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“They care about me. A lot. Especially after ...” He trailed off and then shook his head. “I have a habit of making problems go away, and that includes any of mine. It drives them nuts. So when I suddenly announced that I have a fiancée, you can imagine how they reacted.”
“Well, itissort of shocking. But at least they care about you.”
“I’m lucky to have them. And you will be too.”
“They’re only gonna know me for a little while. I’m not getting attached.”
“We have no idea how long this thing will go on for, and judging by what Calvin is trying to do with Leviathan, it might be?—”
“What’s Calvin doing to your company? Other than stealing doctors and the ads.”
Levi paused and his shoulders tensed. “It’s ... just that.”
“Hm, try again. I can tell when people are lying.”
“And I can tell that boring office talk doesn’t interest you.”
It was a good response, and if I hadn’t just reminded myself about his possible secret agenda, maybe I would have taken it.
But if I didn’t know how bad Calvin was making things for Levi, then I didn’t know how bad the revenge could be. Or how swept up into it I would be this time.
“Anyway,” he said pointedly, “I’m just trying to say that this doesn’t have an end date.”
“Nice diversion,” I replied. “Consider it a wedding gift that I don’t dig further.”
“That’s a nice gift.” He took another bite.
I did the same, but I knew I wouldn’t be letting this go. I wouldn’t be caught like I had been all of those years ago. Iwasgoing to figure out what was happening with his company.
And then I’d figure out just how hurt I would be in the end.
Levi leftafter we finished the food. Once I was alone, I pulled out my phone and tried to think of a way to connect with his coworkers.
I despised the idea of social media, but I despised getting the wool pulled over my eyes even more. I made a quick profile using an old picture I had on my phone, and then found Levi, then his coworkers. I sent a friend request to the first one I could find, which was Sally, and then leaned back on my couch.
A few minutes later, I got a message from V.
V
I’ve been a bad book club member. I haven’t read in a week.
Same. I can’t focus on it. At least our reading slumps are the same?
One of us can see the positives. How are you?
I tapped on my phone, unsure of how much detail I should go into.
Oh, you know. Making bad decisions one at a time.
Can they really be that bad?
I don’t see how they can be good. But I’m doing it anyway.
Does what you’re doing help you?
Yes. In the short-term. Maybe the long-term. It’s not that, honestly. It’s that I’m gonna get hurt in the end.
This could be the time it doesn’t end that way.