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It was wrong, and I promised Nate I wouldn’t. I just…couldn’t help it if only for a minute.
Laney appears in the doorway to the kitchen with a glass of water and a fleet of pills, no doubt time for Nate’s afternoon meds. “You okay?”
“Yes, fine.”
“You’re pacing.”
I plant my feet. “I suppose I am.”
Laney smiles and pats my shoulder as she passes me. “I’m going to get Nate ready for his afternoon rest.”
That’s her nice way of saying, “be prepared.”
“Sounds good.”
I watch her walk down the hall and then shake out all the nervousness in my hands. “Come on, Edwin. What are you afraid of? What are you worried about?”
The truth is, I have never in all my years done something as high stakes as this.
I’ve been in boardrooms and business meetings with the rich and powerful, seduced women, fathered children. And somehow, none of that measures up to the anxiety of this moment.
Gentle laughter and conversation comes from the other room.
Laney telling Sonia that time is up, she needs to get going.
Little does she know she’s walking into a conversation she wasn’t prepared to have.
That’s how life is sometimes, though. You can’t prepare for it.
Footsteps down the hall.
Sonia’s voice reaches me. “Yes, it was nice to meet you, too, I’m sure I’ll see you again.” Her voice is music to my ears as it echoes through my home. “Bye, Nate!”
I wait for her, watch the hall, and when she emerges, it takes my breath away.
It’s her day off, I remember. And that means she’s just in her normal, everyday clothes, a look I have seldom if ever seen her in.
Dark hair down over her shoulders, a loose T-shirt, stylish jeans, clean white sneakers.
Beautiful.
Her expression, though, the affable one she was wearing for Laney, sours.
“What are you doing here?”
I try to smile. “It’s my home.”
Sonia pulls on the strap of her purse. “You weren’t supposed to be here.”
“I know.”
“Then, why–”
“Nate thought we should talk.”
Her shoulders tighten. “I’ll murder him.”
“Please don’t, I have a vested interest in his survival.” I half chuckle.
