Page 56 of My Promise To Keep

‘That was fast, how mu… you’re not pizza.’ I freeze, wide-eyed at the sight and, goddam, the scent of the man on my doorstep.

‘I’m not. I mean, I’m hotanddelicious, but…’

‘Uncle Leo!’

The tiny whirlwind that rushes past me steals his attention, and I widen my eyes into the evening air above his now waist-level head.

‘Miss Bowie, I missed you.’

I glance down to see him wrap her up in his arms.

‘I missed you,’ she says sweetly while squeezing the air out of him. ‘Are you here for pizza?’

‘Um, no, I just cam…’

‘Pleeeeease eat pizza with us, please, please.’

Our eyes meet, and I shrug. What the fuck is he doing here?

‘That depends on what you ordered, Bo. You know I hate pepperoni, right?’

Bowie releases him, stepping back and gasping, horrified.

‘Oh no, I asked for pepperoni.’ Her little hands cover her mouth, and I think she might actually cry, so I step in.

‘He’s kidding, Bo.’ Leo stands, smiling, Bowie still holding his hand as his eyes meet mine. ‘Of course, Leo can stay for pizza.’

As the words leave my mouth, the tiny wings of nerves take flight in my stomach. He’s here, he’s fuckin’ beautiful, and once Bowie is asleep, we’ll be alone.

Leo passed me a little too closely as I stood frozen in the doorway. His chest was close enough to mine that the heat of his body made my traitorous nipples stand to attention, and by the smirk on his stupid, gorgeous face, he noticed.

When the pizza arrived, he jumped up to answer the door, paying and bringing it into the kitchen, where together we worked to pull out plates and dish out slices, and the whole time, my heart raced in my chest.

Having him here, in my home, with me, making Bowie so happy, it feels so good. We just fit, and it terrifies me.

I take a look at the clock as I leave the two besties on the couch watching TV and take the plates into the kitchen.

‘Okay, Bo Bo, it’s time for bed, sweetie.’

‘Uncle Leo, will you read my story?’ she asks, turning her sleepy little eyes up to him.

‘Um, of course, if Auntie Zoe doesn’t mind?’

Leo turns to me, and I shake my head, painting on a soft smile.

‘Of course not. Let’s get you cleaned up and into your pajamas first, okay?’

Bowie leads the way to the bathroom, and I get her ready for bed, making sure all the sugar from the ice cream we ate after pizza is off her little teeth. Then, I stand back as she calls for Leo.

‘I’ll go downstairs.’ I lean in to kiss her. ‘Night, Bo Bo. I love you.’

‘Love you too. Night, Auntie Zo.’

I turn to Leo. ‘When you finish her story, leave her nightlight on, and she’ll go to sleep. You can come down when you’re done.’

I’m cleaning my alreadyclean kitchen when I feel his presence behind me. Could I always sense him like that?

Turning to face him, I inhale sharply at the soft smile curving his lips.

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