Page 19 of Saving Micah

“You know us, Mi. We are always on the ready.” Levi says as he throws an arm over my shoulders.

My entire body stiffens. He kisses the top of my head and slowly removes his arm.

“I love you, Mi, and you are ok.” He says the same thing every time. I know what he is doing. I know it is coming every time and my body still seizes up. It makes me angry.

I turn and put my head in his chest and close my eyes. “Love you too, Levi. Thanks.”

“Anytime babe.”

I lift my head and turn around to go inside.

He’s standing in the doorway of my house. He’s looking at me and in the bright sunlight, his eyes are glowing. It takes my breath away.

He takes my breath away.

I stare at him for a second and then move toward him.

“Hey baby. You ok?” Zant says.

Yes, a lot has changed in two years.

Zant and I decided a year and a half ago to just go with a relationship. After everything we have been through, why wait?

One night while lying in my bed, his head at the foot and my head near the headboard, he said, “Mi, I love you. I always have and I always will. You are it for me. I think we need to give this relationship thing a try. I know what I want and it’s you.”

Neither one of us moved. I held my breath. He touched my leg and I finally let go.

“Z, I love you too. I always have.” Neither one of us looked at each other. We just laid there staring at my ceiling.

We’ve been ‘together’ ever since.

He knew everything I needed. He held me when I would let him. He would just stand there and offer his strength when I couldn’t.

Six months later, I finally allowed him to kiss me. It was my first kiss.

He was so gently with me but, I felt his hunger. He held back, I know, but he didn’t – if that even makes sense.

Maybe it wasn’t as hot as the kiss he gave that no name girl in the movie theater but I know it was so much more.

Since then he has gotten closer to just being able to hold me without me going stiff or pulling away. It has been a long process, a lot of tears, but he has stuck with me and loved me through every second of my healing.

When I get in front of him, I answer him. “Yes. I’m good. I promise. You ready to go?” He has our bags near the door.

He gives me his handsome smirk. “Yep. I can’t wait to see you in that bikini you got.”

“She better not have a skimpy bikini,” my mama yells from the kitchen.

I roll my eyes and Zant laughs. “Mama, I don’t have a bikini. Zant knew you were listening and wanted to rile you up.” My blue eyes never leave his laughing green ones.

“Boy. Don’t make me get my wooden spoon after you. You know you are never too old.” Mama warns him.

His eyes get wide. “Mama, I’m just playing with ya.” He says in his slow southern drawl. “Micah doesn’t have a bikini. She doesn’t want that spoon after her.”

I laugh at that.

Mama and her rules.

Mama and her spoon.

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