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I paused with the glass halfway up to my lips. That was aman’svoice. Not just any man’s, but one who definitely should not be here.
Levi Hensen was the one person Calvin couldnotcharm. They’d met in high school when Calvin was on the wrestling team with him. Levi was the top performer, and Calvin had tried desperately to catch up. When it didn’t work, Calvin threw a hissy fit, demanding Levi take extra time to train him.
And Levi said no.
That was the start of the decline between the two of them. Things only grew colder ever since. I never talked to Levi since he was always in the popular crowd. I wasn’t even aware he knew my name, especially since he was busy conquering the college we all went to.
Calvin had always said he wanted to take Levi down a peg and even followed him to my college to do so. So far, Levi was as vicious as he was smart. He challenged Calvin in every way and then beat him at his own game.
“I think you have the wrong person,” I said. “I’m Amy, Calvin’s sister.”
“I know.”
“And most people don’t look for me.”
“That’s a shame.”
I stared at him, his words not computing. “Is this a joke or something?”
“The only joke here is your twin brother, but he’s not in the room right now, and I couldn’t care less about him.”
“How did you get invited to his party?”
“I thought the party was for the both of you.”
“It is, but he’s the star of the show and had control of the guest list.”
Levi leaned against the counter. “If you must know, he invited me to show off.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Not really, especially since it’s also your birthday and no one seems to be lining up to talk to you.”
“You don’t know me. I don’twantpeople lining up.”
“How about justoneperson?” he asked.
“And who might that be?”
“Me. Happy birthday, Amy Willard.”
His voice curled around my name, making my skin erupt in gooseflesh. “T-thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Can I ask how you’re spending your nineteenth birthday?”
“Mostly here. And then I’ll pick a book for my book club on Monday.”
“You have the one that meets at the library every week, right?”
“I do. How did you know?”
“I tried to book one of the study rooms once, but they were all taken at the time. Mostly by people doing homework, though the one you were in was very lively. Everyone seemed to be having fun.”
“You probably caught us when we were reading a really good book. We’ve been told to quiet down a few times. Sorry you couldn’t reserve the room, though.”
“It’s not a problem. It made me finally realize there was another, far better Willard at our school.”
“Just because I’m not annoying to you doesn’t make me better.”