Page 137 of Need You To Choose Me

“It’s noon already?” Savannah asks, pushing upright.

Levi looks over his shoulder, a smile lighting up his whole face. “Sav, you’re still here!”

The genuine surprise on Levi’s face makes my throat go tight.

Levi doesn’t notice it because he squirms out of my hold and goes to Savannah, wrapping his arms around her middle. Instead of protesting or being annoyed by him, Savannah smiles at my boy, her hand resting on his back. “I promised I’d be here until your dad came, didn’t I?”

“You did, but I didn’t think you’d stay.”

Savannah’s lips part in surprise at Levi’s words, at the nonchalance with which he said them.

He, too, was used to people leaving. His mother sure didn’t think twice before packing her shit and fleeing without a backward glance.

Just like Savannah’s.

Daniel shifts, drawing my attention. He’s quietly observing the duo, an unreadable expression on his face.

“I’d never do that.”

No, she wouldn’t. Because she knew exactly what it felt like to be left behind.

Savannah leans down, her lips pressing against Levi’s forehead. The gesture is instinctual and maternal, and Levi is drinking in every second of her attention. “No fever.” She ruffles his hair. “How is your tummy?”

Levi tilts his head, “Better, I think.”

Just at that moment, Levi’s stomach growls loudly, and he giggles.

The corner of my mouth tips upward. “Hungry?”

He lets go of Savannah and turns to me. “I’m starving!”

“How about I go and make us that soup you like?”

“Can we have pancakes?”

This kid.I shake my head. “How about soup first, and then we’ll see how you feel?”

“Fine, I guess. Can we at least watch movies?”

“Sure, we can watch movies.”

Savannah slides from the bed, and I slowly take her in. The bright red toes, her long creamy legs, my shirt falling to mid-thigh and hiding her bump, her teeth nibbling at her lower lip, the flushed cheeks…

“Umm…” She shifts slightly. “Can I just use your bathroom, and I’ll leave you guys to it?”

She wants to leave?

Before I get to say anything, Levi’s already at her side, his fingers wrapped around her wrists, shaking his head. “You can’tleave.” He glances at me, a determined expression on his face. “Sav can stay with us and watch a movie, right, Dad?”

“Of course, she can stay if she wants to,” I say slowly, weighing my words. Did I want her to stay? Hell, yes. But on the other hand, she has her own life, and she just spent the night taking care of my kids; it wouldn’t be fair to ask her for more. “Maybe she’s busy, buddy.”

Levi presses his lips together, not one to take no easily. “Are you busy?”

Savannah looks between us and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, no.”

“Stay.” Levi purses his lips. “Pretty please? I don’t want you to leave.”

“Might as well give up now,” Daniel says. “He’ll become more annoying than ever if you don’t agree.”

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