Page 43 of The History in Us

“Really?” Surprise didn’t do justice to my response. Levi didn’t seem like the bookish type. Then again, I remember him reading the passage from my novel and decided he could read me a grocery list in that voice, and I’d melt on the sidewalk faster than snow under salt.

“Of course.” He pulled open the door at his side and moved the stroller to allow me entrance. Following after me, we entered a quaint, independent bookstore dedicated to women and children. Levi followed me as my fingers drifted lazily over the spines of books on a shelf. Not really reading the titles, I enjoyed the curve of each cover under my fingertips. Turning the corner for the next aisle, I noticed a children’s section toward the back of the store. I walked forward, directing Levi to follow me.

“I love children’s books,” I offered for no particular reason when I picked one up and flipped appreciatively through the pages. “I want to write one, one day. Well, one for teens.”

“Really? I remember you telling me you liked romance. How does that translate?”

“Any romance is essentially a fairy tale at heart. It’s fiction, so it’s all fantasy.” My eyes drifted to another book, and I picked up Emily’s favorite fairy tale.

“I like your fantasies,” he muttered before reading over my shoulder. “Beauty and the Beast? Seems fitting.” He paused a moment. “Although I would have thought The Little Mermaid was your favorite.” The sarcasm in his tone struck a chord.

“Are you trying to be funny?” Referencing a character who couldn’t speak hinted at my selective mutism as a child.

“It was a legitimate question. I’m sorry.” His voice was contrite. The shock on his face proved he didn’t intend to hurt me. The warm palm of his hand on the base of my spine made all forgiven. His head hung low as he looked at the glossy array of books over my shoulder. I felt his breath on my neck and my mouth watered for him, but I walked around the table, needing some space between us.

“Actually, my favorite fairy tale is a modern one titled Penelope. The main character is cursed with a pig nose and tail. The way to break the curse is by finding her true love.”

“Spoiler alert. It’s a prince.”

“Spoiler alert. It’s within herself,” I snapped in response, my tone teasing “She has to love who she is in order to break the curse’s hold over her.”

Levi stared at me like I’d spoken a foreign language.

“Anyway, it’s my favorite.” I shrugged and walked toward a section labeled: History.

“We still need to figure out our project. I just can’t think of anything. The birth of the city. The architecture. The White City.” I raised an eyebrow at him. He hadn’t been interested in reporting on history from the extensive novel regarding the World’s Fair Exhibition. “Maybe we need a theme. Like perseverance.”

Levi’s head swung to face me. “Like that contest?”

My eyebrows shot upward. “Are you entered?”

Levi pinched his forehead. “Anne’s been pestering me to submit a writing piece, but then she had me meet a photographer from the Tribune.” Levi looked like he didn’t want to talk about the meeting.

“Photographer?” I questioned, spinning to fully face him. “Is a photographer what you want to be?”

He shrugged noncommittally. “I’d love to work for Geographic Digest. See the world and travel back overseas. But that might be a pipe dream now.” He looked down at AJ and pushed the stroller forward, stopping before the photography books in the opposite aisle. Levi pulled a book from the shelf.

“Maybe that’s what we should do our project on. A history in images.” I spoke as I hurried behind him. Levi stared at me over his shoulder.

“Aren’t pictures automatically required?” he scoffed.

“Yes, but if we used your artistic ability, the visual montage would be something different.”

“You don’t even know if I have artistic ability,” he chuckled.

“I’m trusting you,” I said and he stared at me. The book in his hand froze in mid-opening. His eyes shifted back to the book, ignoring my statement.

“I think that’s a good idea. The photograph part,” he amended, his voice softening. He continued looking at the book, randomly flipping images, and I sauntered away, as he was more interested in the book than discussing the project.

I decided to wander back to the romance section. I couldn’t help myself. The covers were all too enticing, and I picked up the one with a couple back-to-back in black and white. Historical mystery. Sexual discovery. Romantic love. It sounded like the perfect combination for me and I flipped the book over, running a hand lovingly over the cover.

“Would you like that one?”

I nodded without thinking, and Levi’s hand reached around me, tugging the book from my grasp. He added it on top of the photography book he selected and turned for the counter.

“You don’t have to do that,” I offered, following behind him.

“I know. And I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t want to.” His words rang similar to what he’d said about kissing me. He set the books on the check-out counter before I could give it a second thought.

“You can put them in the same bag,” he suggested before the cashier asked. The cashier looked upward.

“You have a beautiful family.” The older gentlemen with glasses dangling from his neck smiled at me.

“Oh, we’re—”

“Thank you,” Levi interjected, ignoring my correction. I looked down at AJ, with his eyes like his father’s, smiling up at me and my heart pinched at the possibility of one day being with a man, having his child, and him purchasing books for me. I found it strangely romantic that Levi put our items in the same bag, like we were a couple, like we did this often, like we had history.