Want You Back - River Laurent Page 0,57

my hips just a bit more than usual.

“I’ve just put Kayden down for his nap,” I said while pouring Alex some coffee. “He sleeps for about an hour and a half. I’ve stuck his schedule on the fridge.” I was rambling.

“We’ll be fine, don’t worry,” he said.

I liked his reassuring quiet confidence. I let out a breath and sipped my coffee. “The diapers are on the changing table in his room. I can’t think of anything else but he’s an easy kid.”

“And you’re only a phone call away,” he said, pointing at phone numbers I’d stuck on the fridge.

Both were for the diner. I blushed at how psychotic I must have appeared to Alex. “That’s just in case I don’t hear my cell phone ringing.”

“I doubt that very much,” he said.

I drained the last of my coffee and carried my cup to the sink. “I have to go. Thanks for doing this.”

I was a second away from crying.

He waved me away. “You’re welcome. It can’t be easy to be a single mom.”

With a shaky smile, I turned to leave. I peered at Kayden one more time, grabbed my handbag from my room and moved to the front door where Alex was waiting for me.

“Are you sure you don’t want to use my car?” he asked.

“No, I’m fine. Thanks.”

Charlotte

I should have been worried to have left my son with my ex-husband, whose capabilities of minding a toddler were questionable, but I wasn’t. I was at peace while I chopped up vegetables and started the stews for the lunch time special.

As I worked, I experienced one of those moments of unexplained happiness and gratitude for my life. I loved my job. I enjoyed the creations we prepared which our customers enjoyed.

It was humbling to know that we were one of the most successful establishments in town and that people came from far and wide to eat at the diner. As I worked, my mind drifted to Alex and Kayden and a nice feeling swept over me.

Father and son were finally together and getting to know each other. As with all days in the diner, the day passed by in a whirlwind of activity, except for a small lull at four thirty. I texted Alex and he responded immediately, letting me know that they were fine.

Half an hour before my shift was to end, Lulu came to the kitchen as I was washing up my knives to let me know that someone was asking after me. Curious, I rinsed them off and followed her to the seating area.

As soon as I saw the silky red hair, I clamped a hand to my mouth and stifled a scream. Amy. She was facing away from me and when I got closer and stopped by her side, she glanced up and her eyes flooded with tears.

With a cry, she shot to her feet and grabbed me into a hug. We clung to each other, and just sobbed. No words could express the joy I felt at seeing my best friend again.

“I should punch you,” she said when we finally drew apart.

“I deserve it,” I said, sliding into the opposite seat. I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand and squinted as I peered into Amy’s face.

She had kept one of my hands between hers and still hadn’t let go. “I’m too happy to be mad though. I thought I’d never see you again. You just disappeared into thin air.”

“I’m truly sorry,” I said. “At the time, it seemed like the only option I had.”

She cocked her head to one side. “You haven’t changed much.”

“Neither have you. Tell me everything,” I said. “Are you married?”

A glint came into her eyes. “About to.” She raised her left hand to reveal a gorgeous engagement ring, sparkling with diamonds. “We found each other in time. I’m getting married in two weeks.”

“Oh wow!” I said. “Congratulations! That’s so pretty. What’s his name?”

“Ben Fox. He’s great and I can’t wait for you to meet him,” she said.

Silence enveloped us as we stared at each other. The elephant between us grew bigger until Amy spoke.

“What happened Charlotte? Why did you run away? What were you running away from?”

A lump formed in my throat and I couldn’t speak. I’d never thought of what I’d done as running away but that’s what it had been. I’d been running away from my future life, not wanting to burden Alex or my friends with my problem. But they had found me now.

I had managed