Freefall (Santa Cruz Skydivers Book 1) by Joanne Efendi Read Free Book Online Page B

immediately looked at the LCD screen on the camera.
    “Scotty, don’t forget to crop that photo and cut out the bottom half, please,” I instructed him as soon as my voice returned. “If I’m going to be in the paper, I want to look my best.”
    “Don’t let me hear you put yourself down again,” Levi interjected quickly, not allowing me to explain about the need to not have photographic evidence of the dress I was wearing.
    “I tell her all the time she underestimates herself,” Lili said sweetly, finally rejoining the conversation after our little argument.
    “Geez, guys, take it easy.” I held my hands up to them to stop. “It was just a joke.”
    “I’d love to stay and argue and drink with you some more, but I need to go,” Levi told me. “I’ve got an early start in the morning. Walk me to the door?”
    “Sure thing.” I was almost jumping up and down inside with excitement. I tried to look cool and composed, unsure if I succeeded, as my insides were a big pile of melted goo. I looked at Scotty and Lili. They were mirroring each other’s shocked looks. “I’ll just be a moment.”
    “Wait.” Scotty got Levi’s attention, who had just taken my hand in his so we could walk to the door together. “Levi, before you go, I need your full name, suburb of residence, and occupation for the photo caption. Age is also optional.”
    “No problem, buddy. Levi James, Santa Cruz. Professional skydiver. Twenty-five. Single and just moved here.”
    I had the feeling he put that last comment in for me. My heart sang a little. Here was this gorgeous, funny guy that seemed interested in me, he lived local, and was single. Maybe Char was right about me finding someone tonight.
    “James as in D Derek James?” Scotty seemed to stutter slightly.
    “The one and only.” Levi nodded
    I looked at Lili and raised my eyebrows in question to the Derek James referral, but she seemed as clueless as me and shrugged her shoulders. Even though she was being a complete bitch to me, I knew we’d be good in the morning. It’s not like we hadn’t argued before.
    “Great to meet you, Lili. Scotty.” Levi nodded his head in farewell at each of them as he said their names.
    Levi dropped my hand in favor of wrapping his arm around me and placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to the exit. I went with him willingly. As far as I was concerned, I would follow him anywhere. The combination of the beers with the tequila shot must have had more of an effect on me than I realized. The normal me would never be so bold as to walk through a room full of sickeningly rich people with a guy that was way out of my league. I was hyper aware of his hand only inches from my ass, and everyone’s eyes in the room following us as he led me across the room. In fact, I swear I could feel Lili’s eyes burning little holes in my back.
    Levi didn’t say a word when we reached the exit, and instead of stopping at the doors, he pushed them open and continued to lead me into a vacant hallway of the hotel. Once he was confident we were alone, he stopped and leaned casually on the wall.
    “I meant what I said in there,” he said. “I want a rain check on this drinking competition.”
    “Sure, let me just check my diary.”
    He put his finger on my lips to stop me talking.
    “Let me talk,” he said. “In my line of work, I can’t have a hangover, and neither can people that come with me. That’s why I asked you out here. I want you to come to work with me tomorrow.”
    I raised my eyebrow, and sounded way more sarcastic than I would have liked. “Why? Is it bring a random girl you just met to work day?”
    Levi laughed at my stupid joke. “No, I’m a skydive instructor. And one of the boys just called in sick for tomorrow. They’ve got a pretty busy morning with tandems, except at ten. There’s one spot free and it’s my last scheduled jump for the morning. I’d love for you to come along. No charge.”
    “A skydiver for