Levi's eyes lingered on me, and for a split second, I saw something flash across his faceâsomething that made my breath catch. Was it surprise? Approval? Whatever it was, it was gone just as quickly, replaced by his usual smirk. He excused himself from the group he was with and started walking towards me, his confident stride making my heart race.
Spencer, who was in the middle of saying something to Ethan, noticed Levi approaching and shot me a quick, excited look. "Looks like the main event is about to start," she whispered, her voice full of mischief.
I tried to appear nonchalant as Levi stopped in front of our table, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his tailored suit. He looked sharpâannoyingly soâand I couldn't help but notice how the deep navy of his suit brought out the intensity of his blue eyes.
"Cora," he said, his voice smooth as ever. "You look... different tonight."
I raised an eyebrow, forcing myself to remain composed. "Different?"
"In a good way," he clarified, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I almost didn't recognize you."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" I asked, crossing my arms. I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or irritated by his comment.
Levi chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Take it however you want. But I'll admit, you've got me curious."
"Curious?" I echoed, tilting my head slightly. "About what?"
"About whether you're here to outbid me or just outshine me," he replied, leaning in slightly as if sharing a secret. "Or both."
My pulse quickened, and I fought to keep my cool. Levi had always had a way of getting under my skin, but tonight, I was determined not to let him win so easily. "I guess you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"
He gave me a long, assessing look, as if trying to figure out my angle. Then, with a small nod, he straightened up. "Fair enough. Just know that I'm ready for whatever you throw at me."
I couldn't help but smirk at that. "Don't worry, Levi. I wouldn't dream of going easy on you."
"Good," he said, his voice low and filled with challenge. "Because I wouldn't want it any other way."
With that, he turned and walked back to his side of the room, leaving me standing there with my heart racing and my mind spinning. I could feel Spencer's eyes on me, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her just yet. What had just happened? It felt like our usual banter, but there was something more to itâsomething charged and electric that made my skin tingle.
"Okay, that was intense," Spencer whispered, finally breaking the silence. "Are you sure you two don't like each other?"
I sighed, shaking my head. "I don't know anymore, Spence. It's like... I don't know what we are. But whatever it is, it's confusing as hell."
Ethan, who had been watching the exchange with mild curiosity, spoke up. "It sounds like there's a lot of unresolved tension between you two. Maybe this auction will help you sort it out."
"Or make it even more complicated," I muttered, not sure which outcome was more likely.
The night wore on, with the auction officially kicking off soon after Levi's little visit. The atmosphere was lively, with people milling about, placing bids on various items, and enjoying the evening's entertainment. I tried to focus on the task at handâraising as much money as possible for the children's hospitalâbut every time I looked up, my eyes seemed to find Levi. He was doing the same, mingling with other guests, but there was an edge to his demeanor, like he was just as aware of my presence as I was of his.
When the bidding began, things quickly heated up. The items up for auction were impressiveâartwork, luxury vacations, high-end electronicsâand the competition was fierce. I found myself bidding on several items, not just because they were for a good cause, but because I knew Levi was watching. I could feel his eyes on me every time I raised my paddle, and it only fueled my determination.
The final item of the night was the one everyone had been waiting forâa painting of a beautiful sunset. The colors used, the techniques used to make this painting increased the value it had. The bidding started slow and quickly escalated, with several of the wealthier guests trying to outdo each other. But then Levi jumped in, raising the bid to a high amount, and suddenly, all eyes were on him.
I hesitated for a moment, considering my options. This was more than just a paintingâit was a statement. Winning this bid would not only mean a huge donation to the hospital, but it would also send a clear message to Levi that I wasn't afraid to go head-to-head with him.
Taking a deep breath, I raised my paddle, upping the bid. A murmur rippled through the crowd, and I could see people turning to look at me, surprised by my boldness. But I wasn't backing down, not tonight.
Levi's eyes locked onto mine from across the room, and for a moment, it felt like it was just the two of us, the rest of the world fading into the background. He raised his paddle again, adding to the bid, his expression daring me to keep going.
My heart pounded in my chest as I considered my next move. This wasn't just about the money anymoreâit was about pride, about proving something to myself and to him. I had always prided myself on being strong, independent, and unshakeable. And I wasn't about to let Leviâof all peopleâchallenge that.
Without breaking eye contact, I raised my paddle one last time, adding a significant amount to the bid. The auctioneer called out the new price, and the room fell silent, all eyes on Levi. He hesitated, his gaze still locked on mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of somethingâadmiration, respect, maybe even a hint of surrender.
But then, with a small, almost imperceptible smile, Levi lowered his paddle. The auctioneer called out the final bid, and the crowd erupted into applause, congratulating me on winning the prize. I forced a smile, accepting the congratulations graciously, but inside, my thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions.
As the applause died down, I glanced over at Levi, who was watching me with that same unreadable expression. He gave me a small nod, a silent acknowledgment of my victory, before turning away and disappearing into the crowd.
Spencer was at my side in an instant, her eyes wide with excitement. "Cora, you did it! That was amazing! I can't believe you won!"
I nodded, still trying to process everything that had just happened. "Yeah... I guess I did."
But even as I said the words, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't overânot by a long shot. There was still so much left unsaid between Levi and me, so much unresolved tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud waiting to break.
And as I stood there, surrounded by the sounds of laughter and celebration, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen when that storm finally hit.