Page 80 of The History in Us

“It’s a pleasure to meet someone devoted to my daughter’s little project.” Despite the tease, there was a hint of disapproval. Sidonia narrowed her eyes.

“Daddy, you promised,” she hissed, lowering her head and looking from left to right. He raised a hand in surrender and tilted his head in apology.

“That I did.” His voice boomed, and I took a second glance at a man who didn’t resemble his daughter’s exotic appearance in any manner. Unless Sidonia was a replica of her mother, I’d venture to guess Sidonia was adopted. However, she hardly spoke of her family, simply mentioning she grew up in Chicago and had lived here all her life.

Her arm returned to mine and she spun me for the bar.

“Did I happen to notice that the name Levi Walker was also on the list of finalists?” Her eyes shifted sideways to me.

“You did, and might I add, I’m shocked you didn’t mention you knew of this project or this dinner,” I added, admonishing her teasingly.

“It’s just like I never knew you wanted to be a writer.” She paused as we reached the line of waiting guests for the bar. Turning to me, she spoke as her brow pinched.

“You’re very talented, Katie. Quite the imagination for fantasy. Why didn’t you tell me before?” Shrugging a shoulder, I didn’t have an answer.

“I guess it isn’t something you bring up between pass the box-cutter and ringing up customers,” I joked.

“I wish I’d known earlier.” Her voice softened as we took another step toward the bar. After ordering a glass of wine for each of us, we turned back to the glowing ballroom. Instantly, my eyes landed on a handsome man in a tuxedo.

“Levi,” I sighed, as he stood less than a foot away from me. He leaned in politely, circling my elbow and stepping forward to brush my cheek with his lips.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered as he lingered a moment. He stepped back just as swiftly and my tongue froze. We stared at one another.

“Hello. I’m Sidonia Thomas,” my boss interjected, extending her hand to Levi.

“Levi Walker,” he offered, shaking hers.

“I’ve heard so much about you.” Sidonia smiled.

“All good I hope,” he teased. Sidonia narrowed her eyes and winked.

“Yet to be proven. If you’ll excuse me. Katie, come sit with me for dinner.” Sidonia sauntered away before I could reply, leaving Levi and me awkwardly alone. After a moment of silence, I spoke.

“How’s AJ?”

“He misses you.” Levi’s eyes softened, but the clenched jaw and too-much-white-teeth smile contradicted his words. “I do, too.”

“I don’t think you’re allowed to,” I muttered, looking down at my feet. Seeing him was worse than I’d thought. My heart raced, but a cold sweat covered me. I couldn’t be near him without missing him triple-fold and I scolded myself for wanting a taken man.

“Can I speak with you a moment?” He tipped his head to an alcove near a set of French doors. While my head screamed don’t follow, my heart said just listen. I’d always been good at listening. I nodded and followed his lead.

“I want to explain…” My hand rose defensively.

“You don’t owe me—”

“Yes, I do.” He reached forward and linked his fingers with mine, stepping too close to me. The scent of him, clean and manly overwhelmed me. Being alone with him was a mistake.

“Did you bring Alicia?” I snapped. My intention was to hurt him because my heart ached. I angled my head to scan the ballroom for a woman I didn’t wish to see.

“There is no Alicia.” My head spun back to him. “I made a mistake. We were never getting back together, but I thought I should try once more to see if she wanted to be a mother. If I took the job, I felt I owed her the opportunity to be with her son. I was wrong. Very wrong.”

My heart pinched when I thought of AJ. Too young to recognize the rejection, but he’d grow into a son who would learn he wasn’t wanted by his own mother. I would always know the feeling.

“I’m so sorry. What will you do?” I don’t know why I asked. His answer didn’t belong to me, and the hair on the back of my neck rose with hope and hostility. I wanted him to ask me to be with him, take care of AJ, but I didn’t want to be his second choice.

“I didn’t take the job.” My shoulders fell. I had to admit I was sorry to see his dream disappear. I knew that feeling, too.

“I’m so sorry. I guess this award ceremony becomes all the more important to you now.” He still had the possibility of a publishing contract. Who knew? He could change it into a photojournalist book of his own, if he wished. He was in the editorial category.

“That’s not why I’m here.” He scratched under his chin as his eyes narrowed on me. “I declined the candidacy.”

“But…”

“I don’t want to be a writer, Katie.” It was my turn for eyes to narrow, taking his meaning as an insult. That being a writer was unworthy as a career. My chest rose and fell, the irritation growing.

“Why are you here then?” I snapped, setting down my glass of wine on a nearby table, no longer thirsty.

“I came to support you.”