Page 13 of Chasing Forever

I spotted the cheese and grabbed it, along with the small tub of butter. Then went for one of the large, plump beefsteak tomatoes in the crisper drawer.

“Is there, uh... is there anything I can help with?” Tristan asked, sounding like he might have been as unsure of himself as I felt in the moment.

“Um, sure.” I tried to get my brain to cooperate on what I was doing and not on how good Tristan smelled. “Would you mind grabbing a loaf of bread? And I’ll need a frying pan.”

“Yeah, sure.” He pointed to one of the lower cabinets. “Pan’s in there,” he directed, then opened the door to what I could see was a fully stocked pantry. “Uh... any preference on the bread? Looks like B got every kind the store carries.”

I looked back over my shoulder and tilted to get a better look. Sure enough, the shelf was stuffed with several different types of bread. “Hmm. Let’s go with the sourdough. And do you have a cutting board?”

He placed the loaf of bread on the counter beside me before moving away, only to return a moment later with a cutting board. “What’s on the menu?”

“Levi’s requested grilled cheese sandwiches.” I glanced his way and waggled my brows. “Because his seven-year-old palette is so sophisticated.”

Tristan looked down at the selection I had before me, and his brows rose toward his hairline when he spotted the tomato. “Tomato for a grilled cheese? Not sure I’ve seen that before.”

I smiled as I plucked it up and started cutting it into even slices. “Yeah, Levi loves tomatoes.”

“Really?” Tristan asked with surprise.

I nodded. “Uh-huh. He actually used to eat them whole when he was a toddler. Would just bite into them like they were apples.” The happy memory of my chubby-cheeked nephew sitting in his high chair with tomato juice and slime covering his face made me smile. “And as long as he’s willing to eat them, you won’t hear me complain. This way I can tell people he gets a full serving of his fruitsandvegetables since most people can’t agree on which category they fall under.”

He chuckled, the huskiness resonating through the space. “Smart.”

An idea hit me then a tiny way to pay him back for everything he’d done for Levi and me. “You know, they’re actually really good. I’m already making sandwiches for Levi and me. It would be no problem to make a couple more if you’re hungry.”

He shot me a surprised look before his features softened. “Really?”

I swallowed, hoping the gulp wasn’t audible. “Absolutely.”

“That sounds fantastic. Thank you.” He smiled, and I melted faster than the dollop of butter I’d just dropped into the pan.

Man, I was in so much trouble.

Chapter Eight

Merritt

Pulling the comforter up to Levi’s neck, I sat on the edge of his bed and leaned down to brush the tip of my nose against his until he giggled sleepily.

“That tickles.”

I pulled back, grinning down at the little boy who held my heart. “Did you remember to brush your teeth?” He nodded. “And did you go to the bathroom?”

“Yep.”

“All right then. Looks like you’re all set.” I tucked the blankets around him exactly how he liked and stood from the bed, bending forward to press a kiss to his forehead. “I love you around the world and back again,” I told him, using the same line I had every time I’d ever tucked him in.

“How many times?” he asked just like he always did.

I hummed thoughtfully before answering. “A hundred million.”

“Well, I love you around the world and back again agazilliontimes,” he insisted, always having to beat me.

“That sure is a lot. Time to go to sleep and dream good dreams.”

“Okay. ’Night, Aunt Merri.”

“’Night, little dude,” I returned, then started for the door. A night light in the corner provided a soft glow once I turned off the bedroom light. Before I could step out and pull the door closed, Levi called my name.

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