Espresso Express was crowded. After getting her coffee (black because caramel and whipped cream in coffee just seemed wrong to her), Veronica found a table in the back. She wanted to mentally prepare herself for the day ahead. Her new job was easy and Veronica was grateful to have it after being unemployed for so long but it was pretty boring.
"Good morning," a familiar voice said. Instantly, Veronica felt her mouth go dry. What was Ron Schuyler doing slumming at the Espresso Express? "Mind if I join you?"
It made her sick to realize how attracted she still was to this man. The twenty-year plus version of Ron was even more attractive than he'd been when he was in his thirties and every time she saw him her palms started to sweat and she felt like she was going to faint. "How are you, Veronica?"
Even his voice got to her. Deep, smooth and oh, so sexy. Do not do this, Veronica ordered herself. This is the man who ruined your life, remember?
But Veronica wasn't so sure if that was true. Yes, Ron had hurt her but he'd also given her Kirk and she couldn't imagine life without her son. "I'm fine. How are you?"
Ron looked at her with his penetrating sky blue eyes. "Confused."
Veronica swallowed. "About what?"
"Life in general, I guess." Ron took a sip of his coffee and Veronica noticed that it appeared to be overflowing with whipped cream, caramel and melted chocolate. "You in particular."
"Me? Why would you be confused about me? Why would you even think about me?" Veronica couldn't tell if Ron was playing her or not. She suspected not. Ron Schuyler was many things but smart enough to toy with someone else wasn't one of them.
"Seeing you again has made me think about a lot of things and it's also made me regret a lot of the things I've done. I behaved like a heel, Veronica. I'll never be able to make that up to you but I would like to help now. I'd also like to meet our son."
Veronica stared. Ron appeared to be sincere, a character trait she'd never before associated with him. Although she'd been waiting for Ron to ask about Kirk, she was surprised how frightened she felt at the thought of Ron and Kirk being in the same room together. But wasn't this what she'd come back to Schuyler Square for? To tie up all the loose knots in her life and see if there wasn't time enough to start over again? "I know Kirk would like to meet you," she said.
"We'd have to be discreet, of course," Ron quickly replied. "I mean, I don't think I should throw a dinner for him at the club or anything like that."
"Perhaps we could meet at the Holiday Inn," Veronica suggested. "Just like the old days."
"Now, Veronica, don't get mad. Please understand that I have a lot of other people to consider."
"You always have. Your wife, your children, your friends." Veronica forced herself to drop the sarcastic tone from her voice. "Ron, I know it won't be easy and to tell you the truth, I'm not at all sure if I want to broadcast the fact that Kirk's your son either. I'm thinking of staying in Schuyler Square and it might be a lot simpler if you two met but we kept your relationship quiet."
Relief flooded Ron's face. "I always knew you were a sensible woman."
"Hello, Mr. Schuyler, hi, Veronica."
Veronica's and Ron's heads swung up in unison. Chelsea Van Husen was seated at the table next to theirs. Chelsea worked at Schuyler Industries with Veronica. Veronica liked her but she instantly wondered how much her co-worker had heard. "Hi, Chelsea," she said. Ron nodded coolly.
A tall blond man joined Chelsea. Veronica recognized him as Peter, Chelsea's husband, from the large photo Chelsea kept on her desk. Glancing at Ron, she was surprised to see that he was staring at Peter as if he knew him. "I should go," Ron said. "Enjoy your coffee, Veronica. We'll talk more about this...project later."
"We can walk out together," Veronica suggested. No way was she going to let Ron worm out from setting up a firm date to meet Kirk. The man had been avoiding their son long enough.
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