"Are you sure you don't like each other? Because, girl, if this is what it looks like when someone doesn't like you, then where's my guy?" Spencer teased, sinking onto the bench beside me.
I bit my lip and looked away, but she wasn't wrong. She could read me better than anyone, and lately, even I had started questioning everything. Levi was everywhere, in every part of my life, and no matter how hard I tried to push him away, he just kept coming back. More persistent, more charming.
"You're being quiet," Spencer noted, narrowing her eyes. "Which is weird for you. Come on, Cora, spill it. What's going on with you and Levi?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "There's nothing going on."
Spencer raised an eyebrow. "Oh, *really*? Because the way he looks at you, the way you two are always at each other's throats... Please. It's not nothing."
I shook my head, but my silence said more than I wanted it to. The truth was, I didn't know what was going on between Levi and me. Sure, we were rivalsâhad been for years. The charity auction was just the latest battle in a long line of petty victories between us. But ever since that night, something had shifted.
Levi had been flirting with me. Flirting. And worse, I had started to flirt back.
Spencer leaned in, her grin widening as she saw the conflict on my face. "Come on, Cora. You're smart, but you're not that oblivious. Levi likes you. And honestly? It looks like you might like him back."
"No," I said quickly, shaking my head again as if I could make the thought disappear. "It's just a game to him. It's always a game with Levi."
Spencer gave me a look. "A game? Girl, the only game I see is the one you're playing with your own heart. If this is just a game, why is he always around? Why do you let him get under your skin?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words got stuck in my throat. She had a point. Levi wasn't just my rival anymore. He wasn't just the guy who drove me crazy with his constant one-upmanship. Somewhere along the way, he'd become... more.
"See?" Spencer nudged me with her elbow, her tone smug. "You're not denying it."
"I don't know what I'm doing," I admitted, my voice quiet. "He's justâugh! He's Levi. He's infuriating and cocky, and I can't stand how he always manages to twist everything into some kind of competition."
"Yeah, but you love it," Spencer said with a knowing smile. "Admit it, Cora. You love the banter, the challenge. It's why you've kept him around all these years. And now? He's finally pushing the boundary you've both been dancing around for who knows how long."
I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling exposed. "It's not like that."
"Really?" Spencer's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Then why is he texting you right now?"
I blinked, glancing down at my phone, which had buzzed in my lap. Sure enough, Levi's name lit up the screen.
Spencer leaned in, practically vibrating with excitement. "What does it say? Tell me!"
I opened the message, my heart thudding in my chest.
Levi: Dinner tonight? D'Amico's at 7. Don't keep me waiting. Bring Spencer too.
I rolled my eyes, already irritated by the commanding tone in his text. "He wants to meet for dinner."
Spencer's eyes widened. "A date? Oh my god, Cora, this is huge!"
"It's not a date! You are invited too" I said, but my stomach fluttered at the idea. "It's just dinner. Probably another opportunity for him to gloat about something. Or maybe he's got another stupid competition in mind."
Spencer leaned back, crossing her arms. "If you believe that, why are we going?"
I stared at the message again, trying to figure out why I was so tempted to meet him. It wasn't a date. Levi and I didn't do dates. We did arguments, banter, one-upmanship. This was just another round of our ongoing rivalry... right?
"Fine," I muttered, standing up. "We'll go. But only to see what he's up to."
Spencer grinned. "I knew it. Let's get ready."
An hour later, Spencer and I were outside D'Amico's, the city's most upscale Italian restaurant. The soft glow of candlelight spilled from the windows, and I felt a knot form in my stomach. This wasn't the kind of place Levi and I went toâthis wasn't casual. This wasn't competitive. This felt... different.
"Nervous?" Spencer teased, nudging me as we stepped inside.
"No," I lied, adjusting my leather jacket over the simple black dress she'd insisted I wear. "Just curious. Levi doesn't do things like this for no reason."
Spencer arched an eyebrow. "You're telling yourself that because it's safer than admitting he might actually like you."
I shot her a look, but before I could argue, the hostess greeted us. "Do you have a reservation?"
"Yeah," I said quickly. "I'm meeting someone. Levi Carson."
The hostess checked the list, then nodded. "Right this way."
Spencer gave me an excited look as we followed the hostess through the softly lit dining room, the sound of clinking glasses and quiet conversation filling the space. I scanned the tables, searching for Levi. But when I spotted him, my heart stopped.
There he was, near the back of the restaurant, with his arms wrapped around a girl. A tall, brunette girl with perfect hair and a perfect smile. She was leaning into him, laughing, and he was... hugging her.
I froze in place, my breath catching in my throat.
"Cora..." Spencer's voice was soft, hesitant. She had seen it too.
My chest tightened as a thousand thoughts rushed through my mind. Who was she? What was Levi doing? Why did it hurt so much to see him with her?
Without thinking, I turned on my heel, heading straight for the door.
"Cora, wait!" Spencer called, but I didn't stop. I couldn't.
As I reached the door, I heard his voice.
"Cora!"
I stopped, my hand on the handle, but I didn't turn around. I couldn't bear to face him. Not now. Not after seeing that.
I stood there, frozen, wondering what I'd do next.