Page 40 of Double Standard

XXV

Levi

I knock on the large wooden door. It’s still ninety degrees and an hour until sunset, and my sweat glands notice. Or maybe it’s my nerves. I shake out my arms and roll my head to expel some of the pent-up energy pulsing through my body.

“Levi! What a surprise!” Emily opens the door and speaks in a voice that is obnoxiously, suspiciously loud. She winks as she ushers me inside, then whispers, “I wanted to make sure she heard me.”

“I’m confident she did.” I laugh. Somehow, all the trouble I’ve had from being in cahoots with Ana, and then I guess with Colt, didn’t stop me from scheming with Emily to have Ana ready forsomethingat 7p.m., dressed in whatever, hungry enough but not hangry.

“Levi’s here?” Ana turns the corner to the foyer and stops. My right hand comes up for a wave, and her face goes soft as she takes in my chinos and button-down shirt. It’s the same outfit from that first day at her homein LA, though I’m not sure she remembers. The bouquet of hydrangeas is a new addition, as is the sling cradling my left arm to stabilize my broken collarbone.

“What are you...? Wait, you look so handsome.” She stutters her way through the compliment as I move closer to her.

“And you look beautiful.” I gesture with the flowers and let my hand linger on her arm as she takes them from me.

“I’m wearing jeans and a crop top.” She waves me off. “There’s not somewhere we’re supposed to be tonight for the film, is there?” Her voice rises in pitch. “Hey, Em! There’s not—”

I interject before Emily can answer. “No, no.I’m hoping you’ll go on a date with me.”

“You’re asking me on a date?”

“Yep. Edwin’s waiting for us outside, and you know we can’t disappoint him.”

“Of course not. Um, let me change.”

“Don’t.”

The corners of her mouth turn up. “Well, I’ll throw on some lipstick or something. Just a second.”

Emily appears from the pantry with a vase in hand. “All systems go,” she whispers with a pat on my shoulder.

On a quaint street across from Belmont University, Athens Family Restaurant is flanked by an international marketand Mexican cantina, both of which are bustling with college students. Edwin drops us off out front, and the feel of Ana’s hand in mine as we approach the front door settles some of the nervous energy buzzing under my skin. When the host welcomes us inside, the atmosphere is sparse, with exposed brick and hardwood floors. Still cozy. And the place is empty, just as planned.

Ana tilts her head to survey the space, and her eyes land on the table in the corner with a white tablecloth. “Where is everyone?”

“For our first real date, I wanted it to be just you and me. We’ve had plenty of time in front of other people.”

“So you rented out a restaurant?”

I feel myself blushing. “It’s the spot I suggested we visit on the day of the accident. And also a spot I could afford with my first-big-role stuntman salary.”

“This is...” Ana squeals and wraps both arms around my waist, squeezing tight. “Wait! Sorry!” She lets go and brings a hand to my sling. “Did I hurt you?”

I slide my good arm around her and drag her back to me, pulling her against my chest and hips. The contact makes me want more. “I’m perfectly fine, promise. You like it?”

“I love it.”

“Then let me just grab this.” I pull out a chair and gesture for her to sit. “No menus tonight. They’re going to bring us a bit of everything.”

“You planned all of this?”

“I’ve found myself with some unexpected free time now that I’m not filming.”

“Just trying to fill it then.”

I settle into my chair and prop my good elbow on the table. “No, just trying to find a way to show someone who showed up for me that I’m here for her too.”

“Uh-huh.” She reaches for her glass. “So it’s a reciprocal gesture.” She pokes her tongue into the side of her cheek to hide a smile that wants to peek through. It’s a put-on coy act to make it seem like she doesn’t know exactly what she’s doing. She’s challenging me; she wants me to say out loud that I want her. I’ll play along.