Page 59 of The History in Us

“I…I did. You’re a natural born speaker. They loved what you said. I loved what you said.” Stepping forward, I reached for him but lowered my hands. I hadn’t realized they were shaking. “I didn’t mean what I said the other night. You’ve suffered plenty in life, Levi, and I’m sure you’re grateful for what you have. It was selfish of me to think otherwise. You’re an intelligent man. I know you’ve earned the success you have at great sacrifice.”

“Don’t.” His head snapped upward. “Don’t apologize. And don’t sound like you feel sorry for me.” His hands pulled from his pockets, and one covered his hair, resting on the back of his neck.

“I don’t feel sorry for you,” I said to the floor. “I’m jealous.”

Levi stared at me. “Why?” His voice snarled, and his brows pinched enough to create a crease.

“You have opportunity, leading you in a direction after you finish school. And you have AJ.”

“I…” He stepped forward and his hands covered my upper arms. “Katie.” My name was a plea and a question rolled into one as his forehead came forward to rest against mine.

“I’m sorry,” I said and his lips came to my hair. Holding them briefly against my pounding head, he pulled back and said, “Don’t be.” Our eyes met and held for a moment, and I so wanted to believe he felt the same toward me as I felt for him.

“Why are you in here?” he asked, looking around our empty surroundings.

“My head is pounding. I’m not good at these things. I don’t make small talk well, and I thought I’d leave soon.”

“You can’t leave until you dance with me,” he teased.

“Levi, you don’t have to do this. I’m not staying through dinner, another speech, and dessert. This isn’t me. Small town girl, remember? This isn’t my thing.”

“Katie, dance with me.” I stared at him, looking over his shoulder at the vacant band equipment.

“Now?”

“Now,” he said, stepping into me and slipping a hand around my lower back. His other hand cupped mine, and then he moved us in time to a song in his head. He pressed me closer to him as he slowly spun us, his rhythm choppy but seductive as he held me against him.

“This dress, Katie. You look…incredible.” The word washed over me, renewing the taste of seduction I had the first time I wore it. His hand slid lower on the slippery fabric, temptingly close to the curve of my behind. His mouth came to my neck, and the combination of the coarse hairs on his cheeks and the vibration of his humming tickled my exposed skin.

“Is that ‘Let It Be Me’?” I whispered, surprised that he gently sung one of my favorite songs. He kissed me briefly, a smile on his lips against my skin, and then we twirled. “I love Ray LeMontagne.” Levi only continued to smile, mumbling words into my neck, asking me to let it be him. How did he not know, it was already him? It had always been him, and I’d been waiting a long time.