Stars Over Alaska (Wild River #4) - Jennifer Snow Page 0,67
the footage.” Selena had zero interest in the behind-the-scenes work of her movies, but it was a perk of the job for Leslie.
“That makes sense. You always loved being behind the camera.” He sounded nostalgic and she too couldn’t help but remember those days when she’d make her own movies starring him and Dawson and her siblings. She’d never fully commit to her hobby as a career—doing what she loved to survive would dim the passion she had for it—but she did miss her time behind the lens.
He sipped his champagne and studied her. “Do you keep in touch with your family...friends back here?”
Was he asking because he’d felt her avoidance over the years and wanted to know if it was just him? She shook her head. “Not often. Mostly through Facebook...and in cases of emergency like Eddie getting shot or Grandma getting married again.” The last few months there had been more contact with them than usual. Would there be after this was all over? And would it take another extreme circumstance to get her back to Wild River? Staring at Levi, she really wished she knew the answer.
“I’m sorry things are still what they are with your mom,” he said softly.
Her too, but she’d come to accept that things would always be that way. People didn’t make amends until both parties were willing and accepting and she wasn’t sure if she or her mother needed to reach that place but they weren’t there yet.
But they’d been talking about her for far too long and she wanted to avoid where the subject might lead.
She cleared her throat. “So, how’s your life? You were promoted to full-time, clearly. That’s really great.” Smoke jumping was for the elite and highly skilled. Only the best firefighters made the cut and Levi making it as far as he had in this career spoke volumes about his abilities and dedication.
It didn’t surprise Leslie that he was excelling in his chosen career. He’d never half-assed anything in his life. She thought maybe it was his military upbringing that had made him so diligent and hardworking.
“The year-long position is definitely what I’d been working toward,” he said. “Hoping for. So yeah, it’s good. Things are slower this time of year, but we stay busy inspecting gear and going out on training missions, that kind of thing.” He grinned. “Rescuing women in towels.”
Her cheeks flushed. “We are never to discuss that again,” she said.
“Hey, I said I wouldn’t tell anyone. Doesn’t mean I can’t think about it,” he said, winking at her.
The simple, casual gesture had her nearly spilling her champagne. He’d winked at her a million times. Why was this any different? Why had this set her heart pounding again?
He was sexy as hell. How was he still single? He’d never really dated much in the years that she’d known him...
He was in love with her. Had that been the reason he hadn’t gotten involved with anyone else? Were his feelings for her that strong?
But obviously, he dated. Angelica...Tracey...just two women who sprang to mind.
“Is there anyone special?” She coughed. “I mean any women in your life?” Why had she asked? That was none of her business. Although after that day’s events, maybe it was?
He grinned. “I tend to strike out a lot in that department.”
The women he dated must have something wrong with their eyesight. “Have you tried online dating?” She was curious, but mostly she just wanted to see if he’d been actively trying to find someone.
He shuddered. “Chad set up a profile on Tinder and Match.com and I’ve perused them, I won’t lie, but I don’t think you can catch a spark that way. Call me old-fashioned, but I like real connections.” He stared into her eyes and her mouth went dry. “I guess I’m just not interested in dating unless it’s going somewhere.”
“But how do you know if it’s going somewhere unless you go on a date?” Why was this so important to her? Why was she nudging him in that direction? To make sure he knew that what had happened between them didn’t mean...what? What did it mean? And unfortunately, she knew pushing him away was just her own way of self-preservation.
“Fair enough,” he said, looking slightly disappointed as he asked, “So, you’re dating a lot then?”
She shook her head quickly. Too quickly.
“What about that co-worker guy Selena mentioned?” Definite jealousy in his tone and oddly enough it made her feel good. “She said you two were boning.”