Page 150 of Safe With You

“I’ve created a monster.”

“I don’t know.” I rested my forearms against the counter. “Looks more like you’ve created a reader.”

“Same thing when she figures out books cost money.”

I laughed. “There are worse habits.”

“That’s easy for the bookstore owner to say.”

“Exactly. I’m encouraging all of her financially irresponsible book-buying decisions.”

“I’m starting to realize you’re a bad influence.”

“She likes me.”

“That’s the problem.”

From across the store, Mila turned another page, completely unaware that we were talking about her. Her lips moved slightly as she read to herself, brows pulling together in concentration whenever she got to a word that took a little more effort.

Ellis rested one arm against the counter beside me.

For a while, we just watched her.

Neither of us seemed in much of a hurry to move.

Eventually, the bookstore made the decision for us when another customer approached the counter.

Mila was still tucked away in the children’s corner twenty minutes later, completely engrossed in a stack of books she’d somehow managed to collect from three different shelves.

I glanced over just in time to see her hold one up for Ellis.

“Daddy, can we get this one?”

He took the book from her, studying the cover with exaggerated seriousness.

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“Does Miss Luna think it’s a good one?”

Mila turned toward me so quickly I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well?”

I walked over and took the book from Ellis, flipping it over even though I already recognized the cover.

“It’s one of my favorites.”

“I knew it,” Mila said, beaming.

Ellis sighed. “So my opinion never really mattered.”

“Not this time.”

“I’ve been outnumbered since we walked in.”

“You’ve been outnumbered since she was born,” I teased.