Page 55 of Second Chance with Seth

All I have to do is trust him.

It sounds easy, doesn’t it?

It always used to be. When we first met, trusting him was like breathing, or walking, or sleeping. It was second nature. Now, I feel as though it’s something I need to learn, and that feels all wrong.

That feels like the biggest barrier of all.

The door opens yet again, even though there’s only ten minutes until we’re due to close, and I let out a sigh, turning around and smiling when I see Seth walk in.

“Three times in one day?” Owen murmurs as he passes me, on his way to clear some tables, and I narrow my eyes at him, although I’m still smiling.

“We’re having dinner together upstairs, if you must know.”

He raises his eyebrows. “His idea, or yours?”

“Mine. I said he could help me put River to bed, too. So, I’m not putting up as many barriers as you think.”

“Good for you,” he says, and heads for table two, as Seth approaches and I turn to face him.

“Sorry I’m a little early,” he says. “I got bored waiting.”

“That’s okay.”

He glances around. “Can I help with anything?”

“No, it’s…” I stop talking, realizing I’m in danger of pushing him away again… or at least appearing to. “You could clear the cups on table six, if you like?”

“I can, if you tell me which one is table six?”

“The one at the front in the corner.”

He turns, checking it out, then nods his head. “Okay.” He gives me a wink, and goes over, picking up the cups, which he carries through to the kitchen, returning within moments and coming straight up to me.

“Did you know our daughter’s awake?” he says.

“No.” I look up at him, feeling guilty. “She can’t just be lying in her cot. That would be unheard of.”

“She’s not. Sandra’s got her.”

“Why didn’t she call me?”

I dash through the swing door to find Lyla cleaning down the countertops and Sandra holding my daughter, jigging around the kitchen with her.

“Why didn’t you call?” I repeat and Sandra spins around.

“Because I felt like having a cuddle,” she says, smiling down at River, who seems perfectly content. I’m suddenly aware of Seth standing right behind me, and I look up into his eyes, which are focused on River, just as Owen comes through the swing door, barging into us.

“Sorry,” Seth says, coming to his senses. “This wasn’t the most sensible place for us to stand.”

“Don’t worry,” Owen replies, glancing around and taking in the situation. “Why don’t you guys take your daughter and head upstairs? I’ve already put the ‘closed’ sign up, so it’s not like we’re gonna get any new customers, and I can easily take care of what’s left to be done and lock up before I leave.”

“No, it’s fine. We’ll…”

“Thanks. That’s really…”

Seth and I both speak at the same time, and then he turns to me, and although everyone is watching, he puts his hands on my waist and pulls me close to him.

“Take the help, babe,” he says, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You don’t have to do everything yourself.”

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