Focus (The Crescent Chronicles, #2) by Alyssa Rose Ivy Read Free Book Online

before the meeting?”
    “ Yes. We used to do it the
other way around, but somehow it goes smoother when people are
already fed.”
    I laughed. “I think that’s the case
with most things.”
    “ Hello again, Allie.” I
turned away from Levi and saw Bryant sitting next to me.
    “ Hi.”
    I heard laughter and looked across from
me in time to catch Jared’s eye. Owen was seated next to him with
Hailey a few seats further down. I wished Hailey were sitting
closer to me, but I assumed it was a hierarchy thing.
    “ Is something funny,
Jared?” Bryant said snidely.
    I really didn’t like Bryant.
    A waiter came over and poured me a
glass of red wine. I noticed no one was drinking it, so I waited
for the toast that had to be coming.
    Robert stood up. “Welcome to the Autumn
meeting. It’s nice to see you all here tonight. We have a lot to
discuss, but first let us enjoy our meal.”
    He sat down and immediately a bowl of
soup was placed in front of me. It smelled good, but I had no idea
what it was.
    “ It’s turtle soup,” Levi
explained.
    “ Turtle? Oh.” It smelled
good, but it was definitely a first for me.
    “ It’s good, trust
me.”
    I nodded. Levi definitely had good
taste when it came to food.
    I took a small spoonful, and Levi was
right. It was fantastic.
    “ Like it?” he
asked.
    “ Yeah.” The soup was rich
and warm.
    “ Good.”
    I knew that proper dinner party
etiquette demanded I talk to Bryant, but I resisted until he spoke
to me again. “What do you think of college so far? Is it what you
expected?”
    “ It’s been
interesting.”
    “ A good
interesting?”
    “ Mostly.” I savored the
final spoonful of the soup.
    “ I heard you are living on
campus. I’m sure Levi doesn’t like that.” He moved, and his leg
brushed against mine. I scooted over in my seat just a
little.
    Was he seriously talking about this
with Levi sitting next to me?
    “ I’m sure a few more nights
of dorm life will have you moving in with him. It makes more sense
that way.”
    He had to know that Levi could hear, so
he must have thought this would somehow make him look good in
Levi’s eyes.
    “ I’m happy on campus. I
miss Levi, but it’s important to me. Luckily, Levi is really
understanding and doesn’t mind.” I turned toward Levi with a
smile.
    “ I never said I didn’t
mind. But as long as you keep spending nights with me, I’m fine
with it until the wedding.”
    I swallowed down the response I wanted
to give, and played along. “You know I’ll keep spending nights with
you. How could I resist?”
    Levi put a hand on my leg. “I’m just
glad I get to take you home tonight.” His hand slid up my leg,
right below my thigh.
    “ I can’t wait.” I looked
across the table and was met with Jared’s smirk.
    I was saved from more embarrassing
conversation, or Levi’s hand doing anything else, when our steak
arrived. Thankfully, Levi needed both hands to cut it.
    I glanced at Hailey. She looked at me
sympathetically.
    I finished my first glass of wine but
declined a refill. With all of Levi’s talk, I couldn’t afford to
get drunk around him.
    I thought I was too stuffed to eat
anything else until dessert came out. I jumped a little in surprise
when the waiter set it on fire.
    Levi touched my hand to get my
attention. “Bananas foster.”
    I turned back to the cart with the
dessert. “Nice presentation.”
    It was delicious—bananas, caramel and
vanilla ice cream. I literally ate every bite.
    “ I see you like things
sweet,” Bryant said, barely audible above the voices around us. I
looked over and he had a hungry look in his eyes, and it wasn’t for
more dessert. I turned toward Levi, but he hadn’t heard. Was he
seriously hitting on me again?
    I could feel Bryant’s eyes still on me.
“I like dessert, yes. What girl doesn’t?”
    I didn’t wait for his response before I
scooted closer to Levi. Levi felt me shift. “Is everything
okay?”
    Either I was showing my emotions more
than I