Page 23 of My Girl to Use

“Yeah,” I murmur quietly, glancing toward the bedroom. “We’re not messing this up.”

By the time she steps out, I’ve bathed Levi and dressed him for the day. He is calm again, resting easily against my chest like he belongs there. His small breaths steady, his fingers curled into my shirt. Zora pauses when she sees us, her movements slowing for a second.

Something soft passes through her expression before she looks away like she doesn’t want me to catch it. “You make it look too easy,” she says, grabbing her bag.

I shrug lightly. “He likes me.”

“He tolerates you,” she corrects, but there’s a hint of a smile there.

“Same thing.”

She rolls her eyes, stepping closer to adjust Levi’s blanket, her fingers brushing mine for a brief second. “I have to get to work.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I know,” I cut in, and that earns me a look.

Sometimes, I can tell how she feels about me. And other times, like now, when she refuses my help, I tend to wonder if she’s still holding back.

“Don’t start that.”

I grin slightly. “Too late.”

She shakes her head, but she doesn’t argue again. She grabs her keys and Levi’s stroller and heads for the door, and I follow with Levi still in my arms. The hallway is quiet this time, no noise, just the soft sound of our footsteps as we make our way downstairs.

Outside, the morning air is cooler. A light breeze cuts through the warmth of the sun just starting to rise higher. We stop at the curb, waiting, and for a second, neither of us says anything. It’s comfortable. I shift Levi slightly and reach for her hand without thinking.

My fingers close around hers like it’s the most natural thing in the world. She stills for a second, then her grip tightens just a little.

“You’re getting used to this,” she murmurs.

“Yeah,” I admit.

“Me too. But I’m scared.”

“Why, baby girl.”

She glances up at me, her expression softer now, less guarded than it used to be. “I don’t know what I want.”

I tilt my head slightly. “That’s not true.”

“Okay,” she exhales quietly. “I know what I feel. That’s different.”

“Not really.”

She glances up at me, her expression softer now, less guarded than it used to be. “Everybody who’s ever wanted me around got tired of it.”

“I’m not everybody.”

“That’s what you’d say either way.” She says it lightly. It doesn’t come out lightly.

I shift Levi to my other arm so I can turn her chin up with my knuckle. “Say the real one.”

She holds my eyes for maybe two seconds. Then she looks at the street. “I have to go.”

Before she can pull away, I pull her in gently, closing the small space between us and pressing my lips to hers. It’s a soft, slow kiss, but it lingers, as if neither of us is in a hurry to pull away.