Not So Suddenly Soulmates, page 9
“I’ve been trying to finish up projects at my current job, so I can quit and not leave them hanging. I’ve been working pretty late.” And you’ve been avoiding her.
“That’s the biggest load of crock I’ve ever heard.” His dad shook his head. “Sounds more like you’ve been avoiding her.”
Levi frowned. When did Dad become psychic? “I’m not avoiding her per se.”
“Right. Cough it up. What happened between you two?”
Levi took a deep breath. “Well, you see…” He spent the next ten minutes catching his dad up on everything that had happened. “And after I told her to think about it until we left. Then I realized it meant I had to do the same. I’ve dug through feelings I didn’t know I had. I tried going on dates and that didn’t work. I think I’m ready to tell her I want to try this dating thing with her but I’m also trying to give her the time I told her I would.”
“It’s about damn time you two figured out you need to be more than friends. Jen, Leon, and I have been saying this forever.”
Levi chuckled. “You’re not the only ones. I just…”
Fletcher put his hand on his son’s and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay to be scared about this. You’re having feelings you’ve never had before. Let’s face it, you’re stepping into a situation you’ve never been in before.”
“I’ve dated plenty, Dad.”
“Take every one-night stand out you’ve had. Have you dated?”
Levi racked his brain trying to remember the last time he’d been on a second or third date. “Probably not. I don’t even think I dated girls in high school longer than one date. I had my best friend. The only thing I needed from other girls was sex.”
“Take the time you’ve given yourself. Work through what you need to work through. Then when you get on the plane, tell her how you feel.”
“Thanks, Dad. You’re right.” Levi smiled. “Hopefully this doesn’t backfire.”
Chapter Nineteen
RHI
June 8th
Rhi answered Levi’s call with the hands-free device on her steering wheel. “Please tell me you’re still coming.”
“I just got here. I was calling to find out if you were still coming.”
“How did we end up heading to the airport with the family again?”
“Your dad canceled our plane tickets because he didn’t want us to pay for it.” Levi chuckled.
“Great, a three-hour drive to Chicago with my sisters and a six-year-old.”
“I’m not sure Milo’s coming. He’s not here.”
She pulled into the driveway. “I’m here now.”
“See you in a minute.”
She opened the door as her phone rang again. “Hey. I’ll be right in.”
“Where are you? I need you at the office.”
Rhi looked at her phone. “Oh, hi, Delilah. I’m at my parents’ house right now. We’re leaving for the airport in less than an hour.”
“What the hell do you mean you’re leaving? Where are you going?”
“I told you this last week when I asked for my vacation time. My family owns an island in the Caribbean. I’m going with my family and Levi.”
“Levi. Right. The friend you’re moving an hour a way for.” Delilah let out a heavy breath. “Listen, I have a ninety-day social media marketing plan I need to get started the moment you get back. No questions asked. It’s already put together. You just have to schedule and/or post it and keep up with the messages. If you could check the sites while you’re on vacation, that would be even better. I don’t want to miss any potential business.”
“Why would you put together a social media plan without consulting me? Isn’t that what I was hired to do?” Rhi scowled and hit the steering wheel of her car. God, she infuriates me.
“I hired you to do the posting and responding. I don’t need your help with social media. That’s my job.”
Rhi growled. “Are you serious? I freaking spent four years in college doing social media marketing research about what sells and what doesn’t and you’re telling me it’s not my job? Do you even know what goes into making a marketing plan? The hours?”
“This isn’t my first rodeo. I know what I’m doing, and I put this plan together. This is my company and you’ll do what I say. Not what you want to do. You want to do something else, go find another job.”
Rhi screamed in her head. “Fine. But I’m not working while we’re on vacation. I’ll be back in the office next Tuesday, ready to start your marketing plan.”
“Good. No working from home either. I need you physically in the office for this plan to succeed.”
Rhi rolled her eyes. “Fine, whatever. I’ll be there.”
“Good.” Delilah hung up the phone.
She hit her steering wheel again, took a deep breath, and fled into the madhouse. A hand grasped her arm as soon as she was in the house and pulled her into a tight embrace in the dark foyer. Levi’s scent enveloped her, and she nestled into his chest. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” Levi kissed her head. “I can’t wait to be done with all this and talk.”
“Why’d we have to ride with them?” Rhi groaned. “I wanted to spend time with you. Especially after you were gone the last three days.”
“I needed to sort some things out. And I wanted to give you some alone time to think things through too.”
She grasped his shirt. “I didn’t need the extra time. I made my decision.”
Levi moved her away from him. “Tell me what you decided.”
Mason stepped into the foyer and motioned for them to follow. “Hey, Rhi. Levi. Get in here. Mom’s ready to go.”
Levi moaned. “Can you give us a minute?”
“Mom said I’m not allowed to leave you two until you follow me.” Mason bounced on his heels and looked everywhere but at the two of them.
Levi growled. “Fine. Maybe we’ll have a moment to ourselves on the plane.”
“Doubtful.” Rhi took a step away from him and turned to follow Mason.
“Glad you two could join us.” Jen grinned. “Mason, you’re in the back with Lex, Chelsea, and Kym. Rhi and Levi in the next seat, Dad and I will be in the front row ’cause Edge is driving.”
Kym rolled her eyes. “Mom, we haven’t needed seating charts since Elementary school.”
Jen laughed. “Right. Okay fine. Pick your own seats then. We’ll see how it works. Suitcases are packed. Let’s go.”
Rhi pointed toward the door. “Mine are in my trunk.”
“I got them out while you were talking to Levi in the foyer.” Edge patted her on the shoulder and headed out to the van.
“Where’s Milo?” Rhi glanced over at Sara.
“Staying with Aunt Sandie. The family seems to think we need grown-up time.” Sara chuckled.
“Go on. I’ll let you all choose your seats then take whatever’s left.” Kym plopped down on the couch and crossed her legs, batting her eyes at Levi.
Levi put his arm around Rhi, turned her to the door, and walked outside. “Would have worked out better if we’d gone with your mom’s seating chart.”
“Right? Kym’s totally going to be with us now.” Rhi clenched her teeth as she climbed in the van, sitting in the middle of the row. “She’s not out here yet. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”
Levi sat in the aisle seat and leaned close to her ear. “I upgraded us to first class. We should have some alone time on the plane.”
“Come on, Levi. You know we have no secrets here.” Kym beamed at him and motioned for them to move. “I have to sit by the window or I get car sick.”
Rhi pointed over her shoulder. “The window seat behind us is wide open and so is the one in front of us.”
“Yeah, I’m not sitting back there and watching Chelsea and Lex make out the entire time.”
“If it makes you feel better, I can make out with Rhi the whole way.” Levi grinned and climbed out of the van.
Kym smirked at Rhi and climbed over her to the window seat. She patted the seat next to her and beckoned for Levi to sit down. “Move over, Rhi.”
Rhi shook her head. “Nope. Levi will be more comfortable on the outside. Deal with it.”
Jen groaned. “Just get in the damn van!”
“Yes, ma’am!” Levi hopped back into his seat and shut the door.
Kym glared at her sister and folded her arms over her chest.
Rhi blew out a deep breath.
This is going to be the longest three hours ever.
Chapter Twenty
LEVI
June 8th
Levi stretched out in the first class seat while he waited for Rhi to finish chatting to her parents.
A woman and a young girl walked over and sat in the two seats in front of them.
The little girl turned in her seat and stared at him. “Why are you alone?”
“My girlfriend is talking to someone she knows in the main cabin.”
“Sit down, honey.” The mother patted the girl on her shoulder.
“No, I want to sit next to him.” She pointed back to Levi.
“Honey, this is our row. He has someone traveling with him.”
The little girl stood in the aisle and stamped her feet. “I want to sit there.” She motioned to Rhi’s seat.
“Caroline, you’re not going to get your way this time.” Her mother stood and took the girl’s arm.
Levi leaned toward the mother and whispered in her ear. “Let her sit there then you and I can change seats when my girlfriend arrives.”
The mother smiled at him. “Thanks.” She turned to her daughter. “Okay, honey. This nice man has agreed to let you sit there.”
Caroline beamed and hopped into the seat next to Levi.
Rhi walked into first class and frowned at the girl in her seat. “Was there a mistake in booking?”
“It’s all been figured out. You’re sitting right up there.” He gestured to the seat next to the girl’s mother.
She stood up. “Sorry about this.”
“Ohhkay.” Rhi sat down in the other seat.
Levi rose and changed places with the mother. “The little girl wanted to sit there so we all switched.”
“Okayyyy.” Rhi chuckled. “Even the little ones like you.”
“Yeah, no. I’m not one for kids.”
“Good.”
Rhi jumped. “She’s got a sharp kick.”
Levi tilted his head to see Caroline standing and kicking the back of Rhi’s seat.
“Ma’am.” He motioned to her daughter.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She grabbed her daughter and put her back in her seat. “I’m Charlotte, by the way.”
Rhi snuggled into Levi’s. “Are we going to talk about what we decided?”
“We are.” He kissed her head.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned the fasten seatbelt light on.” The flight attendant announced through the speaker.
“But not now.” He blew out a breath.
“Shhhh,” Caroline shushed them. “The lady is talking,” she shouted.
Rhi giggled.
As soon as the plane took off, Caroline sobbed loud enough that everyone in first class turned to look. This lasted until the seatbelt light went off and the flight attendant announced they could move about the cabin. Caroline was out of her seat and in Levi’s lap in less than a minute. “I wanna sit with you.”
“You can’t sit on my lap and this other seat is taken.” Levi put his hands up, so the least amount of him was touching the little girl.
“I want it and I’m going to scream until I get it.” She let out a blood-curdling wail, which caused the flight attendants to rush toward them.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Charlotte picked up her daughter off Levi’s lap and cuddled her close, causing the screams to intensify.
“I want to sit next to him.” Caroline wriggled out of her mother’s arms then stomped her feet.
One of the flight attendants touched her shoulder. “You need to sit in your own seat, young lady.”
Caroline screamed louder. “I want to sit by him.”
Levi sank down in his seat. “And this is the reason I want nothing to do with kids.”
“You and me both.” Rhi covered her ears.
“Sir, would it be all right if she sits next to you?”
Levi’s eyes grew wide. “You’re not serious, are you? You’d let your little kid sit next to a stranger?”
“I’m right here, and I think everyone on the plane would be grateful if she stopped screaming.”
Rhi shook her head. “Guess we’ll have our conversation later.” She moved past Levi and into the seat next to Charlotte.
Levi blew out a deep breath and motioned for Caroline to sit down. How many times had he been on a plane with Rhi’s parents? Jen and Leon would never have allowed their children to act like that.
Caroline gave him a big grin, plopped down beside him, and leaned on his arm. “Sometimes I get boogers…and I eat them.”
“Ma’am.” Levi looked for a flight attendant.
“Yes, sir?”
“I upgraded my girlfriend and I to first class but I can’t do this. Can you upgrade someone else, so we can go back to business class?”
“No!” Caroline screamed. “I want to sit with you!”
Levi stood. “No, sorry. I’m not risking a little girl or her mother making any kind of claims against me just to make sure she stops screaming.”
The flight attendant turned to Charlotte. “He’s right. I don’t want that liability either. You’re going to have to take your daughter back to your seats.”
“She’s going to scream the entire trip if she doesn’t get what she wants.”
“That’s on you, not me. I’ll take your seat, so you don’t have to move her.”
Her mother nodded and took his seat.
Caroline started screaming as soon as her mother sat down.
The flight attendant looked at Charlotte. “If she can’t calm down before we begin takeoff, we’ll have to ask you to take a later flight.”
Levi took the seat next to Rhi. “This is going to be the longest flight ever.”
“That’s what I thought about the ride here.”
“Agreed. Why didn’t we fly private?” Levi rested his head back against the seat.
“The plane was out for maintenance and Mom and Dad figured it would just be easier to fly commercial.” Rhi cocked her head and gave him a slight smile. “Did you just call me your girlfriend?”
“I did.”
“Does that mean that’s your decision?”
Caroline turned around in her seat and glared at Rhi. “I hate you!” She let out another blood curdling scream.
They both covered their ears.
“Caroline!” Her mother pulled her back into her seat. “We can’t get kicked off this plane. You need to be quiet.”
“Yes but let’s talk when we get to the island. There’s no telling what kind of issues we’ll have before we get there.”
Rhi sighed and leaned her head against him.“We can’t get there fast enough.”
Chapter Twenty-One
RHI
June 8th
The moon shone through the window as Rhi stretched out on the king-sized bed. Every time they visited Edgerly Island, they stayed in the same private residence.
There was a knock on her door.
“Come in.” She rolled onto her back and scooted herself up until she was sitting against the headboard.
Levi smiled. “Hey.”
“Come sit down and talk to me.” She patted the spot beside her.
He climbed onto the bed next to Rhi. “That was a crazy trip.”
“I don’t think my eardrums will ever recover from the terror name Caroline. I’m just glad she fell asleep on the second leg of our trip.” She rubbed her ears.
“It was hilarious when your mom gave her the look at the airport during the layover. She was fairly quiet after that.”
“Until we got back on the plane.”
Levi put his arm around her and kissed her head. “So we’re dating.”
“Did you ask me what I thought about the whole situation or are we just going with your decision?” She chuckled.
“I mean, if your decision is the same as mine, then yes. If not, well, you’re wrong and I may need to kiss you until you agree with me.” He grinned.
Rhi smacked him in the chest. “You’re an ass.”
“You wouldn’t have me any other way though.”
“I agree with you about us dating now but I have questions.”
“Questions about what?”
“If we do the friends with benefits thing, are we still going to be sleeping with other people?”
Levi opened his mouth to respond but Rhi held her hand up.
“What happens if it doesn’t work out? What if we suck in bed together? What if there isn’t any chemistry?”
“You can’t say there’s no chemistry. My whole body tingles every time you touch me.” Levi slid his fingers down her arm. “Tell me you don’t feel something?”
“Well, of course I do. My body gets hot and I want to kiss you like crazy.” She laughed. “Okay, so maybe there’s some chemistry, but what about—”
Levi lowered her onto the bed then swept his tongue across her lip, meeting hers in a sensuous dance.
Rhi moaned “What was that for?”
“You’re cute when you think too much.” He smoothed her hair and sat up. “I don’t want to sleep with anyone else if we’re going to do this. Either way, I want it to be just us.”
“Then why even mention friends with benefits? That doesn’t suggest exclusivity.”
“True. But the idea of calling it a relationship is scary.” He rolled off of her then held his arm out for her.
Rhi rolled her eyes and snuggled against him. “That’s because you’ve never had one.
“Are we going to do this or not?”
She kissed his cheek. “Well, of course we are.”
