Page 54 of Just A Little Fling

“Grilled cheese,” Nico shouted.

“I think it’s time to try something new. How about a peanut butter, tuna fish, and tomato sandwich? That sounds good to me.” Nico looked disgusted at my suggestion.

“No, silly. That’s yucky,” he giggled.

“All right, fine. A mushroom sandwich with strawberry yogurt sauce is my final offer.”

Nico got up from the kitchen table and came around the island to where I stood with the bread in front of me. He reached out and took both my cheeks in his hand before pulling my head down and bringing it close to his face.

“Babbo, grilled cheese. I want the yummy kind.” With his hands still on my cheeks, he rose on his toes and kissed me on the mouth. “Pretty please.”

“If you’re gonna ask me like that…”

Nico gave a decisive nod and returned to the kitchen table, but before he sat down, he made a detour to get crayons and a coloring book from the sideboard. He arranged his stuffie so it could supervise his coloring while I worked at the stove. Nico gave a running commentary to his supervisor about his choices and the coloring book. Every once in a while, he would make an offer and give them a choice of which color to pick. It seemed they always picked the brightest, most colorful option. Within a few minutes, I had his sandwich ready, along with some sliced apples. I’d made a few purchases for the kitchen, and I was hopeful he’d like them.

“Eat up, Sweet Boy.” I set the divided plate in front of him, along with the matching adult-size sippy cup with a two-sided handle.

“Babbo, for me?” Nico traced the ridges and edges of the plate. The cup had a worm in a hard hat reading some kind of job site plan, and an ant on the matching plate was driving a bulldozer.

“Yep, it’s for you. Do you like them?”

Nico stayed silent for a moment before he whispered a barely audible, “Yes.”

I dropped a kiss on his forehead and ruffled his hair. “I’m glad to hear it. Eat before it gets cold, and then we’ll have a lie-down.”

“All right, Babbo. I be a good boy.”

“You’re always a good boy, sunshine.”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

LEVI

After lunch, Nico lay down for a nap. He tried to tell me it was unnecessary because he wasn’t tired at all. But after starting a story about mice and creaking noises from the people above them, he was asleep before I finished the book, so that was clearly a fib. The good news was that it gave me time to get some work done.

Unfortunately, after running out earlier, I had emails and voicemails piling up. Most of the things could be handled remotely, but there were a few appointments that I’m certain were going to leave at least one partner pissed. Family takes priority, and Nico felt like mine. He might not agree with me, and I didn’t need his permission to feel how I felt, but it sure as hell would be nice if he felt the same.

Jack

Hey, I wanted to give you a heads-up that Mr. Weatherly was here and just left.

Levi

Did he say what he wanted?

Jack

No, he just went into your office, slammed the door, and left with a couple of files.

Levi

What the fuck! He didn’t tell you which ones?

Jack

When I asked, I said it was so we could keep track of the files, but he told me to mind my own goddamn business.

Levi

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