“The Middle Ages?”
“Yes, I’ve always wanted to witness what society was like during that time. There was an expansion of population of about 35 million to 80 million people in Europe between 1000 and 1347. Can you believe that? That’s incredible! And then there were the religious crusades and the system of feudalism was introduced. It’s all so fascinating.”
“Wow, you really do love history.”
“I do. My heart is with modern history, as you know, and the Civil Rights Movement, but I’m a bit of a European history buff as well. I’ve often thought about doing my dissertation on the parallels between the Middle Ages and the Civil Rights Movement.”
“There are parallels?” Zane looked surprised and I laughed.
“Well, I’d have to research. That’s the point.” I laughed and then looked down as I remembered that I may never get to do that research. I’m not sure how I would be able to do it if I were pregnant and had a baby. How would I be able to go to grad school then?
“What’s wrong?” Zane frowned as he saw my expression change.
“Nothing.” I smiled brightly, not wanting to share my thoughts with him. “Are you done? We still have to go shopping.” I changed the subject quickly.
“Did you know that when I was in school, we learned about William the Conqueror and Harold of Hastings, and Noah and I would always play a game called The Battle of Hastings comes to Los Angeles?” Zane smiled at the memory. “And we used Star Wars light sabers that my dad got us. And we would run around, zapping each other.” He laughed. “I just remembered that, that was a fun game.”
“I’m impressed that you remember what happened in 1066.” I smiled at him gently and leaned forward. “You’re more of a history buff than I thought.”
“I should note that William had R2D2 on his side and Harold had C-3PO and we weren’t fighting for England, but for the moon,” Zane laughed.
“Well, as long as it was for the moon.” I reached over and grabbed his hand. “I wish I would have gotten to meet Noah.” I spoke gently, not wanting to upset him.
“So do I.” He laid some money on the table and stood up. “Now, let’s go shopping.”
***
“I can’t believe you wanted to come to Ikea.” Zane looked lost in the sea of people. “I can’t say that I’ve ever been here before, but I’ve never heard it was the place to get bedding.”
“I don’t know that it’s the place to get bedding, but it is the place to get affordable bedding.” I made a face at him.
“I don’t want to push the fact that I have money in your face. But I don’t need to go to the Costco of bed sheets.”
“This isn’t the Costco of bed sheets, you snob.” I shook my head. “In fact, I don’t even know what that means. How can this be the Costco of bed sheets? Do you think we’re going to get a big pack of 10 sheets and duvets?” I laughed. “To go with our 100 pack of toilet paper.”
“You can get a 100 pack of toilet paper rolls?” Zane looked like a light bulb had gone off in his head. “You mean I could buy a lifetime’s supply of toilet paper on one trip?”
“Zane! Focus, we’re here to buy sheets and a duvet cover.”
“I’d still like to know why we’re in an Ikea, and not some swanky store in Beverly Hills.”
“I can’t afford to buy sheets in Beverly Hills.” I sighed. “I wanted this to be my treat to you because you’re changing them for me.”
“Lucky, no.” Zane looked at me in shock. “You can’t afford that.”
“I want to,” I said obstinately. It was true that I didn’t really have the money to buy him sheets, but I also needed to feel that I wasn’t just getting a free ride. “Besides, I’ll be getting a paycheck soon, right?”
“I don’t really want you spending your hard-earned money on me.” He frowned. “But if you insist. And if you will actually accept and cash my paycheck.”
“I …” my voice trailed off. He was right. I did feel funny about cashing the checks. It just didn’t seem right to take money from my boyfriend, no matter if I was working for him or not. It was okay when we were just friends, but to be sleeping with him and taking money made it all seem a bit sleazy.
“Lucky, you have to take the money.” Zane folded his arms across the chest. “You still have to send Leeza your rent money every month.”
“I know, I know.” I crinkled my nose and grabbed his arm. “Let’s go look at sheets, we can talk about this later.” We finally moved away from the couches and I saw a little girl staring at us curiously. She was bouncing up and down on a beanbag chair while her parents measured the dimensions of one of white couches to the right of them. I was surprised that they were considering a white couch with a kid; frankly I wouldn’t get a white couch if it were just me, not with how messy I was. I smiled at the little girl as we walked and she stuck her tongue out at me and turned her face away. I giggled to myself at her precociousness and I saw Zane giving me a side-long glance. I was sure he was likely wondering if I was crazy or not, but I just smiled and continued walking. Let him think what he wants. The crazy part might be right; I wouldn’t doubt it if someone said that I was.
“No pink sheets, Lucky.” Zane squeezed my hand. “Please no pink sheets.”
“I’m not a little princess, you know.”
“You’re my princess.” He purred and I punched his arm. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me towards him, and I squealed as I pushed him backwards. He held onto me as he fell back and we both landed on the queen-sized display bed that was behind him. “Lucky, I know you want me, but we’re in public.” He grinned at me as we lay on our backs.
“You wish.” I shook my head and tried to sit up. He pulled me back down towards him and kissed me hard and I melted against him, enjoying the warm sweetness of his lips on mine.
He smiled as he pulled away from me and licked my lips. “You taste like honey.”
“It’s maple syrup.”
“Well, it’s good.” He leaned towards me again and ran his tongue over my bottom lip slowly. I stared into his eyes, and we laid there for a moment, just gazing at each other.
“Excuse me, excuse me! You guys can’t be on the bed doing that.” I looked up, embarrassed, and saw an elderly lady staring at us with a shocked expression. “You two need to get up off the bed. This is a reputable business, not a brothel.” She glared at us and I jumped up off of the bed quickly. Zane stood up slowly and smiled at the lady.