Page 31 of Just One More Moment

Remy stood as well and said goodbye to Caleb.

Once her brother had left, Remy turned to face her. “Dinner with your nephew, huh?”

“Think you can handle it?” she teased, feeling lighter than she had since Cassandra had shown up.

“If you’re going to be there, I know I can.”

Chapter Eleven

Remy and Ravenwent straight from work to the restaurant in Brooklyn because Owen ate dinner early. It wasn’t a long trip and Remy drove them in his car.

He’d never been to the Harlem Shake restaurant before but he discovered they had another establishment at 124thStreet in Harlem, uptown. And after eating there, he understood the appeal for kids. The décor was 1950s diner chic, with a lot of chrome and swirling stools that Owen had a blast using.

Letting him order a root beer float kept him busy slurping and playing with the straw while the grown-ups talked. Early in the meal, Raven seemed uneasy, glancing around and looking over her shoulder. Remy already had an eye out for anyone or anything unusual, but his instincts hadn’t buzzed with awareness. Still, he could sense her discomfort.

Caleb was smart and steered the conversation away from his mother and brother and onto other things, and soon Raven had settled down and was focused on her nephew.

“Hey, buddy. Can I have a sip of your float?”

Owen’s lips turned down in a pout. “But I only have a drop left. See?” He pointed to the tall glass which was still half full.

Matching his pout by pursing her lips, Raven folded her arms across her chest. “But I don’t have any more water and I’m thirsty.” She met the little boy’s gaze in a staring contest Remy had no doubt she’d win.

“Owen, what did I say about sharing?” Caleb asked in a calm, easy dad-like voice. It reminded Remy of his father’s way of admonishing his kids without yelling.

“Fine.” Owen’s bottom lip pushed out even farther.

Grinning, Raven took her own straw and stuck it into the drink and took a long sip. The straw was clear and it was obvious to the grown-ups, at least, she hadn’t pulled up any liquid, saving it all for her nephew.

“Yum!” she said, as she lifted her head. “Best root beer float ever. Thank you so much for sharing. You’re the man!” She held up her hand for a high five, which Owen gladly gave, smacking her hand with his, grinning the entire time, his upset already forgotten.

“Want to share my fries?” She pushed her plate full of French fries loaded with cheese toward him.

The kid had been eyeing them since they’d been delivered to the table. “Yes! I forgot to ask Dad if I could have them with my burger. You’re the best, Aunt Raven!”

He went to town on the fries, leaving the adults grinning at one another and Remy amazed at her way with children.

On the drive home, he said as much.

She shrugged. “Owen makes it easy. He’s a really good kid.”

He glanced at her profile. God, she was beautiful, with her delicate profile, porcelain skin, and plush lips. “Do you ever think about having children of your own?” he asked, keeping conversation light.

She spun to face him. “And how would that work?” she asked in a bitter tone. “I’d be giving Lance another target, for one thing. And what if he tried something and I had to pick up and leave town? How easy would that be with a kid?” She pulled in a shaky breath. “No, Remy, I’ve never thought about having kids of my own,” she said as she did a full-body turn and stared out the passenger-side window.

Fuck. So much for light conversation, he thought, his stomach cramping at his carelessly asked question and her pain-filled words.

“I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry.”

She sighed and turned back toward him. “It’s fine. I just… yeah, I’d like kids. I just don’t see it in the cards for me,” she said, and was silent for the rest of the trip.

The quiet that followed gave him time to think about their evening. Raven had a good time with her brother but until she’d focused on Owen, she’d been nervous and jittery.

“Was something wrong earlier?” he asked, breaking the stillness and silence.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

He thought back to the crowded restaurant and the way she’d been craning her neck and looking around. He hadn’t said anything at the time because any question would lead to a discussion of Lance and Remy hadn’t wanted to upset Caleb’s son.

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