“Well, we don’t want to keep you kids, let’s get the check,” Dad said.

Ten minutes later we headed for the door and noticed the torrential rainstorm.

“I didn’t know it was going to rain,” Mom said as we got ready to venture out.

“It’s just how things are here. It can go from a clear sky to a storm in minutes,” I explained as if I was the resident New Orleans expert.

“We might as well get it over with,” Dad said.

“Okay, thanks for dinner. I won’t be back too late, Mom.”

“All right, have a nice night you two.” Mom waved before dashing out.

As soon as my parents disappeared around the corner, I walked out into the rain pulling Levi with me.

“What the hell was all of that? What are you playing at?”

“What am I playing at? I can’t believe you didn’t tell your parents about me!”

“What the heck was I supposed to tell them? It’s not like we’re officially together or anything.”

“Not officially together? You mean I’ve been staying away from other girls all summer just for the fun of it?”

The rain pouring down only accentuated the anger on Levi’s face.

“It’s not like I’ve been with anyone else either.”

“Then what are we arguing about? That we’re both too stubborn to admit we actually have something here?”

“What does it matter? I mean it’s already August—”

“Just stop. I know what the problem is.”

“Care to enlighten me?” Already soaked to the bone, I could hardly contain my anger.

Levi came out of left field. “Let me take you out on a real date.”

“Seriously? That’s your response? And what separates a real date from anything else?”

“Dinner, wine, nice clothes. Come on, it’ll be fun.”

I paused, fleetingly wondering if I really wanted to say no even if I had the willpower to resist him. I admitted defeat, “Fine.”

“So Friday night at seven?”

“Okay. Are we done here ‘cause this rain is getting old and—”

With the rain enveloping us, Levi interrupted me with a kiss. Holding back for a moment, I couldn’t resist any longer. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down to my level. A honking car brought us back to reality and he pulled away from me slowly, his gaze heated.

“I guess I should get you out of the rain.”

“You mean us?”

“No, just you. The rain doesn’t bother me much.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“With me babe, the surprises never end.” With an arm draped over my shoulders, he led me back to the hotel.

***

“That was fast,” Mom said as I walked into the room.

“Yeah, we decided not to go.”

“Probably for the best, considering you’re drenched.” She tried to hide a small smile.

“Good point. I’m going to go dry off.”

“Do that. But Allie?”

“Yeah?” I asked as I headed to my room.

“I think I like him for you.”

“What does that mean?”

“You could do worse. Much worse.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving soon anyway.”

“Not everything in life is black and white. Sometimes the best parts are gray. Just remember that not everything can fit into one your neat little boxes.”

“My neat little boxes?”

She laughed lightly. “Just think about it.”

“Okay. If you are done philosophizing, I’m going to change.”

Mom left the next morning and I couldn’t get her words out of my head. I wasn’t completely sure what she was getting at, but I was determined not to let the fact that I was leaving get in the way of the time we did have. In just the last few months both my mom and best friend had accused me of being unable to color outside the lines, and by God I was going to prove them wrong.

Chapter Fourteen

The dress demanded to be worn. Determined to wear something completely different from the bright colored sundresses that filled most of my closet, the short, black, and lacy dress I bought with Hailey called out to me. Slipping into the little black dress, I wondered what Levi had planned for the night.

I used more dramatic makeup than usual and put on a new pair of kitten heel pumps. Leaving my hair down, I was ready just as Levi knocked.

“Hello there gorgeous,” Levi gaped at me unabashedly.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Levi looked great in a dress shirt and khakis.

“You ready?”

“Definitely.”

He took my hand as we boarded the elevator, smiling at me in a way that gave me chills.

“Are you cold?”

“No.”

“Does that mean I’m the cause of the goose bumps?”

“Maybe,” I said coyly.

“Nice.” He gave me one of his devastating toothy grins.

An older couple entered the elevator one floor down, disrupting our conversation.

“Celebrating something special tonight?” the woman asked.

“No, just a night out,” I answered.

“There is always something worth celebrating,” she continued.

“Right,” I said as the elevator door opened up at the lobby. “Have a nice night.”

“You too,” she smiled.

We walked out into the sticky heat of the night, headed for dinner.

Levi squeezed my hand. “You were wrong, you know.”

“About what?”

“We are celebrating tonight.”

“Oh yeah? What are we celebrating exactly?”

“We’re celebrating you,” he stopped walking to place a hand over my heart, “and me, and an amazing summer.”

“All things worth celebrating.”

We walked the rest of the way to the restaurant in near silence, just enjoying each other’s company. Usually Levi felt the need to fill every second with conversation, and it was a nice change to just exist.

The ambiance at Antoine’s was perfect. Seated at a corner table, I was struck by the beauty of the historic restaurant. With a menu of French-Creole food, Levi had picked the perfect place.

The waiter approached our table shortly after we sat down. “Welcome to Antoine’s. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Yes, we’ll have the 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild.” Levi ordered without glancing at the wine menu.