson, sitting across from Bennett, Evan, and Gigi. Reid’s gone off to get a round of drinks.
I squeeze Scarlett’s thigh and she instinctively leans into me.
Reid returns with the drinks, and I lift Scarlett onto my lap to make room for him to slide in beside us. Steele smirks at me, taking a drink of his beer.
She reaches over the table to Gigi, taking her hand. “Are you going to the gala?” She shouts across the noise.
Gigi nods, a soft smile on her face. “Yeah,” her eyes flick to Steele before returning to Scar. “I am. Are you?”
My brows furrow before I’m distracted by Scarlett looking back at me with a wide grin. “Yeah, I’m going. I’m so excited. It’s my first event like this!”
Her eyes catch the dim bar lights, sparkling brilliantly, and I realise instantly that I’m completely lost to her.
I watch her chatting with Gigi until Moore suddenly slaps his hands on the table, drawing our attention. “Shots?” he calls out.
The group murmurs their agreements, and the guys go to the bar, leaving Scarlett, Steele, Gigi, and me in the booth. The girls are talking about the dresses they’re wearing to the gala when Steele catches my eye.
“How are things?” He gestures towards Scarlett before having another drink.
I rub my hand over my face to attempt to smother my smile. “They’re perfect, man.” I look at Scarlett, with a bright smile on her face. “Couldn’t be better.”
“I couldn’t be happier for you, Levi. You deserve it.”
I go to thank him when the guys get back with the shots and Scarlett straightens up again, doing a little happy dance in my lap. I grasp her hips as a signal for her to stop and we each take a shot off the tray.
After knocking back the shot, Scarlett takes my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. Her back presses against my chest, and I rest my hands on her hips as she moves in time with the music, ‘Into It’ by Chase Atlantic.
Scarlett clasps her fingers behind my neck, pulling me closer as she moves her body so carefree, just feeling the rhythm. She’s wearing the tight black dress she wore during our bar run in a couple of months ago.
I’m so grateful for how far we’ve come, and I can’t help but think we were meant to find our way to where we are now.
By the time the song is over, we’re both sweaty and breathless. Scarlett nuzzles against my chest as we make our way back to the table, where everyone is seated, except for two.
“Where’s Gigi and Ben?” I ask, glancing around the bar, still unable to spot them.
The guys shrug and I roll my eyes, leaning down to where Scarlett is now seated in the booth. “Would you like another drink?”
She nods, grinning at me, her cheeks flushed a stunning shade of pink. “A cosmo, please.”
I place a featherlight kiss on her forehead before making my way to the bar. Once I get the bartender’s attention, I place an order for a beer and a Cosmopolitan.
Feeling a soft hand on my shoulder, I spin around as a girl sidles up beside me.
“Hi, handsome.” She grins, sliding her hand down my arm.
“Uh… hi?”
“A man like you shouldn’t be here alone. Come have a dance.” She smiles, wrapping her fingers around my wrist, starting to pull on my arm.
I open my mouth to speak when I see a different, much more familiar hand remove the grip and step in front of me. “I suggest you keep your hands off my man.”
The girl let out a shocked laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Scarlett shoos her. “He’s not available. Move along.”
She glances up at me and I shrug my shoulders, throwing an arm over Scarlett and pulling her into me.
“Whatever.” She scoffs, walking away.
I bend down so my mouth is at the height of Scarlett’s ear.
“You’re hot when you’re jealous.”
“I’m not jealous.” She huffs as the bartender places our drinks on the counter.
I take them, walking us back to our table, Gigi and Bennett finally back from wherever they were.
“I think this is our last drink before we leave.” I nod to the group as I sit down on the bench, Scarlett falling into my lap afterwards, leaning her head back against my shoulder.
Scarlett and I stay quiet, nursing our drinks as we vaguely listen to the conversation around us.
“Are you ready to go?” I whisper, kissing her shoulder once we’re both finished our drinks.
She turns to me, nodding, her eyes becoming sleepier since it’s getting late. “Yeah, let’s go.”
She stands, running her hands down her dress to straighten it before kissing me firmly. The guys whistle and I flip them off in return. “See you assholes later. Love you, Gige.”
We wave as we leave, and I throw my arm over her shoulders as we walk the short distance to my car.
“Thank you for coming tonight.” I murmur, opening the passenger door of my Porsche for her to slide in.
I get in the driver’s side, switching on the ignition, pulling away from the curb.
It’s a quiet drive home, and it isn’t long before I pull up outside Scarlett’s apartment.
“Thank you for tonight, Levi. I really like spending time with your friends.” She smiles, removing her seatbelt.
“They love having you around, Scar. And so do I.”
She nods, leaning over the centre console, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek and opening her door.
“Text me when you get in, okay?”
“Okay.”
I watch her walk away, her hips swaying in that hypnotising way that sends all my blood rushing south. I lean back in my seat, waiting for her text so I can finally head home and deal with this problem.