Chapter 15: 12

The park was a masterpiece of fading sunlight and dusky shadows as the community event wound down, leaving behind soft laughter and the murmur of conversations. I leaned against the rough wooden fence at the park’s edge, watching Levi charm his way through a group of volunteers. His grin was as irritating as it was captivating, the kind of smile that made it impossible to look away—even when I wanted to.

“Hey, Cora!” His voice rang out, confident and unmistakably amused. He waved me over, the twinkle in his eye daring me to roll mine. “Hanging around just to watch me work my magic, huh?”

I pushed myself off the fence, letting my footsteps carry an air of calm indifference. “I was actually hoping to catch the last bit of peace before your inevitable gloating.”

Levi smirked, the corner of his mouth curving upward. “Gloating? That doesn’t sound like me at all. But since you’re here, what do you say to a little after-party adventure?”

I crossed my arms, pretending I wasn’t intrigued. “What kind of adventure are we talking about?”

He pointed to a brightly lit tent nearby, where the sign read *Escape Room Challenge*. The setup was modest but enticing, with clues scattered inside and the promise of mystery.

“I’ve always wanted to try one of these,” he said, glancing at me with a gleam of challenge in his eyes. “You and me. Let’s see how we do as a team.”

A laugh escaped before I could stop it. “You want to team up? You, the reigning king of competition?”

“It’s not about beating you this time,” he said, eyes softening just enough to make my pulse skip. “It’s about seeing what we’re capable of when we’re not trying to outdo each other.”

The sincerity in his voice was disarming, so I nodded, letting my own smirk surface. “Alright, but if we fail, it’s going on your record.”

“Fair enough,” he replied with a playful salute. “Prepare to be impressed.”

The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. Gone was the open, lively park. Here, it was just us, surrounded by cryptic messages and a ticking clock. Levi’s confidence was infectious as we sifted through scattered papers and inspected hidden compartments.

“Found a clue,” he announced, pulling a scrap of paper from beneath a table. He read it aloud, brows furrowed in concentration. “It’s a code. Think you can crack it, Abel?”

I leaned in, our shoulders brushing as I scanned the message. “A substitution cipher. Shouldn’t be too hard.”

He gave a low whistle, eyes glancing sideways. “Color me impressed. I knew you were smart, but this...”

“Less talking, more solving, Carson,” I shot back, trying to ignore the way his compliment settled warmly in my chest.

We threw ideas back and forth, the room filled with quips and groans whenever we hit a roadblock. Levi’s quick thinking surprised me; he was sharper than I expected. And when he’d make an over-the-top comment, I’d pretend not to laugh, though my smile usually gave me away.

“Look at you, actually useful,” I teased when he figured out a particularly tricky riddle.

“Keep that up, and I might start believing you enjoy my company,” he fired back, his eyes catching mine in a moment that lingered just a breath longer than usual.

Finally, with one last click, the final lock released, and the door swung open. Victory flooded my senses, and Levi’s triumphant grin was contagious.

“We did it!” he said, holding his hand up for a high five. When our palms met, his fingers lingered a beat, sending a shiver up my arm. “Looks like we make a pretty great team, after all.”

“Temporary truce,” I corrected, though my smile softened the jab. “But yes, not terrible.”

We stepped out into the cool night air, the quiet of the park a sharp contrast to the excitement still thrumming in my veins. Levi’s expression shifted as he looked at me, more sincere than I was used to seeing.

“I had fun tonight,” he said, a hint of vulnerability breaking through the cocky exterior. “It’s nice seeing this side of you.”

I felt my defenses crack just a little. “Yeah, me too.”

His grin turned softer, more genuine. “So how about we keep the streak going? Dinner tomorrow night. No puzzles, no competition. Just us.”

The invitation made my heart stutter, but I nodded, keeping my voice steady. “Dinner sounds good. But don’t think this means I’m going easy on you next time.”

Levi laughed, the sound warm and full. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As we walked out of the park, the evening breeze whispered between us, filled with the promise of whatever came next. And for once, I was more than ready to see where it would lead.

Hi! Thank you so much for joining me in this chapter.

I loved writing Cora and Levi’s flirty, competitive dynamic—it’s where their relationship starts to shift, and those moments are always my favorite.

I hope their banter brought a smile to your face!

PS : This is a different escape room!

Let me know your thoughts and predictions—how do you think their dinner will go? Drop a comment to share your favorite part or what you’re excited for next!

— sky