Page 76 of Second Chance with Seth

“I have.”

I take River from him, only now realizing that he’s still wearing his robe, which is gaping more than slightly, my eyes wandering, which he clearly notices, as he pulls me close to him.

“I should get dressed, so I can head back to the hotel and put on some clean clothes,” he says, and I lean back, looking up at him.

“You could shower here, if you want.”

He smiles. “Thanks, but my clothes are all at the hotel, so it’s probably easier to go back there.”

“Okay. As long as you’re sure… although you’ll come back for breakfast, won’t you?”

“Of course,” he says, placing his hand on the back of my neck and bending his head until our lips meet in a bruising kiss. He keeps it brief, knowing I have no time, and then he releases me.

“Can you lock up?” I call, heading for the door.

“Sure. I’ve got a key, after all.”

I glance back at him, smiling as he winks at me, and then I dash down the stairs, River cradled in my arm. It’s a lovely sunny day, and I close the door behind us, turning to see that Owen is already outside the coffee shop, fumbling in his pocket for his keys.

“I’ve got mine,” I call, and he turns to face me, a smile forming on his lips.

“Did your human alarm clock fail again?” he says, reaching out and caressing River’s cheek as I put the key in the lock and turn it.

“Something like that.”

I let us both in, and while Owen switches on the lights and goes over to the counter, firing up the barista machine, I wander through to the kitchen, where I’m greeted by Sandra, who’s just taking her coat off. There’s no sign of Lyla yet, but she’ll be here, and as Sandra brushes a hand over River’s head, Owen joins us.

“You’re looking very pleased,” Sandra says, and I glance at Owen before I realize she’s talking to me.

“Especially considering you overslept.” Owen moves closer, tipping his head at me and raising his eyebrows.

“That’s not like you,” Sandra says.

“It is when River keeps changing her sleep pattern,” I point out.

“Babies do that, I believe.”

I smile at her. “So I’m discovering. I mean… look at her. She’s as bright as a button. How on earth am I supposed to get anything done?”

“This was always gonna happen,” Sandra says, shrugging her shoulders. “But we’ll work around it.”

“How?”

“I can set up out front,” Owen says.

“And I’ll take care of things back here.”

“And what am I supposed to do?” I ask, looking from Sandra to Owen, both of them grinning at me.

“You’ll work it out,” she says, and spins around, grabbing her apron from the hook, and pulling it on over her head.

Owen’s already disappeared through the swing door, and I’m left feeling superfluous. It’s not the most comfortable sensation, and I wish I’d brought down River’s baby carrier, so I could have strapped her to my front, and been of more use. But rather than standing around doing nothing, I follow Owen, feeling sure there must be something I can do… even if I’ve only got one free hand.

“Did you have a good evening?” he asks, as I glance around, and I turn to face him.

“I had a good night, thanks,” I say, wandering over to him.

“I’m not sure I needed to know that, but I’m pleased things worked out okay.” He rolls his eyes upward toward the apartment. “Is he still here?”

---