Page 95 of Need You To Choose Me

“It’s been a while.”

Blake shakes his head, clearly not happy with my answer. “I guess it’s good I stopped to grab something to eat then.” His hands drop on my waist, and he puts me down on the ground and gives me a gentle push toward the door. “Out. Now.”

“I’m going, I’m going.” I shake my head at his bossy tone as I make my way to the porch, where Levi is sitting on the floor next to the coffee table and slurping his drink.

“Hungry?” I ask as I sit on the swing next to him.

“Yes. We got you one too! It’s”—he grabs one of the bags and peeks inside before handing it to me—“this one.”

The smell of the burger and fries reaches my nostrils, and I can feel my stomach grumble once again. I pop one fry into my mouth, my eyes falling shut as the salty taste reaches my tongue.

“This is so good,” I groan loudly, covering my mouth.

Blinking my eyes open I find Levi watching me, a contemplative expression on his face. I take a napkin to wipe my mouth. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes.” Levi nods, his gaze falling to his food. He picks one fry and plays with it for a moment. “Miss Parker?”

“Yes?”

“What should I call you?”

I choke slightly, grateful that I finished my bite. “Umm… I don’t think I understand. Do you mind explaining it to me?”

“Well, I call you Miss Parker.” He glances at me, so I nod. “But Dad calls you Blondie or Savannah.”

“Oh…”

I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. I guess I could see where he was coming from. This whole situation has to be confusing to a six-year-old. Blake and I were having a child together, but I was also his teacher, which only made the whole situation that more complicated.

Still, he brought it up because, for one reason or another, this was troubling him.

“What would you like to call me?”

He shrugs and lowers his gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Hmm… How about this?” I place my hand on his shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze. Levi tilts his head back so he can watch me. “Since I’m still your teacher, when we’re in school, you have to call me Miss Parker.”

His face falls a little in disappointment, and I can feel my heart break for this little boy. He was so sweet; there was no way I could ever say no to him.

“However,” I continue, those big gray eyes fixing on me, “when we’re out of school, you can call me Sav.”

“Sav?” he repeats as if he’s testing the word, but I don’t miss the skepticism in his tone.

“Yes, it’s short for Savannah. It’s what all my friends call me.”

Levi’s whole face lights up. “Really? Does that mean I’m your friend, too?”

A strand of hair falls into his face as he flashes me a smile.

“Yes, we’re friends.”

“Yes.” Before I know it, he jumps to his feet and wraps his arms around me. You’re my best friend, Sav. After Kyle.” He tilts his head back. “He’s my best,bestfriend.”

I chuckle softly. “I think I can live with that.”

I extend my hand and gently brush his hair back. He tilts his head into my touch, a longing expression flashing on his face.

And that damn ache is back inside my chest, making it hard to breathe.

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