Page 85 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

“It was more a stroke of good luck than anything.” His hands clutched a towel, wiping the messes he’d created off the pale granite countertops. “Do you need more wine?”

Avoiding my question now, are we?

Anika nodded even though her limit was quickly approaching. She toed the balance between feeling light and soft and being too far gone. “But only if you drink with me.”And answer my question.

“I was planning on it now that the sharp objects are all put away.” Glass rang as he set another wine glass down next to hers.

“Bold of you to assume I don’t have any on me.” Internally, Anika was face palming herself. Externally, the wine and promise of delicious food made her more forthcoming.

“I–well, I suppose you’re right.” His stutter made her feel slightly better as he set a plate in front of her. “But only if you promise not to not wield it against me. Unless your meal isn’t cooked to your preference, then all bets are off.”

Settling in where she sat, she avoided moving to the dining table. It was too formal for her tastes. Anika grinned as Levi raised his hands in surrender as he waited for her to take the first bite.

The creamy sauce steamed on her spoon, but she carefully sipped at it anyway. The gnocchi melted on her tongue while the richmushrooms burst across her taste buds. The carrots, onions, and celery were soft and seasoned perfectly which made her opinion of Levi raise slightly. Chives garnished the plate, enhancing the flavor of everything, and Anika could do nothing but note her praise to the man standing across from her.

“This is actually…really good.” She commended, her pretty smile enough to cause his shoulders to relax.

“I don’t know if I should be flattered that you enjoyed it or offended that you thought it’d be bad.” He took a sip of his drink as he grabbed his own plate. She didn’t miss the slight grimace on his face as he sat next to her. He quickly schooled his features back into a look of playfulness when he realized she was watching.

“Flattered,” she supplied before taking another bite. “I don’t give out compliments often.”

“Good to know.”

“But don’t think your good cooking will distract me from my original question. Why Romanov Real Estate?”

His audible swallow made her smile. “What do you want to know?”

“Anything. I’ve told you all about me, it’s your turn now. Do you always mix business with pleasure, Levi?”

Levi coughed, his food settling wrong, but he was quick to chase it with Malbec. “I, erm, well, when I was younger, people always used to tell me I was a talker.”

“Never would’ve guessed.” She playfully bumped his arm.

With a laugh, he continued. “As a kid, I wanted the adults to notice me, and from a young age I figured out I could do that by speaking with them. Entertaining them in a way.

“I was always considered the life of any party—a fact my dad came to resent me for in college.”

“I can only imagine the trouble you caused.”

“I feel bad for it now, but at the time I’d told my dad that this iswhat he wanted for us: a college experience and education.”

“Us?”

A sheepish smile formed as he chewed. “Yeah, I have an older brother.”

“You both went to college then?” Her spoon scraped unpleasantly against the bowl.

“Yes…although he was the one that actually made it to graduation. I’d experienced it for two years and decided it was too overpriced and stuffy for my rebellious tastes.”

Anika swallowed her food. “Can’t say I’m surprised by that.”

“Yeah, no one ever is,” a faint chuckle holding more than humor slipped past his lips. “My brother is the rule follower, but me…I thought I had life figured out. And the life I drew up for myself didnotinclude college, so I began working random retail jobs since I was a great front-facing employee. That was how I met Alek.”

Anika’s blood froze, but she continued eating even if her stomach felt like it was lined with lead.

“He was buying out the strip mall I worked in, but when we’d met by coincidence he deemed me as someone valuable. Despite my lack of degree and flashy work history, he hired me on at Romanov. It was a dream come true. People liked andtrustedme to sell. Plus I was a quick learner.”

“Lucky, indeed,” Anika commented. “Your personality seems to be the most valuable piece of your resume.”