Page 18 of Seduction

“Sorry. Didn’t know you have an old man, either. It was nice meeting you, Ellen.”

He’s gone before I can correct him. I look down at my hand, finding my engagement ring still on my finger. I didn’t even realize I still wear it.

No wonder I can’t get a guy to even talk to me.

“Shit,” Gage mumbles next to me.

“What is it?”

“Krueger’s here.”

“Krueger? The national president?”

“One and the same. I gotta go, shorty. You need anything let me know.”

He walks off before I can even begin to tell him off for blocking me with Steele.

Probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway.

Leaving my place at the bar, I return to Gage’s room to collect Mikey. It’s best I just get out of here. As I’m about to pick Mikey up, Einstein walks in.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine. I just think it’s time to go home.”

“Come on. I’ll follow you.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I insist.

“I know. I want to.”

I watch him lift the sleeping child, cradling him in his arms. All I can think is that it should be Eddie. Mikey has always known who his father is; there are pictures of Eddie on his bedroom wall, and all over the house. I try to explain death to him as best I can when he has questions. Sometimes, he seems to understand, other times…. All he knows is his father isn’t here.

Pushing the emotions back, I pick up Mikey’s overnight bag, turn off the baby monitors, and head for the door. However, I remember the other sleeping child in the room a few doors down, and take them with me.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell Einstein.

“I’ll be here.”

I slowly push the door open, not wanting to wake the baby. Janet sits up, brushing her shiny brown hair out of her face.

“El.”

“I’m leaving. I just thought you could use this. You should go out there. Hang out a little.”

Climbing out of bed, she takes them from me with a smile.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I turn to leave, but her voice stops me. “You think we could get together tomorrow? Have a drink or something?”

“Maybe,” I answer as I walk through the door.

I find Einstein waiting patiently, right where I left him.

“Ready?” he asks.