Flight

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  I deleted the last message and didn’t even consider calling Toby back. I had enough to process and talking to Toby wasn’t going to help. I also had a message from Jess so I called her back, but I got her voicemail.

  I didn’t have to work which meant the whole day was open. I took an obscenely long shower, trying to comb through my memories. As odd as they were, I knew it had to be real. Somehow, it just fit. I knew that I was supposed to be freaked out by it. I had just discovered that the guy I was into was actually a paranormal creature. I guess I don’t have normal reactions because once the shock of it all wore off, it was really cool. I mean, there was something undeniably sexy and exciting about Levi’s wings and the power I knew came with them. It took bad boy to a whole new level. Hanging out with him was definitely not in “my plans” as Jess had described my mapped out life.

  Pulling on a jean skirt and pink tank, I quickly finished getting ready. With no real plans, I stared at my phone willing it to ring. I had never been the girl waiting for a guy to call, but part of me needed to know that Levi was still interested and that the previous night had been more than a tease.

  I glanced at my phone one last time around 11:00 a.m. as I walked into the hall, determined to stop waiting around.

  “Hoping for a call from someone?”

  I smiled when I noticed Levi leaning against the wall.

  “How long have you been out here?”

  “Awhile.” He straightened up and took a step towards me.

  “Oh. You could have knocked…” I trailed off.

  “I figured there was no need to push you anymore than I did last night. But I had to see you—to see if you were still reacting well,” Levi said carefully, like he was treading on thin ice.

  “Why wouldn’t I be reacting well?” I asked with a smile.

  “It’s not every day that you see something like that. Maybe in my life, but not yours.”

  “I guess it would be normal in yours.”

  He smiled. “Any chance I can take you to a late breakfast?”

  “That depends. How are we getting there?” I asked, not sure what answer I wanted to hear.

  Levi laughed. “We’re walking, but would you want to fly with me again?”

  I tried to dial down my real level of excitement at the thought of it. “I could be persuaded.”

  He reached over and ran a finger down my cheek. “I’m glad. There’s more I want to show you.”

  “So are we going to go now or—”

  “Uh, it’s broad daylight Al, don’t you think someone would notice?”

  “Oh, you only fly at night? And now you’re calling me Al?”

  “We usually only fly at night, but there are exceptions I’m not getting into right now. And I am still trying to settle on what name I like best.”

  “Doesn’t my opinion count?”

  Levi moved toward me, practically pinning me against the wall. “Your opinion always counts, but I already told you I’m not calling you what everyone else does. I’m going to have my own name for you.”

  “What, like you name a pet? That sounds kind of possessive.”

  “It is kind of possessive, Al.” He winked and took my hand leading me down the hall. “Have you been to Café du Monde yet?”

  I shook my head.

  “Good, let’s go.” Still holding my hand, Levi led us to the elevator. We stopped several times to let other people on, but Levi never once took his eyes off me.

  Billy was waiting by the front entrance as we walked out. “Hey Allie, I haven’t seen you or Jess today, where have you been hiding?”

  “Jess went back to New York,” I said cautiously, hoping to avoid a long discussion. If Jess ever felt like talking to Billy again she had his number.

  “Oh. She really left? Did you ever find out what was going on with her?” Billy didn’t bother to hide the disappointment in his voice.

  “Personal reasons.” I shrugged. “I’ll see you around.”

  Levi nodded stiffly to Billy as we walked outside into the bright light of the sun.

  Jackson Square looked different in the daylight. Still filled with artists and musicians, it lacked the intensity it held at night. The place was full of tourists snapping pictures of the large St. Louis Cathedral. I looked around, taking it all in.

  “There’s nothing quite like New Orleans, huh?” Levi acknowledged my perusal.

  “Not really. I mean it has a similar feel to Paris, but it definitely has a flavor all of its own.” I smiled realizing that a lot of that flavor had to do with the guy standing next to me. It was easy to forget he was anything other than a frat boy type, but Levi had let me in on his secret and now I knew there was a lot more than muscles hiding underneath his tight white t-shirt.

  I shook myself from my blatant ogling when Levi laughed. “You still interested in breakfast?” The question reminded me of the last time he offered it up and I knew there was at least the hint of an innuendo there.

  “Absolutely.” I held his gaze and I could tell it surprised him. I still don’t think Levi was used to a girl he couldn’t fluster.

  Slipping under the green and white awning, Levi pulled out a chair for me at a round table. He waited until I was seated before sitting across from me. The table was small, especially for someone as tall as Levi and his legs brushed against mine anytime he moved.

  Levi asked for two orders of beignets and a chicory coffee for each of us. The server brought the coffee immediately, and we sipped in comfortable silence until breakfast arrived. The beignets were sweet and hot, and I had to laugh at myself as I got the white powdered sugar all over myself.

  “Wow, these are good!”

  “What isn’t there to like about fried dough covered in sugar?” Levi said playfully but I could tell he was glad to see me having fun.

  “So, Princeton, huh?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.

  “Yup. Home of the Tigers.”

  He laughed, nearly choking on a sip of his coffee. “Yeah, because that’s what comes to mind first when someone says Princeton.”

  “What comes to mind for you?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. How about uptight preps who wouldn’t know how to have a good time if it bit them on the ass?”

  “Ouch. You don’t think I know how to have fun?”

  “On the contrary hon, I know you can have fun. It’s the others I’m worried about. I’m afraid that next time I see you you’ll be a walking Ralph Lauren ad.”

  I was suddenly glad that I’d decided against the pink polo dress I had almost thrown on. “What makes you think you’ll ever see me after this summer?”

  “You’ve had your taste Al. Even if you leave in August, you’ll be back for more.”

  “And what are you referring to exactly?”

  “The city.” He paused to look at me. “Of course.”

  “Of course. If you’re done, it’s my turn.”

  “Your turn for what?” he asked.

  “To ask a question.”

  “I wasn’t aware we were taking turns.”

  I didn’t bother to acknowledge his comment. “So, you’re graduating this year, right?” He nodded. “What’s next for you?”

  “Uh, taking over the family business.” He looked away as he answered and I knew I had struck a nerve.

  “Which is?”

  “You asked your question.”

  “Whoa, are there more secrets?” You would think that after revealing his wings there wouldn’t be much more to hide.

  “It’s kind of hard to explain. Let’s just say it’s a leadership position.”

  “You’re not going to elaborate?”

  “My turn.” He evaded me.

  “Fine.”

  “So, what’s the story with Toby?”

  “What do you mean? I already told you he’s my ex.”

  “Yeah, but why is he your ex?”

  “Why do you even care?”

  “Eh, just curiosity.”

  “And why would I
indulge that curiosity when you evaded my question?”

  “My good looks?” He took a slow sip of his coffee.

  “Very funny. Really there isn’t much to tell. We dated about a year, and we worked but I got tired of the lack of sparks. I brought up my concerns and he brushed them off, so I broke up with him.” I tried to play it off nonchalantly, but it hadn’t been a painless breakup. Toby took it hard, and as much as I knew we weren’t meant to be, we had a lot of history that was hard to let go of.

  “Lack of sparks? You’re looking for passion then?”

  I felt heat rising to my cheeks and hoped I could stop it. I was not the girl who blushed. “Okay, my turn again. What’s with Jared and Owen?”

  “What do you mean?” Levi asked.

  “You act like girls or something. You’re never apart.”

  “They’re not here now.”

  “I get this vibe that they answer to you or something. Does this have to do with the ‘family business’?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Seriously? You’re evading my question again?”

  “And here I thought girls liked a man of mystery.” Clearly, he was unwilling to answer the question.

  I groaned. “On that note, are you ready to get going?”

  “Sure.” He threw some cash down on the table and we got up to leave.

  I stopped to dust some powdered sugar off my skirt. “So, where to now?”

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “Hmm, I don’t know.”

  “What would you be doing if you were home?”

  “I’d probably be at the beach,” I confessed, picturing how good the cool water would feel. “It’s pretty much my favorite place to be.”

  “I’ll have to keep that in mind. The beach is a little hard to give you right now, but how about we check out the French Market?”

  “Shopping?”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “Not at all, I am just surprised by the suggestion,” I admitted.

  “It’s not like I’m taking you to the mall.”

  “True, but you don’t seem like the shopping type.”

  “If you’re done complaining…” he trailed off with a hint of a smile.

  “Lead the way.” I gestured him forward with my hand.

  The French Market provided some much-needed shade. After several weeks, I was still no more used to the heat and humidity of the city. Not that summer in New York was particularly pleasant, but New Orleans was on a whole different level.

  We weren’t the only ones visiting the market, and I guessed it was the usual Saturday crowd.

  “I think I remember now why I don’t come here much,” Levi mumbled.

  “Not one for crowds?” I asked.

  “Not really. You?”

  “I actually kind of like them. I think it’s why I like New York City so much. I love the feeling of getting lost in a big crowd.”

  “I learn something new about you every day,” he joked, guiding us down the center aisle.

  “I think you won that contest last night.” I smiled, thinking about just how much I had learned. “Well, we can leave if you want.”

  “Not until we do one thing.”

  “Okay…”

  “You like sweets, right?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  “Loretta’s has some great pralines you’ve got to try.”

  Levi stepped into a small store within the market. I stood back watching the crowd move by as I waited for him to finish his purchase.

  “Ready?” Levi took my hand leading me out of the market back the way we came. He never let go of my hand, and I didn’t fight it. Something had changed the night before. I had seen a hint of the real Levi and I wanted more. We passed back through Jackson Square and I never bothered to ask where we were going. I ate my praline, enjoying my breakfast of treats.

  Levi came to a stop in front of a large building that appeared to be an old brewery. “The view here isn’t quite as good as last night, but it’s pretty nice.”

  I noticed the sign hanging in front of the door. “Pat O’s?”

  “It’s Pat O’s on the River, good drinks and a nice view.”

  “Drinks in the middle of the afternoon?”

  “You’re in N’awlins Al, get used to it.”

  He led me inside and up in the elevator. We walked through the indoor bar and out onto the patio.

  “Hi Levi,” a busty waitress called as we headed outside. She watched him eagerly waiting for his response.

  Levi barely nodded in acknowledgement. I smiled without meaning to.

  We took seats at a high top table overlooking the river.

  “You weren’t kidding, this is a great view.” I settled back into my chair, thankful for the awning overhead.

  “I thought you would like it. You seem to really like good views.”

  “The usual?” a waiter asked as he approached the table.

  “Yes and a hurricane for her.”

  “All right, be right out with those.”

  “Does everyone who works here know you?” I asked.

  “Not everyone.” He smiled.

  “Well anyway, what did you order me?”

  “You’ll like it. It’s pretty much the signature drink of the city and the specialty drink here, so you need to have it at least once.”

  “Is it as good as the other drink you keep buying me?”

  “Maybe not as good, but you’ll still enjoy it.”

  “What did you get?”

  “Whiskey.”

  “How do you know I wouldn’t prefer that?”

  “I don’t take you as the type to take your liquor straight.” He watched me, daring me to contradict him.

  I contemplated arguing, but that would have ended in me drinking whisky, and that wasn’t something that sounded remotely appealing. “You’re right. I was just asking.”

  The waiter brought our drinks over. I took a sip and Levi was right; I did like it. It was sweet but still had something to it. “Ah, it’s such a gorgeous afternoon.”

  Levi laughed lightly. “I’m glad to see you enjoying yourself.”

  “Is there any chance you’ll take me—” The blare of a barge drowned me out. “Any chance you’ll—” It happened again and I decided to wait.

  “What were you asking?” He seemed genuinely interested.

  “Any chance of a repeat performance from last night?” I finally got out.

  “You liked that, huh?”

  “Yeah, I can’t say I’ve ever had a ride like that before.”

  A middle-aged woman at the table next to us coughed, evidently misinterpreting our conversation. Levi must have realized it too. “Sure baby, I’ll take you for a ride anytime.”

  I smacked his leg under the table.

  “Ouch.”

  “You so deserved that.”

  “You’re the one that wants the ride.” He tried unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh.

  I ignored his last statement. “Is that a yes? You’ll take me again?”

  “Of course, I have no intentions of letting you down.”

  We finished our drinks, enjoying the view and talking about nothing in particular. If Levi’s plan had been to continue distracting me from thinking about Jess, he was very successful.

  Chapter Nine

  After some more sightseeing and a late dinner, we headed uptown to Levi’s place. His apartment was as immaculate as the last time. Owen and Jared sat on the couch playing some kind of war video game. They stopped screaming at each other and the game long enough to acknowledge me with a few grunts.

  “Can I get you anything?” Levi asked as I glanced around. More awake this time, I noticed a couple of black and white photographs of street scenes on the wall. I made a mental note to find out who the photographer of the group was.

  “I’m fine, but thanks.”

  “Want a tour?”

  “A tour? Is there really that much more to see?”

  “O
f course there is. You never even saw my room last time.” He looked at me mischievously as he took off through the kitchen into a hallway.

  “You probably remember that’s Jared’s room,” Levi pointed. “Owen’s is over there and I’m here on the end.” Levi walked into the room he indicated as his own.

  His room was much larger than I expected, with a king size bed pushed against the back wall. “Wow, you don’t see too many beds that big in college apartments.”

  “How many college apartments have you been in? Didn’t you just graduate high school?”

  “I have older friends…”

  “Older friends who like to show you their bedrooms with inadequately sized beds? Good to know.”

  I decided to ignore him and check out the rest of the room. Unlike the main living space, his room was a mess. Dirty laundry mixed with books on the hardwood floor. Piles of clothes cluttered the top of his dresser, his desk and even the desk chair.

  “So is it Owen who keeps the rest of this place clean? I mean, obviously it’s not you.”

  “You automatically assume it’s Owen?”

  “Yeah… wait, don’t tell me it’s Jared.”

  “Okay, I won’t.”

  “Wow, Jared the neat freak,” I said with surprise.

  “You’re not his biggest fan, are you?”

  “No, not at all,” I admitted.

  “It has something to do with your friend, doesn’t it?”

  My defenses went up immediately. “I don’t want to talk about Jess, okay?”

  “Sure, but Jared’s not all bad.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do. He’s had my back since we were kids, and I think he kind of grows on you.” He paused. “Do you still want to fly?”

  “Yes!” I quickly forgot I was annoyed at him.

  “All right, let me talk to the guys, be right back.”

  Levi left me standing alone in his room so I continued my perusal. I refrained from invading his privacy, half out of politeness and half out of fear he’d catch me. What kind of stuff did a not quite human guy have in his room? I sat down on the edge of his unmade bed, kicking away a gray Tulane sweatshirt with my flip-flop.