Chapter 183 I Love Kids
I forced a smile and shook my head. "Helen, Max is great. Really. He's kind, successful, and has a good heart. But we're not compatible."
"Not compatible?" Helen's voice rose sharply. "What do you mean not—"
I cut her off gently, pulling out my shield. "I have Jack. That complicates things."
"So what if you have a son?" Helen's voice grew louder, more insistent. "It's not like you have a—" She paused mid-sentence, seeming to realize how ridiculous she sounded, then actually laughed at herself. "Well, I was about to say grandson, but that would be—"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Helen, please don't say that in front of Max."
Helen huffed, but her eyes softened. "I'm just worried about him."
I squeezed her hand. "Listen, Helen. You've been so good to us. But you need to let Max make his own choices about relationships and marriage. Your job now is to take care of yourself—eat well, sleep well, go to the park with your friends, play cards at the community center, catch a movie now and then. Live your life comfortably, you know?"
"As for Max, he's a grown man. Whether it's his career or his love life, I'm sure he has his own ideas. You really don't need to worry so much. If you stress yourself out and your health suffers, that's what will make him worry about you."
Helen's expression softened. She reached up and gently pinched my cheek. "You're right, my dear."
The mention of Max made me remember something. "Helen, last time Max came home... those men who were at your place. The tall one who looks so much like Jack. Are they Max's friends?"
Helen's face lit up. "Oh, you mean Ethan and his crew? They're Max's business partners."
Speak of the devil.
"Mrs. Morrison."
I turned.
Ethan stood there in dark jeans and a black cashmere sweater. He gave me a slight nod. "Ms. Reed."
I managed a nod back.
Jack broke away from my hand and launched himself at Ethan's leg. "Uncle Ethan!"
Helen's gaze bounced between us, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "Oh, so you two already know each other?"
"Not really," I said quickly.
"Very well," Ethan said at the exact same moment.
Helen's smile widened.
Ethan's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "We... met a long time ago. Briefly."
I forced myself to sound casual. "I was in college in LA. Saw Mr. Bennett a few times. Barely counts as knowing each other."
Ethan's eyes locked on mine, and something dangerous flickered in them. "Those few times left quite an impression on me."
My breath caught.
Helen, bless her oblivious heart, laughed delightedly. "Well, isn't that fate! Small world!" She paused, her matchmaker instincts clearly kicking into overdrive. "Ethan, dear, are you married?"
"No, ma'am. No wife. Not even a girlfriend at the moment."
"Oh?" Helen leaned forward conspiratorially. "What's your type, then?"
Ethan's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. His gaze slid to me, lingering with deliberate intent. "Someone like Ms. Reed here. Same height, same appearance, same personality. Ideally exactly like Ms. Reed, actually."
Helen made a disappointed sound. "Ah, what a shame. Olivia already has a child, you see."
Ethan's eyes never left mine. When he spoke, his voice was low, almost intimate. "Children don't bother me at all, Mrs. Morrison. In fact, I love kids."
My vision blurred suddenly, memories of a tiny life lost flooding back. I blinked rapidly, forcing the moisture back.
I turned away. "Helen, we should go eat. I'm starving."
"Oh! Yes, of course." Helen stood, gathering her purse. "Ethan, have you eaten? Would you like to join us?"
My head whipped around so fast my neck cracked. I shot Ethan a look that could've cut glass—Don't you dare.
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Morrison, but I've already eaten. You ladies enjoy your meal."
Helen smiled. "Alright then. We'll see you around!"
---
The restaurant was only a five-minute walk from Helen's building. We strolled slowly, Helen chatting about her garden and the new community center classes while I held Jack's hand.
Inside, we ordered comfort food—grilled cheese for Jack, a Caesar salad for Helen, and a burger for me that I wasn't sure I could actually eat.
While we waited for the food to arrive, Helen folded her hands on the table and gave me a knowing look. "So. Ethan."
"Hmm?" I took a long sip of water.
"Is he pursuing you?"
I nearly choked. "What? No. He's just... friendly."
Helen raised one perfectly groomed eyebrow. "Sweetheart, that man didn't look 'friendly' to me. He looked interested."
"You're reading too much into it."
"Am I?" She leaned forward. "Olivia, be honest with me. Do you two have history?"
"We know each other," I said carefully. "From years ago. But we were never close."
"Uh-huh." Helen didn't look convinced. "Because the way he looked at you—"
Our food arrived, saving me from having to answer. I busied myself cutting Jack's sandwich into small pieces, grateful for the distraction.
---
Outside Helen's building, we headed to the small playground in the courtyard. Jack immediately ran to the swing set, and I pushed him gently, watching him kick his legs and laugh.
Helen had gone to meet her book club friends at the community center across the street. I could see the building's lit windows from here.
I was debating whether to let Jack try the monkey bars when he suddenly stopped swinging and tugged on my sleeve.
"Mommy."
"Hmm?"
"There was a man watching me." His voice was small, uncertain. "Just now."
My blood ran cold. I crouched down to his eye level immediately. "Where, baby? Where is he?"
"He left." Jack pointed vaguely toward the parking lot. "He was over there."
"What did he look like?"
Jack's face scrunched up in thought. He was only four—descriptions weren't his strong suit. "Um... he was wearing a hat."
My heart hammered against my ribs. Human traffickers? A predator? My mind raced through horrible possibilities.
"Jack, we're going home. Right now."