Flight (18 page)

She gave me a sympathetic look. “I know she didn’t leave because she was homesick.”

“
It was because of a guy,” I admitted.

“
I gathered that much. It’s Jess we’re talking about.”

“
She made a mistake with a guy and I think it scared her.”

“
All right, I get the idea.”

“
It threw her for a loop, and she just needed to leave. I also think it made her miss Emmett. I should have been looking out for her, but she always acts so tough about boys that I didn’t think I needed to protect her.”

“
It’s not your fault, and she knows it. Just give her time.”

“
I know. I just don’t want it to change our friendship.”

“
Whether this thing with the boy happened or not, your friendship was going to change. You’re both going to college. You’ll have different groups of friends and activities.”

“
So you’re saying we’re going to drift apart anyway?”

“
No. I’m just saying that your friendship will change—good or bad. It’s inevitable.”

I sighed.

“
It’s just part of growing up, but I can take a hint. Enough of that topic and onto another awkward one.”

“
Yeah?”

“
Toby came by the house last week.” Mom pursed her lips; I could tell she was hesitant to broach the subject.

“
What?”

“
He says you aren’t returning his calls and that some guy answered once.”

“
Oh.”

“
So who’s the guy?”

“
Oh, just a friend, no big deal.”

“
You sure?” Mom studied me skeptically.

“
Yeah, nothing to worry about.”

“
Do you think you’re going to give Toby another chance?”

“
No. It’s over between us.” I crossed my arms, Mom and I had already discussed this enough, and it annoyed me that he brought her into it again.

“
You sure about that? He seems to think otherwise.”

“
I’m sure.”

A loud knock on the door interrupted us and my stomach dropped as I realized it was probably Levi.

Hesitating a moment too long, my mom got up to open the door. “Well, hello there.”

“
Oh, hi. Is Allie around?” Levi poked his head out, as if to double check the room number.

I got up and walked over to the doorway. “Hey.”

“
Hey.” He looked at me questioningly.

“
Aren’t you going to introduce us, sweetie?”

“
Oh yeah, Mom this is Levi.”

“
It’s so nice to meet you Ms.—” Levi held out his hand at a loss for my mother’s last name.

“
It’s O’Connor but call me Diane.”

“
Well it’s nice to meet you, Diane. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“
Have you? Funny, I haven’t heard anything about you. Unless, is this the friend I didn’t need to concern myself with?” I was busted. Mom didn’t get annoyed easily but keeping stuff from her was a sure way to set her off.

For the first time in recent memory I was at a loss for words.

“
Well, I’ll let you enjoy your time with your mother. Call me sometime. Once again, nice to meet you.”

“
Wait, Levi. Do you have plans tomorrow night? We would love to have you join us for dinner. Allie’s father will be there as well.”

Please say no, please say no, I repeated over and over waiting for his response. “I would love to join you for dinner. What time were you thinking?”

“
Around seven o’clock down in the lobby?”

“
Perfect, I look forward to it. Good night, Allie.” Levi wore an unreadable expression as he walked out the door, and for once, I wished he had called me Al.

As soon as the door closed, Mom turned to me. “So yes, I agree, Toby has no chance.”

“
Mom!”

“
What? I’m not blind. Toby has no chance against him, especially not with the way he was looking at you.”

“
Mom, it’s really not a big deal.”

“
I’ll be the judge of that.”

I groaned. “Please, can we just drop it for tonight?”

“
Sure, I’ll get my answers tomorrow. Besides, I can’t really be that mad at you.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
I’ve been keeping a bit of a secret myself.”

My stomach dropped again. “What kind of secret?”

“
I’m seeing someone new.”

“
Oh? Anyone I know?”

“
You know his son.”

“
Who?” I asked with trepidation.

“
Andrew Thomas.”

“
What? You know how much I hate Andrew.”

“
Yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that I like his dad. Besides, maybe you shouldn’t be so hard on Andrew. He thought you made the right decision to dump Toby.”

“
Of course he did! He’s been trying to sleep with me since the 8
^th
grade!”

“
Allie, stop it.”

“
It’s true! The kid is a total perv and seriously can’t take a hint.”

“
Well, you’re going to have to get over your differences when you get home in a few weeks. You’re not going to ruin this for me.”

I regretted my reaction immediately. The look of disappointment on her face hurt. “Of course not. I’m sorry. It just surprised me.”

“
Yeah, I know how that feels.”

“
I’m sorry,” I said guiltily.

“
So, are you ready to call it a night?”

“
Yeah. I’m glad you’re here Mom.”

“
Me too,” she said as we hugged.

Lying in bed, I worried about whether Levi was mad that I hadn’t mentioned him to Mom. I contemplated calling him but stopped myself each time. I’d face him soon enough anyway.

***

After a day of sightseeing and catching up with Mom, I was almost ready for dinner. Dad was finally back in town, and I was sure the timing was anything but coincidental. He wasn’t about to let Mom think he was inattentive. She always gave him a hard time about not taking enough of an interest in me. I told her I didn’t care, but she assured me I would care one day. Dad met up with us in my room before we headed down to the lobby.

Levi glanced up from his phone as we approached. Wearing one of his usual Lacoste shirts, he had exchanged his jeans for a pair of khaki slacks. He looked like he had walked off a magazine shoot as he gave me another look I couldn’t quite read.

Levi didn’t miss a beat. “Hi Allie, Diane. Mr. Davis, it’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Levi.”

Dad shook his hand. “Hello, Levi, please call me Tim.”

“
All right, Tim.”

“
So you’re the one my little girl has been spending all her time with?”

My mom glared at me and I shrugged. I had no idea how Dad knew about him.

“
Yes, I have been monopolizing her attention all summer. I just can’t seem to get enough of her.” Levi smiled and he seemed much more relaxed suddenly.

“
Allie told you about Levi?” Mom asked.

Arrgh. I could see where this was going.

“
She didn’t have to tell me. I know what’s going on in my daughter’s life. I’m sorry she didn’t feel the need to share it with you.”

“
She didn’t actually tell you then?”

“
Not exactly,” Dad said through clenched teeth.

“
So how did you hear?”

“
Oy vey, Diane. You got me. No one actually told me, I only assumed.”

“
Just like I thought.” Mom smiled smugly.

I glanced at Levi whose mouth was pressed in a firm line again.

“
Okay, let’s get to dinner before someone gets killed,” I said quickly.

“
Good idea.” Levi put his arm around me as we headed to the front entrance. He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Is this okay,
friend
?”

“
Please don’t start,” I pleaded quietly. Dinner might be worse than I thought.

“
Oh, I haven’t gotten started yet, babe.”

“
Lovely.”

We were given a corner table at the Palace Café. I was seated between Levi and my father, and my mother sat directly across from me. The way she smiled at me as we perused the menu let me know she was also gearing up.

Thankfully, things stayed calm long enough for Dad to order wine.

“
So Levi, are you in school or have you graduated?”

“
I’m about to start my senior year at Tulane.”

“
Any plans yet for after graduation?” Dad asked.

“
Dad, you don’t need to interrogate him.”

“
It’s fine. I don’t mind in the slightest. I’m going to be working in the family business,” Levi explained.

“
And what kind of business is that?” Dad asked with obvious interest.

“
It’s a large diversified corporation; we’ve got hands in a lot of places.”

“
Sounds a lot like my own. What did you say the name was?”

“
I didn’t. It’s the Laurent Corporation.”

“
Oh wow, I had no idea.”

Levi smiled politely.

“
Will your business keep you in New Orleans, Levi? Any plans to spend time in the Northeast after graduation?”

“
We’re very locally based, but there are some travel opportunities if I’m inclined.”

“
I see.” Mom smiled lightly.

The waiter brought over the wine and we ordered dinner. I hoped the conversation would lighten up.

“
How did you two meet?”

I deliberated how to answer, but Levi didn’t give me a chance. “Your daughter first caught my eye in the lobby of the hotel, but I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting her formally until I ran into her at a karaoke bar of all places.”

“
A karaoke bar?” Mom said with surprise.

“
Yes. Allie and her friend did a lovely rendition of
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
.”

“
I was wondering about that. Why isn’t Jessica joining us tonight?” Dad asked.

Mom’s face turned to stone. “Do you mean to tell me you weren’t aware that Jess left weeks ago? You had no idea of this when you left our daughter alone in a hotel suite on Bourbon Street of all places and with Casanova over there?” Mom pointed to Levi who smirked.

I spared my dad from answering. “Mom, I’m starting college in the fall, I don’t need to be babysat.”

“
Princeton is not New Orleans.”

“
No it’s not, but it’s still unsupervised. Besides, I could have come to college in New Orleans if I wanted.”

Levi looked at me with interest.

“
But you’re not. Your father shouldn’t have left you.”

“
What’s done is done, it’s not an issue. Now please can we enjoy the evening?” As if on cue, our meals arrived and I sighed with relief.

“
So where do you live, Levi? Are you on campus?” Dad asked, trying to put someone else on the hot seat.

“
I only lived on campus one year. I live in an apartment with a few friends. It’s a nice place. Isn’t it, Allie?”

I kicked him under the table, what was he playing at?

“
Oh, Allie has seen it?” Mom asked.

“
Yes, she’s spent plenty of evenings there.”

I was going to kill him. “Evenings meaning hanging out. The only time I stayed over was on the couch. Okay? Can we please change the subject?”

“
Of course.” Levi smirked again. “So Diane, how long are you in town for?”

“
I leave tomorrow morning. I only wanted to check in on Allie since no one else apparently is.”

“
Oh, that’s too bad. I would have loved to introduce you to my parents.”