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I tilt my head, fighting a smile. “So you didn’t smash someone’s head into that table?”

Levi pauses.

“No,” he says. “Don’t listen to anyone in here. They’re all full of it.”

“Of course.”

Levi returns to his game, and a few minutes later Theo wanders over clutching a glass of what looks like apple juice. He launches into a very serious explanation of snooker, taking his role as tutor extremely seriously. He explains every rule with little nods and dramatic hand gestures, correcting my imaginary mistakes before I can even make them.

Apparently I’ve been holding my invisible cue incorrectly.

I listen, genuinely enjoying his company.

When Levi finishes his game, he heads to the bar. I watch as the bartender leans across the counter, twisting a strand of hair around her finger while she smiles up at him. The interest is obvious even from here.

“She likes him,” Theo says matter-of-factly.

I turn back quickly. “Oh.”

“But he doesn’t like her,” Theo continues. “He doesn’t like many people. He only really hangs out with me and⁠—”

He cuts himself off.

“And?” I ask gently.

“No one,” he says quickly, suddenly fascinated by his drink.

I glance back toward the bar. Levi’s collecting his change. The bartender is still smiling, still trying, but he barely reacts. His expression stays neutral, almost bored. He picks up the drinks and walks away without encouraging her at all.

Most men would soak up that kind of attention.

“Lemonade for you,” he says when he returns, setting the glass in front of me. “Need you sober. You’ve gotta drive me home.”

I look up at him. “You’re trusting me with the Mustang again?”

Levi shrugs his good shoulder like it means nothing. But when his eyes meet mine, there’s that shy look again.

His final game is against a man called Jim.

Levi plays well at first. Then, slowly, he starts missing easy shots. A ball drifts wide for no obvious reason. Another stops short. At one point, while lining up, he accidentally bumps a ball with his hand and sends it rolling neatly into a pocket for Jim.

I know enough to recognize a gift when I see one.

Jim, however, looks delighted.

“Still got it,” he says proudly when he wins.

Levi takes the loss with a low laugh, no trace of ego in sight. He shakes Jim’s hand warmly and claps the older man on the back with real affection.

“Alright, old man,” Levi says, nodding toward Theo and me. “Come on. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

They walk over together. Jim is smiling broadly while Levi looks almost uncomfortable.

“This is Carmen,” Levi says. “My neighbor.”

It shouldn’t sound like anything. It’s just a fact. But his voice softens around the words in a way that makes my chest feel strangely full.

Jim’s face lights up. He steps forward and takes my hand in both of his, giving it a firm, friendly shake. “Well, I see what all the fuss is about,” he says with a twinkling smile. “Lovely to meet you, Carmen.”