Flight (11 page)

I groaned. “On that note, are you ready to get going?”

“
Sure.” He threw some cash down on the table and we got up to leave.

I stopped to dust some powdered sugar off my skirt. “So, where to now?”

“
Where do you want to go?”

“
Hmm, I don’t know.”

“
What would you be doing if you were home?”

“
I’d probably be at the beach,” I confessed, picturing how good the cool water would feel. “It’s pretty much my favorite place to be.”

“
I’ll have to keep that in mind. The beach is a little hard to give you right now, but how about we check out the French Market?”

“
Shopping?”

“
Is that a problem?”

“
Not at all, I am just surprised by the suggestion,” I admitted.

“
It’s not like I’m taking you to the mall.”

“
True, but you don’t seem like the shopping type.”

“
If you’re done complaining…” he trailed off with a hint of a smile.

“
Lead the way.” I gestured him forward with my hand.

The French Market provided some much-needed shade. After several weeks, I was still no more used to the heat and humidity of the city. Not that summer in New York was particularly pleasant, but New Orleans was on a whole different level.

We weren’t the only ones visiting the market, and I guessed it was the usual Saturday crowd.

“
I think I remember now why I don’t come here much,” Levi mumbled.

“
Not one for crowds?” I asked.

“
Not really. You?”

“
I actually kind of like them. I think it’s why I like New York City so much. I love the feeling of getting lost in a big crowd.”

“
I learn something new about you every day,” he joked, guiding us down the center aisle.

“
I think you won that contest last night.” I smiled, thinking about just how much I had learned. “Well, we can leave if you want.”

“
Not until we do one thing.”

“
Okay…”

“
You like sweets, right?” he asked.

“
Of course.”

“
Loretta’s has some great pralines you’ve got to try.”

Levi stepped into a small store within the market. I stood back watching the crowd move by as I waited for him to finish his purchase.

“
Ready?” Levi took my hand leading me out of the market back the way we came. He never let go of my hand, and I didn’t fight it. Something had changed the night before. I had seen a hint of the real Levi and I wanted more. We passed back through Jackson Square and I never bothered to ask where we were going. I ate my praline, enjoying my breakfast of treats.

Levi came to a stop in front of a large building that appeared to be an old brewery. “The view here isn’t quite as good as last night, but it’s pretty nice.”

I noticed the sign hanging in front of the door. “Pat O’s?”

“
It’s Pat O’s on the River, good drinks and a nice view.”

“
Drinks in the middle of the afternoon?”

“
You’re in N’awlins Al, get used to it.”

He led me inside and up in the elevator. We walked through the indoor bar and out onto the patio.

“
Hi Levi,” a busty waitress called as we headed outside. She watched him eagerly waiting for his response.

Levi barely nodded in acknowledgement. I smiled without meaning to.

We took seats at a high top table overlooking the river.

“
You weren’t kidding, this is a great view.” I settled back into my chair, thankful for the awning overhead.

“
I thought you would like it. You seem to really like good views.”

“
The usual?” a waiter asked as he approached the table.

“
Yes and a hurricane for her.”

“
All right, be right out with those.”

“
Does everyone who works here know you?” I asked.

“
Not
everyone
.” He smiled.

“
Well anyway, what did you order me?”

“
You’ll like it. It’s pretty much the signature drink of the city and the specialty drink here, so you need to have it at least once.”

“
Is it as good as the other drink you keep buying me?”

“
Maybe not as good, but you’ll still enjoy it.”

“
What did you get?”

“
Whiskey.”

“
How do you know I wouldn’t prefer that?”

“
I don’t take you as the type to take your liquor straight.” He watched me, daring me to contradict him.

I contemplated arguing, but that would have ended in me drinking whisky, and that wasn’t something that sounded remotely appealing. “You’re right. I was just asking.”

The waiter brought our drinks over. I took a sip and Levi was right; I did like it. It was sweet but still had something to it. “Ah, it’s such a gorgeous afternoon.”

Levi laughed lightly. “I’m glad to see you enjoying yourself.”

“
Is there any chance you’ll take me—” The blare of a barge drowned me out. “Any chance you’ll—” It happened again and I decided to wait.

“
What were you asking?” He seemed genuinely interested.

“
Any chance of a repeat performance from last night?” I finally got out.

“
You liked that, huh?”

“
Yeah, I can’t say I’ve ever had a ride like that before.”

A middle-aged woman at the table next to us coughed, evidently misinterpreting our conversation. Levi must have realized it too. “Sure baby, I’ll take you for a ride anytime.”

I smacked his leg under the table.

“
Ouch.”

“
You so deserved that.”

“
You’re the one that wants the ride.” He tried unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh.

I ignored his last statement. “Is that a yes? You’ll take me again?”

“
Of course, I have no intentions of letting you down.”

We finished our drinks, enjoying the view and talking about nothing in particular. If Levi’s plan had been to continue distracting me from thinking about Jess, he was very successful.

Chapter
Nine

After some more sightseeing and a late dinner, we headed uptown to Levi’s place. His apartment was as immaculate as the last time. Owen and Jared sat on the couch playing some kind of war video game. They stopped screaming at each other and the game long enough to acknowledge me with a few grunts.

“
Can I get you anything?” Levi asked as I glanced around. More awake this time, I noticed a couple of black and white photographs of street scenes on the wall. I made a mental note to find out who the photographer of the group was.

“
I’m fine, but thanks.”

“
Want a tour?”

“
A tour? Is there really that much more to see?”

“
Of course there is. You never even saw my room last time.” He looked at me mischievously as he took off through the kitchen into a hallway.

“
You probably remember that’s Jared’s room,” Levi pointed. “Owen’s is over there and I’m here on the end.” Levi walked into the room he indicated as his own.

His room was much larger than I expected, with a king size bed pushed against the back wall. “Wow, you don’t see too many beds that big in college apartments.”

“
How many college apartments have you been in? Didn’t you just graduate high school?”

“
I have older friends…”

“
Older friends who like to show you their bedrooms with inadequately sized beds? Good to know.”

I decided to ignore him and check out the rest of the room. Unlike the main living space, his room was a mess. Dirty laundry mixed with books on the hardwood floor. Piles of clothes cluttered the top of his dresser, his desk and even the desk chair.

“
So is it Owen who keeps the rest of this place clean? I mean, obviously it’s not you.”

“
You automatically assume it’s Owen?”

“
Yeah… wait, don’t tell me it’s Jared.”

“
Okay, I won’t.”

“
Wow, Jared the neat freak,” I said with surprise.

“
You’re not his biggest fan, are you?”

“
No, not at all,” I admitted.

“
It has something to do with your friend, doesn’t it?”

My defenses went up immediately. “I don’t want to talk about Jess, okay?”

“
Sure, but Jared’s not all bad.”

“
If you say so.”

“
I do. He’s had my back since we were kids, and I think he kind of grows on you.” He paused. “Do you still want to fly?”

“
Yes!” I quickly forgot I was annoyed at him.

“
All right, let me talk to the guys, be right back.”

Levi left me standing alone in his room so I continued my perusal. I refrained from invading his privacy, half out of politeness and half out of fear he’d catch me. What kind of stuff did a not quite human guy have in his room? I sat down on the edge of his unmade bed, kicking away a gray Tulane sweatshirt with my flip-flop.

Levi returned before my curiosity could get the best of me. “All right, they’re in. Owen’s going to call Hailey and have her meet us.”

“
Where are we going exactly?”

“
It’s a surprise.”

“
What if I don’t like surprises?” I asked.

“
Come on, Al, you like surprises.” Levi leaned over, placing a hand on either side of me on his bed.

“
What makes you say that?”

“
I just know.” He placed a feather light kiss on my lips. Instead of continuing the kiss as I expected, he straightened up and headed toward his door. He pulled off his t-shirt, throwing it down carelessly before grabbing the hoodie sweatshirt from the floor. “First I can’t get you into my room, and now I can’t get you out of it?”

“
Shut up.” I got up and followed him into the hallway, trying to ignore my disappointment at his quick departure.

Owen and Jared were waiting for us by the open front door, also shirtless.

“
Put this on.” Levi tossed me the sweatshirt.

“
You want me to wear something that was in a ball on the floor?”

“
It’s clean. I just did laundry.”

“
So why was it on the floor?”

Owen laughed.

“
Just put it on. We’re not going high, but it’s a longer flight and it’s going to be cold.”

“
No thanks.”

“
Fine, suit yourself. But at least bring it with you; you’ll thank me when you’re freezing later.”

“
Somehow I doubt that, but I’ll bring it.”

“
All right, you ready?” Levi asked.

“
Definitely.” I was ready for my adrenaline fix.

Levi chuckled. “Wow, you really are pumped up for this.”

“
Why? Do most girls not react this way?”

“
Most girls? How many girls do you think I’ve flown before?”

“
I’d assume quite a few.”

“
Naw, Allie, you’re his first. Isn’t that sweet? Okay, end of story, let’s go,” Jared said impatiently.

“
Seriously? Then why’d you take me?” Levi’s decision to let me in on his world now seemed even bigger.

“
It felt right. Let’s get out of here. Oh, you might want to hold those flip-flops.”

I followed the guys down the front porch, and around to the side of the house. When Levi stopped, I took off my flip-flops, enfolding them in the sweatshirt I was already holding.

Levi turned me around before wrapping his arms around my waist. “Have fun.”

I stifled a scream as we took off again. I obviously knew he was going to do it, but the sensation was still shocking.