Page 24 of Second Chance with Seth
“Okay. What about tomorrow afternoon? Can I assume you still close the coffee shop at noon?”
“Yes.”
“Then can I see you at, say, two?”
“You’re gonna drive back here?” I ask, although it’s not that unexpected. As he once told me, Concord is hardly the other side of the world. I suppose I’m just surprised he’s so willing to put himself out.
“No. I’ve booked myself into the hotel. I’m staying here.”
I’m even more surprised now, although it’s a short-lived sensation, as I’m quickly reminded of the weekend after we first met, when he arrived here out of the blue and checked into the hotel. Is he trying to recreate that perfect moment in time? Or is he just trying to show me how committed he is to me… to us?
I shake my head, dismissing the idea. Staying here doesn’t prove he’s committed to anything. It just means he doesn’t want to keep driving back and forth. And as for recreating the past… we can’t do that.
Everything’s different now, even if he doesn’t know it.
“How long for?” I ask.
“I have to go back to work on Monday, but I decided to stay for the weekend because I want this to work, Everly. I know you’re busy, but I want us to have as much time together as we can… to work things out.”
I take it back. He certainly sounds committed, but I can’t respond to that. I can’t give him a reason to stay, either. Not until I’ve worked out what to say, and how to say it.
Instead, I just nod my head to show I’m not dismissing him, and then I pick up the cups, trying not to let it show that my hands are shaking. As we walk back to the counter, I’m aware of Seth, right behind me, and of Owen watching the two of us closely as we approach. I’m not sure that’ll help the situation, given Seth’s unusual and totally unfounded jealousy, but all I can do is put down the cups and turn to face him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says before I can utter a word.
“Okay.”
“Do you want to meet somewhere, or shall I…”
“Come to the apartment,” I say, and his eyes sparkle. He’s misinterpreted my invitation, little realizing that I just want to talk to him in private. Because, whether or not River is in the room with us, I don’t want to tell him he’s a father when we’re surrounded by other people. That’s far too personal a conversation to have in public.
“Okay,” he says. “I’ll see you then.”
I nod my head and for a moment, he just stares at me, his eyes dipping to my lips for a second or two before he raises them and lets out a sigh. I wonder if he wanted to kiss me then, and how I would have reacted if he did. The moment’s passed, though, and with a nod of his head, he turns and leaves. I wait, still like a statue, my nerves too frayed for words.
“Has he gone?” I whisper, loud enough for Owen to hear.
“Yes,” he says, looking up and checking along the sidewalk, and I collapse onto the stool beside me. Owen moves a little closer, leaning over the counter. “Can I ask you something?” he says, and I nod my head, although whether I’ll be able to answer is another matter. “Does your ex have a problem with me?”
“Why do you ask?”
“He kept glaring at me.”
I lean back slightly and shake my head. “He assumed we were together.”
He smiles. “I hope you put him right on that.”
“I told him it was none of his damn business, actually… because it’s not.”
“No,” Owen says, sounding doubtful. “But I think it might have been better if you’d told him the truth. Did you at least tell him about River?”
“No.” His eyes widen in surprise.
“Don’t tell me you spent the entire time having a pointless fight about me?”
“No, but I need some time to work out how I’m gonna tell him he’s a father. It’s not something I can just drop into a conversation, is it?”
“I guess not.” He steps away a little. “Is that why you’re seeing him tomorrow?”
