Page 42 of Forever

“It was a nickname for Isabella. Not many people know it.”

He beamed at me. “Deal. And you can stay home as long as you want,” he said. “I’ll keep you and Mr. Jacob safe, I promise.”

I believed him. I felt tears welling in my eyes. I hated that people were cruel to him. He was one of the kindest people I’d ever met.

“Now, let’s spice up this sauce!” He poured an entire bottle of chili flakes into his hand and hopped off the counter.

He was as bad as Jacob was with sprinkles. And I didn’t know if Matt would like itthatspicy…

Chapter 11

Friday – One Week Later

Matt

I didn’t understand why Brooklyn wouldn’t leave the house. But it didn’t matter whether I understood it or not. All that mattered was that I gave her what she needed.

Pushing her certainly hadn’t helped. Ever since I talked to James, I understood what I’d done wrong. I hadn’t mentioned leaving the house once for over a week. I’d been trying to think of things that would make me feel better. Instead of what she needed. But I could give her this. Ilovedthis.

“Matt, those pieces are huge,” Brooklyn said and grabbed the knife out of my hand. “They need to be half the size. At least.” She cut one of the pieces of bell pepper in half that I’d already cut. “Like that.”

“I don’t know if I should trust your cooking skills after you tried to poison me last week.”

She laughed and handed me the knife back. “I told you that was all Nigel. He said you liked it spicy.”

He would.I started cutting again. “I still don’t understand why you let Nigel anywhere near our food. He can’t be trusted around anything like that. Especially beverages.”

She laughed. “He’s a really great cook usually. I’m sorry about that sauce though.” She leaned a little closer to me. “It really was too spicy,” she whispered.

“Why are we whispering?” I whispered back.

“Because he’s probably listening.”

“I’m taking down the security system.” I put the knife down.

“No.” She grabbed my hand. “I like it.”

I sighed. “Okay. At least we moved your painting into our bedroom so he can’t zoom in on it all day.”

Brooklyn laughed.

God I loved that sound. She was doing better. I could tell.

Jacob slid into the kitchen in his socks.

“Doesn’t that remind you a bit of our first Halloween?” I asked Brooklyn.

“If he takes off his pants and starts singing we’re in trouble.”

I laughed.

“Let me finish this up real quick,” she said and grabbed the knife back.

I pressed my lips together as I watched her expertly cut all my pieces in half. I was happy to be here with her and Jacob. But there was a small piece of me that was sad we were missing out on my parents’ Halloween party tonight. I was really hoping she’d come around. They’d been so looking forward to it.I’dbeen looking forward to it.

But staying home would be fun too.

“When is cena ready?” Jacob asked.

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