Then I laid my hand flat on the island.

“I shut off the burner because I’m done cooking for your family, Brandon.”

He just stood there holding a plate.

“Is there somebody else?” I asked.

“No, there isn’t.”

“Okay.”

Toby squirmed against my shoulder and let out a long, thoughtful noise, and then the smell hit both of us.

Brandon leaned in to look at him and then stood up straight again.