arms—the bulging biceps, the veins tracing down his lean forearms, his long fingers and neat nails.
She took a seat and Levi looked up. She caught his reaction. He kept his face neutral but a flash of…something…in his eyes told her she affected him. Somehow.
“Morning, Sloane,” he said. “Before we start, we—I owe you an apology.”
Her eyes widened. What was he talking about?
“For yesterday,” he continued. “I was a little…stressed yesterday and when you gave us that feedback, I overreacted. I’m sorry. That was unprofessional.”
She blinked.
“I’m also sorry for the, uh, fight that happened.” He glanced at Scott. “That was also unprofessional. Again, I overreacted. I hope we didn’t get you in trouble with The Hux. I mean, Mr. Huxworth.”
Her lips twitched at his nickname for Joe. “You didn’t.”
“Good.”
“I’m sorry too,” Scott offered.
“Okay.” Levi lifted his chin. “Let’s go. Here’s what we did.”
They showed her the changes they’d made. And it was perfect. It really hadn’t taken much. Happiness and pride bubbled up inside her. The commercial quickly moved from a surfing competition to shark diving to outrigger canoe racing, then a race through a pineapple maze and fire-knife dancing, moving to snow kiting and a snowmobile race across a glacier that culminated in the triumphant ending.
“I love it,” she said. “I loved it yesterday, honestly. But now, I can’t wait to show it to the client.”
Levi grinned. “Great.”
Their eyes met and something passed between them. Was it wishful thinking that he still cared? She dropped her gaze to the table as the others chattered and rose from their chairs. She followed the group out and returned to her office.
He’d apologized. That was sweet. And big. If he could do it, so could she.
She felt lame returning to his place that night. Maybe she was there for nothing again. Maybe he was out on another date. The doorman probably thought she was a big loser, stalking him after a breakup or something.
Hmm, she sort of was. She could have called and asked if she could come see him. But what if he said no?
She had to be prepared for rejection. But she wanted to apologize. And give him back his mugs.
The doorman called up and Levi was there. She shifted from one foot to the other as she waited for his permission to come up. The doorman nodded and let her in, and she took the elevator to the twenty-first floor.
Levi was at his door, dressed in jeans and a nice shirt, shoes on. “Hi,” he said, an intense look on his face. Possibly surprise. Chuck was at his side, wriggling and jumping and whining.
“Are you just going out?” She took in his apparel and the leash in his hands. Crap.
“Yeah, goddammit.”
She flinched back.
“I was just leaving to come to your place.”
“Oh.”
“Chuck and I were coming to see you. And bring you a few things.”
“Wh-what things?” Her forehead tightened.
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Some things.” His gaze dropped to the box in her hands.
She held it out. “Here. Your mugs. You left them at my place Saturday.”
“I know,” he murmured, taking the box from her. “I was bummed about that.” He lifted his gaze back to her face. “Is that why you’re here?”
She inhaled a long breath. “Partly. I also came to…apologize.”
He looked at her intently. Then he stepped back. “Come in.”
She walked in and he closed the door. Chuck still danced around, crying.
“I’m sorry, little buddy. No car ride right now.” Levi set the leash in the drawer of the small table in his foyer. “When the leash comes out, he goes nuts. Jesus, maybe if I give him a biscuit he’ll calm down.” He strode over to the jar on the counter she remembered from her first night there.
But Chuck was now distracted, as Sloane crouched down and reached for him. He set his front paws on her knees and tried to lick her face. “I missed you too,” she crooned to him, rubbing his silky head. “You’re so handsome.”
“Thank you.”
She tried to stop her smile as she looked up at Levi. “I was talking to Chuck.”
“Oh.” His lips twitched. “Damn.”
She straightened and faced him. “Well, you’re handsome too.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
Her head tilted. “For not telling you about my mom.” She tried to gather her thoughts, which was difficult because her brain was suddenly as empty as balloon. “I never meant to hurt you, Levi. I was…pretty upset. Well, that’s putting it mildly.”
He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the counter. “I know