Page 173 of Between Never and Forever
“You love it.”
I hear a quiet laugh. “I do.”
I walk through the garage door into Levi’s house. He’d left it open for us, so we didn’t have to deal with the assholes on the sidewalk outside.
“Savannah!”
Brynn gives me a hug before Ziggy pounces, knocking her on her ass. She giggles and scratches Zigg’s head, then Red pulls her back to her feet.
“Happy early birthday, Boss. I forgot your present, but it should be here in a few days.”
She hugs me again, tighter this time, just as Levi and Sharon come into focus. I give them both a nod before focusing back on Brynn. I smooth her hair back and return the hug with just as much enthusiasm.
“How are you holding up?”
She shrugs and pulls back, swiping at her face where a few tears have fallen.
“It’s kind of scary, but it doesn’t matter. Dad’s my dad. That won’t change.”
I smile at her and nod. She’s so much wiser than her age. I’m sure growing up with a sick parent has a lot to do with it, but the fact that Levi is always honest with her also plays a factor.I don’t lie to my daughter, he’d told me. It makes me love him more.
“That’s very true,” I say, my eyes scanning her face. “It won’t change. He’s your dad. You’re his daughter. You always will be. That’s what matters.”
It’s funny. When I first met Brynnlee, I couldn’t find Levi in her features at all. I searched and searched and came up blank.
But now, despite knowing the truth, I see him everywhere. In the serious set of her brow. The warm concern in her eyes. The way she purses her lips when she’s being critical, which is always, just like her father. Her keen intellect. Her studiousness. She might not be Levi’s biological child, but she’s his daughter through and through. There’s absolutely no denying it.
“So, what’s the word, then?” I ask, changing the subject, and I take delight in the way her eyes brighten and her smile returns.
“Curmudgeon. Noun. A crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man.”
I smirk and flick my eyes toward Levi. He raises an eyebrow in challenge.
“Don’t,” he warns, so I raise an eyebrow right back before I start to speak.
“Levi Cooper was known as throughout town as an unfriendly curmudgeon.”
He shakes his head as Brynn giggles.
“A plus, Sav!” I take a dramatic bow and then she claps her hands together. “Oh, I almost forgot! I learned a song. Want to hear?”
“Um, duh. Give me a second with your dad and Sharon, first. Take Zigalicious to the music room, and I’ll be there in a sec, okay?”
Brynn turns and sprints through the house, and Ziggy follows without any prompting.
My dog looks for any opportunity to replace me.
“You just couldn’t help yourself,” Levi says dryly.
I wink at him and shrug.
“It was a softball toss. I had to do it.”
As soon as I’m sure Brynn is out of earshot, I take Levi’s hand and step into his arms. He pulls me against his chest and presses a kiss to the top of my head. I don’t question it. I don’t hide it from Red or my mom. It would be pointless to try, anyway. Instead, I just relax into his embrace and breathe in his scent. I miss him more and more every time I leave.
“Any news?” I finally ask, and Sharon shakes her head.
“No. Nothing yet.”
