Charitable Hearts by EJ McCay Read Free Book Online Page B

problem, dude? You are acting like a complete jerk. To me. To Maggie. What happened? You were fine a moment ago.”
    Levi leaned his head back and looked up to avoid looking at Gary.
    “Come on, man. What is going on with you? You have a girlfriend remember?”
    “She’s a girl and putting friend on the end is a stretch, remember?”
    “Hey, I’ve never liked Sonja, but that didn’t seem to matter. I didn’t like Rachel either, and that didn’t matter. When it comes to your love life you don’t seem to consider my opinion on it at all. Even when they’re complete witches to me.”
    Levi shifted against the wall. “I know.”
    Gary sat next to him. “So, talk to me. You haven’t really talked to me in years. You are my best friend. It’s almost like you left home and I’m taking care of your cat. And we all know cats are…”
    “Do I need to get my phone and start a tally?”
    “Shut up, dude. This is serious.”
    Levi took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair making it stick up in spots. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
    “Maybe it would help if you just started talking. Stop trying to carry all of this on your own. I’m here. I’m a good listener.”
    Levi clasped his hand on Gary’s shoulder, his eyes watering. “I know.” His voice broke and he cleared his throat.
    “And Maggie. I like her, but not like that. She’s totally gorgeous and completely amazing, but it’s just not there. I wish it was because wow. If you like her, stop being a jack wagon. Levi, you are the coolest guy I know and the last few years you’ve become someone I barely recognize.”
    Levi bit his lip and looked away. “Give me a little more time, okay?”
    “I’ve given you three years.”
    “Just a little more. I promise.”
    “Okay, a little more time, but figure it out and stop taking it out on me and Maggie.”
    “I can do that.”
    Gary got up and held out a hand to Levi. Levi grabbed his hand and Gary pulled him off the floor. “Let’s go see if Maggie actually waited for us.” Gary laughed.
    Levi followed Gary out and locked the door behind him. Maggie sat on the sidewalk in front of the building with her knees drawn up to her chest.
    “Is everything okay?” she asked.
    Levi smiled, grabbed Gary around the neck, and ruffled his hair. “Yeah, things are okay.”
    Gary pushed him off. “Yeah, and what do we say, Levi?”
    “I’m sorry for being a jerk.”
    “You should get that on a recording. It’ll save you time.” Maggie smiled.
    Gary laughed. “Good one!” He walked to her and held his hand up to give her a high five. “You wanna come have a bite to eat with us?”
    She slapped his hand and laughed. “I can’t. I need to get home.”
    “Why?” Levi asked.
    Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Because.”
    “Okay, fine.”
    A cab pulled up in front of the building. Maggie stood, walked to the car, and opened the door.
    “I’m gonna figure you out, Maggie Lawrence. However long it takes, I’m gonna figure you out.”
    She looked at him. “Good luck with that.” Maggie smiled and got into the cab.
    Levi put his hands on his hips as he watched the cab drive away. He smiled. Challenge accepted.

Thirteen
    It was a full two weeks without Levi Martin gumming up Maggie’s tightly controlled world. Of course, he’d called, but that was okay. In fact, she kinda looked forward to his calls. He was fun and easy to talk to when he wasn’t right next to her.
    She smiled thinking of the last conversation. He is just…flat out cute. Beyond heart-skipping gorgeous, he was fun. The way his mind worked, the things he found interesting, Maggie couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to spend an evening forgetting the past and just…she squashed the thought in its tracks. There was no way she was going to even entertain the thought.
    It was late in the day when Maggie stretched, threw her covers off, and climbed down the stairs. She took her time showering and getting dressed.