Page 70 of Levi Bailey has Butterflies

“Meredith is at Mom’s. That means you talked to her. You’ve seen her. You’ve worked things out.”

A rumble sounds from my throat and little Lulabelle, warm and solid in my arms, squawks. “Things aren’t worked out like you mean, Coco. We’re just friends.Friends. That’s it.” Friends who almost kissed.

“That isn’t it. You like her. And she likes you.”

I shake my head and peer down at Lulabelle. “She doesn’t need someone like me. And we both know that.”

“Someone like you? What does that mean? Please don’t make me get out of this bed.”

“Geez, Coco,” I chuckle, but there’s little humor in it. “Someone so much older. Someone tired. Someone grumpy.”

“Oh, please. You aren’t grumpy. You just need to worry less and smile more. She helps you do that, Levi.”

I peer down at the baby. “You’d think I’d be afraid of her. But I just love her.”

“Lulabelle or Meredith?”

That makes me snort. “The baby. She’s so small.”

“Now, you’re changing the subject.”

I lift my eyes to look at Coco. Her brown hair is mussed and she’s got tired lines beneath her eyes. “I just think we’re too different. She needs someonedifferentthan me.”

“She needs someone who won’t love her fiercely? Someone who won’t do everything he can to protect her? Someone who doesn’t gather his family together just to play a game of football simply because it’s something she’s never done and wants to?”

I breathe out a tired breath. Resigned and tired. “Just someone different.”

Coco mutters to herself, and I can’t be sure but I think I hear the word “moron” amongst her mutterings. “So what now?”

I trace Lulabelle’s cheek with the back of my finger. I may not be the right person for Meredith, but I want her to be happy. I promised I’d help with her list. And I will. We’re still friends. “Nothing now. I just keep being her friend. That’s all.”

“That’s all?”

“Yep.”

“We’ll see,” Coco says, sighing with exhaustion. “It’s not every day someone gives you butterflies, Levi Bailey. That means something.”

28

Meredith

Over the next two weeks, Levi takes me to try sushi and he gives me my first driving lesson. Surprisingly, I’m much better in a car than my first time on a bike. I try to bring up the night Lulabelle was born, my number five, and what almost happened. But Levi always has something else to tell me.

I should invest in a phone stand for my bike. Following directions while riding is testing all my skills. Still, I get to Coco’s house in under twenty minutes. Levi is waiting outside when I pull up. I feel a ridiculous sense of giddiness when I see him. It’s always there, bubbling inside of me.

“Hey,” he says, and I love that smile. He smiles with all of his body, all of his muscles. And it feels like a gift whenever he gives it. “You found us.”

“I did. I need a phone stand, though.” I step from my bike and park it against the house.

“Oh.” He nods. “I can get you one of those.”

“I need another bike too.”

“Another bike?” his shoulder bumps mine. We don’t embrace or hug hello, but he always touches me—in some way. Today—our arms bump as we walk side by side into Coco’s home.

“Yeah, I want to get one for my friend, Nikki.”

“The girl who helps you bake cookies?”

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