by Laura Brown
Levi: No, I think I really like her. She’s picked up a lot of ASL already. However, her sister is one of my students.
Meyer: LOL! Only you could fall into that dumb luck.
Meyer: The sister onto you?
He stole a glance at Isabel and caught her stealing a glance at him.
Levi: Maybe.
Probably.
Chapter Thirteen
By the time the main course arrived, Gaby had managed to relax. An inch. Perhaps two. With Izzy in an actual ASL class there was no way she could pretend she knew more than she did, so her phone sat between Levi’s and her plates, aiding them in chatting.
“I thought I was going to have to set you up with Brian,” her mother began, “but you’ve done well for yourself.”
Gaby couldn’t resist smiling at Levi. If only her actual dates managed to be such a good pick. She then studied the table, realizing that Brian was missing. “Where is he, anyway?”
Her mother cut up a piece of turkey. “Turns out he has a new flame as well and is spending Passover with her family. Love must be in the air.” Her mother brought the turkey to her mouth, eyes on Izzy.
Izzy put her silverware down. “Seriously? I’m twenty-one. Give me a break. Besides, older sister first.”
Gaby rolled her eyes. “Don’t wait on me.”
Izzy leaned forward and eyed Levi, who had started typing to Charlie. “And bringing a date for Passover isn’t significant?”
Gaby’s mouth went dry, and she aimed to grab her water, but oops, look at that, grabbed the wine instead.
“Besides, Fiddler on the Roof rules. Once you’re matched, I’ll ask the matchmaker for mine.” The way Izzy carefully weighed her words had a prickle of interest forming in the back of Gaby’s neck, but she couldn’t be sure whether the wine should be blamed rather than sisterly intuition.
“Oh goodness,” Aunt Faith broke in. “Don’t ask a matchmaker for anything—you make your own destiny. No matchmaker would match Gaby and Levi together, too high on investment returns.”
Gaby studied her plate, willing her cheeks to feel warm but not look warm. She really hadn’t thought this whole date for Passover thing through. This wasn’t like grabbing a date for a wedding. This was akin to meet the family before getting serious.
Levi nudged her shoulder and pointed to her phone between them, with a new message visible.
You okay? What happened?
Goodness, what was she going to do about him? Tom had sat there, eating merrily while Gaby’s life choices were dissected by her family. Meanwhile, Levi offered support without even knowing why.
Just hadn’t realized how serious my family would think a fake date would be.
He broke off a piece of matzah and popped it into his mouth like candy as he responded.
Do I need to dial up the charm? Want me to feed you a piece?
Gaby held in a laugh, imagining all too well his fingers breaking off another piece and bringing it to her lips. Tension oozed free, transforming to warmth sliding through her that wasn’t from wine or embarrassment, only the thought of Levi’s hands near her lips.
She shook the thought away, bad thoughts, and focused back on the conversation at hand. If he had her thoughts turning this dirty, they had to be putting on some sort of a good show. She collected the phone.
I think you’re doing just fine. Worried about what happens next.
That put a damper on her wayward emotions, for better or worse. She had a fake date to deal with the aftermath of Tom, what would she do in the aftermath of Levi?
He held up a small piece of matzah and waved it in front of her. She’d worry about that later, much later. For now, she wanted to enjoy his playful side. Though no way in hell would she be fed matzah. She pushed his hand to his plate. He shook his head and held it out to her, a slight bow making it into a grand gesture. The laugh bubbled inside, but she held it in and took the flat bread from him.
I accept free food as payment. Keep me on retainer, what do you say?
Yes. Scary how quickly those words came to mind. She squashed her eagerness down even as she tried to think when she could need him again. Rosh Hashanah was too far away; she’d need a different excuse. She also needed to keep her cool.
I’ll think about it.
Levi nodded and broke off another piece of matzah, holding it out to her. She shook her head, and he shrugged before popping it into his mouth, blue eyes crinkling. She couldn’t remember a Passover moment she enjoyed more than this one, right here. Not even the year she found the Afikomen and her uncle had an extra five dollars for the winner.
…
After Gaby got absorbed in another conversation, Levi returned to his meal until Charlie picked up his phone again.
So, you teach Izzy. Tell me the truth—she’s a troublemaker, right?
Levi slowed his chewing, not liking the directional swing of this conversation. If this guy thought Levi would gossip about a student, especially in front of said student, then he hadn’t the first clue about confidentiality and respect. At least it matched the rest stop virginity story Gaby had shared.
Good thing he was good at defusing situations.
You think she’s a troublemaker?
Charlie nodded as he typed, and Levi wondered if he even needed the response.
Oh yeah, major troublemaker. Tattletale, too. And not just because she’s the youngest. You could see the devilish glint in her eyes from birth. Gaby, on the other hand, your secret is safe with her. She won’t tell a soul.
Levi absorbed this information, reading slowly. Devil glint—yeah, he’d seen that in Isabel’s eyes. She seemed like a fun kid. But Gaby… It seemed she kept a lot close to the vest, and not all of it hers to keep. No wonder she felt wound tighter than a top and in need of a release.
That’s what he did best—fix things for people. Gaby needed to let go, find that release, and he wanted to be that person for her. Only the release he had in mind was of a very different and not family-dinner-friendly type. He wanted to put his hands and lips on her until her wound-tighter-than-a-top mode crumbled into pure bliss, and he really needed to stop this train of thought while chatting with Cousin Rest Stop. He typed his response, hoping it would get his mind back on track.
What good are secrets if they can’t be shared?
He watched as Charlie started to respond. Levi caught the moment when the man stilled, and he knew something had shifted, something bad. And if Charlie was already a little gossip…
Charlie’s eyes met his, and Levi took his phone, noticing the new text message notification. He switched folders and couldn’t stop the rumbling in his throat when he accessed the message.
Monica: Oh, I’ll try you. I can’t pull this off if it already looks like there’s trouble in paradise. According to everyone here, we’re supposed to be together. How the hell can I prove that alone?
Fucking Monica.
Levi: I’m done lying. Trust me. You don’t want me there. I won’t help you prove anything but our breakup. Besides, I’m at Seder with my new girlfriend. I can’t be there.
Monica: You promised me this weekend.
Levi: I promised you nothing, not since you handed back my ring, only to snatch it again for a prop.
He wanted to show that to Charlie but feared it would call in to question how long he’d known Gaby. Levi switched to the notepad app.
Sorry about that. Friend needs a favor.
And that didn’t come close to explaining the truth. He had no time to come up with a better option. He handed his phone to Charlie, finding the man talking to Isabel across the table.
Shit.
Gaby’s seat was empty, and he looked over at Isabel, fearing everything about to crumble thanks to one badly timed text. His student attempted to sign, but either lack of words or what to say stumped her. He made Char
lie read the text, then passed it across the table to Isabel, praying she hadn’t learned Monica’s name. This could blow up in his face, but he could only deal with the cards already on the table.
Charlie shook his head, Isabel said something, and Levi needed an interpreter, stat. He grabbed his phone again, pressing the touchscreen harder than necessary.
This looks worse than it is. My friend is heavy-handed and overly dramatic.
Finally, something that didn’t count as a lie in any direction. He handed the phone over, only now Isabel stood between him and Charlie. At least that had the potential of keeping this contained.
Isabel read and then narrowed her eyes. “You sure?”
He nodded. Crap, what did Isabel know? He needed to pull her down the hall and have a conversation, but that would look worse than dragging Gaby off to the bathroom.
Isabel studied him as though he were a textbook holding all the answers to every upcoming test. Then she turned to her cousin. “See… Fine.”
Charlie continued shaking his head, but he surprised Levi by typing on the phone and not continuing to shut him out.
Overdramatic is the worst. I don’t want to see my cousin hurt. You think you can handle this?
He breathed a little easier.
You have my word.
They shook on it, and Charlie turned to another family member, with any luck not sharing what had just transpired. He looked up to Isabel, still standing there, watching him.
“What true?” she asked, not waiting for his answer before making her way into the kitchen.
He wasn’t sure what exactly she referred to, but he needed to keep an eye on her and pray he hadn’t messed things up for Gaby and his class.
…
In the kitchen, Gaby helped sort the leftovers, which were practically enough for a second Seder. “You sure you don’t want to start doing the second night of Passover? You’ve got enough food.”
“Oh, hush,” her mother said, swatting her with a dishtowel. She closed the lid on yet another Tupperware container and handed it to Gaby to put in the refrigerator. “I like him.”
Gaby froze by the door and slowly turned to her mother, keeping the cool air on her in an effort to keep calm. “You do?”
“Yeah. I know, I liked Tom, and I liked you two together, but there’s something about Levi, about the way he makes you smile. Tom never did that.”
Gaby turned and made a point out of closing the refrigerator door and ensured the ends suctioned together, contemplated opening it up and confirming the light had turned off, too. “Thanks.”
When she faced her mother, the woman’s cold hands found her cheeks. “You know from your father that sometimes life is short. If we love, we’ve got to love with all we have because we never know what tomorrow will bring.” She gave one cheek a pat then left Gaby alone with that bombshell of emotional turmoil.
All at once, she saw it, her father at the head of the table, directing the group as though he were a conductor, even though everyone knew her mother was really in charge. Her parents in the kitchen, laughing and stealing a kiss. Her father coaching her on the four questions when she was just old enough to read them at the Seder.
She missed him, but also knew her mother was right. When you love hard, that love lived on. First, though, she needed to find that love.
She brushed at an errant tear and refilled her glass of wine. Manischewitz wine wasn’t the best, but it was kosher for Passover, and it was alcohol. She let the bitter taste sop up all her tears and knock down her stress level. Her father would want her to live life to the fullest. And had she? Not really, not fully. Always cautious, always controlled. Missing out in exchange for comfort. No more. She needed to be a little more like Izzy and take what she wanted.
She finished the glass as Levi entered the kitchen.
He eyed her glass and pointed to the bottom of it, where only a few drops remained. He held up a finger, scrunched face suggesting a question. She collected his fist in her hand. Unlike hers or her mother’s, his was warm, and she wanted to curl up with it, press her cheek against it. She moved his fingers until two stood up.
A twinkle appeared in his eyes. He signed some more, and she realized how useless it was when she spoke to him. He grabbed his phone.
I guess I better catch up.
She nodded and refilled her glass, handing it to him. He brought it to his lips, his eyes never leaving her face, and everything in her wanted to puddle on the floor. Then he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and she wanted to lean forward and press her mouth to his neck.
She stepped forward, ready to do just that, when something hit her back and pushed. She lost her footing, stumbling, hands going to Levi’s chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist, his wine sloshing, and caught her before she fell to the floor in an embarrassing heap.
Behind her, the dog sat at her feet, panting, as if a three-way sounded like a good idea to him.
Levi laughed, the sound rumbling through her in pleasant ways.
He put the wine down and rubbed the dog, who slobbered on his face.
“Hey, dog, that’s my job,” Gaby said, hands on hips, but neither dog nor human heard her. Well, the dog probably did, but equally wouldn’t care.
She collected her glass and waved for Levi’s attention before gesturing toward the dining room. He nodded, still giving the dog scratches.
In the dining room, voices crisscrossed the table, silverware clanked, and a few kids bounded back and forth between the tables. Her sister intercepted Gaby before she found her seat, arms crossed, face full of uncharacteristic concern. Gaby sipped—okay, swallowed—some wine.
“You know about this Monica person, right?” Izzy said.
“Monica?” She tried to recall if she heard that name before and came up blank.
Izzy worried her bottom lip. “She sent Levi a text, and he claimed it was an overdramatic friend or something, but I’m not so sure.”
Overdramatic friend. That sounded familiar. Was this the woman from the gym? Gaby took another sip and figured, screw it. She’d run with this. “Oh, yeah, Monica, she really can be dramatic.” Crap, did that sound false to Izzy or just to her? Gaby felt as though she’d stumbled back into that weird Levi abyss, where things didn’t quite add up, her previous unanswered questions about him resurfacing.
Izzy didn’t relax. “Are you sure he’s not stringing you along? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great teacher, but I’ve seen enough of my classmates be flirty with him to wonder.”
Gaby turned back to the kitchen, though she couldn’t see in. “Have you seen him? Of course people are flirty with him.”
“I don’t care who’s flirty. I care who he flirts with.”
Gaby needed more wine, but downing it in front of her sister wouldn’t be the best action. She needed to squash her concerns, make sure Izzy didn’t latch on to them. “I’ve never seen him flirt with anyone else.” Truth, thankfully.
Izzy loosened her arms. “Well, he’s definitely been flirting with you. But I don’t know, something…doesn’t feel right, and I don’t want my teacher taking advantage of my sister.” The lingering worries hit Gaby in her spine, as though Izzy knew something. Great, her little sister was about to rat her out.
She placed a hand on Izzy’s shoulder. “Nothing is happening that I’m not game for. And if I get taken advantage of by a guy that hot, I should count my lucky stars.”
A small smile crossed Izzy’s face, and Gaby prayed she’d avoided a crisis. “Can I live vicariously through you?”
“Isn’t that a little freaky?”
“I’ve only had one date in six months, and that didn’t exactly end on the best of terms.”
The bags under Izzy’s eyes suddenly became more pronounced, and Gaby didn’t think being a tired college student was the only reason. “Everything okay?”
Izzy waved a hand. “Fine. Focusing on my studies. I don’t need a man.”
Gaby weighed her words carefully. “No, you don’t.”
“Therefore, I want to live vicariously through you. Less investment risk.”
Gaby placed an arm around her sister’s shoulders and led her to the table. There would be more to the story, but now wasn’t the time. Theme of the day: everyone had their secrets. If she checked, Bengi probably had some of his own—maybe he had a thing with the poodle down the street and little poodle-greyhounds—Groodles? Poohounds?—would be frolicking around the neighborhood soon. Perhaps in a few weeks, they could grab coffee and sort through Izzy’s mess. Until then, she could be the unconditionally supportive older sister. “Then, by all means, live vicariously through me.”
Chapter Fourteen
After the meal, the readings continued, along with the third cup of wine. Levi’s gaze narrowed in on the two cups on the table. He knew one would be Elijah’s cup, the prophet said to one day join the Passover celebration. The second cup was new to him.
Levi nudged Gaby’s shoulder and pointed to the cups. “Why two?”
She stared at him, then realization dawned. “N-I-R-I-A-N.”
Movement caught his attention, and across the table, Isabel waved. “M-I-R-I-A-M cup.”
Gaby deflated, and Levi squeezed her shoulder. “N, M. Easy mistake after a few glasses of wine.” Not that she’d catch that, but maybe Isabel would. He pulled out his phone, knowing he wouldn’t get any further information from the table, and looked up Miriam’s cup.
His search yielded over a hundred thousand results, including pictures of fancy wine goblets with Hebrew letters and drawings. For a tradition he hadn’t known about, it had roots and a strong following. Two link clicks later, he learned Miriam was another prophet of the Passover story, known for keeping her people alive through a magical well, providing water to his fleeing ancestors. In her honor, water filled her cup, not wine. Miriam had a rapport of being a feminist thing, which Levi could get behind. He liked this focus on the strength of females, when so often the males got all the glory.