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“I put him in his playpen in the family room, but I can hear him shaking it with all his strength. Come on, Susan we’ll let him out.”
The chubby toddler with long dark curls and sky blue eyes reminded Susan of the picture in Royce’s bedroom. He was a miniature of his uncle. Susan bent and picked him up, pressing him against her, hoping to hold her own baby eventually, a similar baby with Royce’s blue eyes.
Susan giggled at the baby. “You’re so cute. What’s your name, baby boy?”
“Simon Steven. Simon, like my grandfather and Steven, like Matt’s dad. We call him Sy. It’s short and easy.”
“How’s Mia doing?”
“She’s a junior in college, and doing great. I’ll never thank you enough for saving my daughter from her problems. She’s still dating Cody, the boy she met at your Youth Club. He’s in premed in Northwestern, and she’s majoring in English like her father.”
“Talking about the Youth Club, Royce is encouraging me to start it again.”
“Yes, you should. I’m ready to help you, too. By the way, I’m glad to see you and Royce together, finally.”
“Not officially, Brenda. I’m still engaged to a Thai man.”
“No way. Engaged for eight years. Can’t he get the message you don’t want him?”
“He got it, and moved me over to his youngest brother three years ago. It’s a mess, Brenda.”
“I can’t believe Royce is doing nothing about it. After you left, he was desperate, never staying more than a month or two with the same woman. I don’t understand how he keeps away from you.”
“He doesn’t. Not anymore.” Susan chuckled, completely trusting her friend. “I know he loves me and has proved it enough.”
“So why are you waiting to break the engagement?”
Susan sat on the rocking chair, bouncing Sy on her lap.
“Kasem and I have set December first as a deadline for us to get married. Royce knows that, but insists I should wait until then and not mess up things.”
Brenda frowned, looking the professional psychologist.
“Does he know something you don’t?”
“Maybe. Kasem is his roommate, and they’ve become good friends.”
“Hmm, I don’t like that. Knowing Royce, he wouldn’t betray a friend’s trust.”
“Exactly. I suspect Kasem is seeing another woman. I thought of confronting him and seizing the opportunity to break the engagement, but Royce opposes my decision. What should I do, Brenda?”
“If Royce opposes your decision, he must have a good reason. Maybe he’s waiting for his roommate to get seriously involved with the other woman before acting. You said you love Royce, why don’t you trust him, Susan?”
“I do.” Her heart sank at Brenda’s reproving gaze. “I’ve never loved another man, never trusted anyone else.”
“Then follow his lead.”
Brenda was a reputable psychologist who’d counseled her share of confused patients.
“Thank you, Brenda. I will stop questioning him.” At least until December first.
“Let’s join the men. They’re warming the food, but I don’t want Matt to burn my dinner.” She chuckled, but Sy screamed. “You want a bottle, baby Sy?”
Amazing how a young mother made sense of her baby’s cries. Brenda took her son from Susan and led her to the kitchen. Ten minutes later, Sy drifted off with the bottle in his mouth, and she laid him in his bed.
“Dinner is ready.”
Susan relaxed and enjoyed dinner with her best friends the way she had three years ago. Life had been so simple when she’d been a student. Yet at the time, she’d remained loyal to the man they’d called her fiancé. When he betrayed her she should have refused his lousy deal, opposed her father. How could she when the whole family blackmailed her with his illness?
