21. Alexis
Alexis had been caught off guard when Levi stepped into the elevator. He’d looked even more attractive than usual, and she couldn’t imagine her impending blind date being anywhere close to that level.
Although, she hoped the guy she was about to meet was a little more agreeable than Levi. Why did he show tiny glimpses of humanity only to then ruin it by getting snarky with her?
Did he really care she was going out this evening? Even though he seemed to be friends with Theo, she sensed an underlying tension between them. Surely that meant he didn’t care whether Alexis told a tiny white lie to his mother about being out for one night of her entire six-month stay?
Alexis made her way over to the building’s café and sat in a leather armchair. She checked the time and noted she was a few minutes early.
Levi stood in front of her. ‘What are you doing?’
‘I’m waiting for my date. What are you doing?’
‘Did you have to organise the meeting point here?’
‘Why not? It makes sense.’
‘Too much sense.’ He walked to another armchair a few feet away and sat down.
‘You’re meeting your date here too?’
‘Apparently.’
‘Well, that’s not awkward at all.’
‘What would be even more awkward is me taking a photo of you to send to Elias to prove you actually have a date.’
‘Is that what he asked you to do?’
‘He did.’
‘I can’t believe he doesn’t believe me.’
‘Well, I’m not going to, either way. What you do is none of mine or Elias’ business.’
Alexis hid a smile. It sounded like Levi really struggled to make that sound natural.
‘Then you should at least move further away. Or turn your chair around. My date might be put off if he sees me with someone else.’
‘Would he be that easily swayed? What kind of person are you dating?’
Alexis opened her mouth and then closed it again. She had weirdly only just realised she didn’t even know the name of the guy she was supposed to meet. Was that normal? Did he know her name? She sent a quick message to Sarah.
Alexis:
What’s the name of the guy I’m meeting?
While she waited for a reply, she watched as Levi dragged his chair slightly further away and tilted it at an angle that still allowed him to see the building’s entry but not look like he was there with her.
‘I didn’t know you had a girlfriend,’ she said casually.
He hesitated before answering. ‘I don’t.’
‘Ooh, so it’s a first date?’
‘Yep.’
‘How did you meet?’
He hesitated again. ‘We haven’t yet.’
‘Seriously? I didn’t think you were that kind of person.’
He looked at her. ‘And what kind of person do you think I am?’
‘I don’t know. The kind who likes order and routine?’
‘That’s true. But love isn’t like that.’
Alexis was momentarily lost for words. She hadn’t expected him to be so candid.
‘I guess you’re right.’
‘You should probably stop talking to me so your date doesn’t get the wrong idea when he shows up.’
‘Uh, okay.’
She looked toward the entry and prayed he would arrive soon. This was way too uncomfortable.
Her phone beeped.
Sarah:
Sorry, I forgot to ask, but his mum’s name is Catherine.
Alexis sighed.
Levi immediately noticed. ‘What? Did your date cancel?’
‘No. I just realised I don’t know my date’s name. Only his mum’s.’
Levi chuckled and then stopped. ‘Huh. I don’t know my date’s name either.’
‘Really?’
‘My mum set me up. It’s a long story, so don’t ask.’
‘My friend Sarah set me up.’
‘Are you in the habit of going out with random men she sets you up with?’
‘No. This would be the first time. Sarah doesn’t usually get involved in my relationships, but her client was asking if she knew anyone for her son.’
‘Damned interfering mothers. What does Sarah do that would make her client think that was appropriate behaviour?’
‘She’s a hair stylist.’
Levi’s face turned white.
‘Are you okay?’ Alexis asked.
He shook his head. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’
‘What?’
He slowly made eye contact with her.
‘I think you’re my blind date.’
Alexis snorted. ‘Are you messing with me right now?’
‘I wish I was.’
‘What makes you think that?’
‘Tell me everything you know about who you’re meeting tonight.’
‘Just that his mum goes to Sarah’s salon, and her name is Catherine.’
Levi laughed loudly, and Alexis wondered if he was losing it.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and typed something into it. He then stood, strode over to her, and shoved the screen in her face.
‘What am I supposed to be looking at?’ she asked, bewildered.
‘This is the website for my family’s business. Check out the second director.’
Alexis took a moment to focus, but when she did, her breath caught.
‘Catherine Beckingsale?’
‘I’m betting if you sent your friend a photo, she’d confirm it’s her client.’
Alexis couldn’t speak. This was crazy. And wrong.
She quickly called Sarah, and thankfully she answered on the first ring. ‘Don’t tell me your date cancelled on you?’ Sarah asked, teasing.
‘Uh, no. But can you tell me your client’s last name?’
‘Oh… let me think. I know it’s one of those fancy sounding names that starts with a B or a C… Wait! That’s it! Beckingsale.’
‘You have no idea what you’ve just done,’ Alexis said before hanging up. The phone rang again immediately, but she ignored it.
She faced Levi with a grimace. ‘You were right.’
Levi rubbed his hands across his face. ‘This is ridiculous.’
‘So, what now? We just go back upstairs and pretend nothing happened?’
‘I guess.’ He didn’t seem happy about the prospect.
‘Will there be consequences for you not following through?’
‘I don’t care if there are. I shouldn’t have even agreed to this farce in the first place.’
‘But you did agree, so there must have been a reason?’
‘My mum threatened to fire me if I didn’t.’
Alexis’ eyes widened. ‘No!’
‘I don’t know how serious she was, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough. I don’t want to get you involved in my family’s affairs.’
Alexis thought for a moment. ‘Would it be easier to just pretend we went through with it? We could take a couple of selfies to send your mum proof.’
‘She’d recognise the location if we took them here.’
‘Then we’ll just grab a quick dinner somewhere and take them there. We have to eat, don’t we?’
As if on cue, Levi’s stomach rumbled. ‘I guess we do. Are you sure you don’t mind?’
She looked into those liquid blue eyes of his and had to suppress a shiver. How could she mind?
‘I’ll find a way to cope.’
He instantly relaxed. ‘Thanks, Alexis. I really appreciate you helping me out.’
She’d never seen him so grateful, especially to her, and it made her insides do funny things. She tilted her head toward the street. ‘Shall we?’
He reached down to help her to her feet, and the feel of his skin on her arm made her heart race even more.
He gently rested his hand on her lower back, guiding her through the lobby.
Alexis found it difficult to form coherent thoughts and hoped Levi wouldn’t notice.
‘What do you feel like?’ he asked.
Alexis almost replied ‘you’ but held back just in time. ‘I don’t know this area as well as you. Do you have a preference?’
‘Do you like dumplings?’
‘I love dumplings.’
‘Then I have the perfect place.’
As they walked out into the cool evening air, Alexis had to remind herself this wasn’t real. It was a one-off to appease what sounded like a very overbearing mother.
So why was she looking forward to it?