“Have you ever been in a Wal-Mart?” Kelsey hollered, coming in the room and dropping bags on the floor. “That place was a madhouse. I felt like I stepped into some alternate universe where banana clips and blue eye shadow are still in style. And Jesus, what’s with all the big hair? I’m surprised I made it out alive! Half those women looked like they could eat me for supper! And I swear, I saw a minivan in the parking lot with one of those honor student bumper stickers, and the woman driving had on . . .” She glanced over, her words faltering when she spotted Corrado. “. . . Mom jeans. Hello, there.”
“Hello,” Corrado replied. “I’ll let you ladies get back to your work.”
He strolled away, stepping outside as he pulled out his phone.
“Personal bodyguard?” Kelsey asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Is this like the Bodyguard movie, steamy affair included?”
“No. I told you, it’s nothing like that.”
“Pity.” She shrugged and started digging through the bags, setting up the snack table. They ordered pizza and Haven fixed the punch when people arrived, the children excitedly running in while their caretakers lingered off to the side. Some didn’t even bother to stay, instead dropping the children off at the curb.
Corrado stuck around for the party, watching warily, so quiet and stoic most barely noticed his presence. Others, however, cast him suspicious looks as they kept their distance. Haven smiled, realizing they likely thought the same thing Kelsey had—he was a police officer.
It was chaotic with so many kids running around, and Haven did her best to keep everything under control as they held a ceremony and handed out certificates. When it was over and time to go, Haven gave each kid a hug, telling them the same words that had been spoken to her at their age. Words she had lost focus of in the midst of all the heartache, but words both Maura and her mother had wholeheartedly believed.
“Never lose hope,” she said. “You’re special and meant to do great things in the world. I believe in you.”
Kelsey offered to walk one of the kids home as Haven cleaned up the mess. She could sense Corrado’s eyes on her but ignored him the best she could, trying to finish what she needed to do.
Corrado cleared his voice. “Were you attached?”
“To what?”
“Those children.”
“Yes,” Haven said quietly. “They reminded me of myself.”
“Strange how those things work. Doesn’t matter where you go—there will always be someone.” Haven nodded and reached for the large black trash bag, but Corrado grabbed it. “I’ll get this for you.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled. “The Dumpster is out back.”
Haven finished cleaning up and grabbed her things before heading for the parking lot, finding Corrado’s empty rental car parked by the door. She started around the building to see if he was still at the Dumpster. She froze when she saw him behind the parking lot with a man, the driver’s side door open on a black car with New York tags. The man had his back to her, so she couldn’t see his face, but his body language told her it wasn’t just casual conversation.
The man climbed in the car after a second, tires squealing as he sped out of the opposite side of the parking lot.
Corrado approached. “Do you need a ride?”
“I can walk,” she said. “It’s just a few blocks.”
“Nonsense.” He waved her off dismissively. “Get in the car.”
Corrado didn’t speak at all during the drive. Not long after they arrived, someone showed up to change the locks on the brownstone.
“I have some things to handle, and I need to get some sleep,” Corrado said, handing Haven a new set of keys. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow to make it to the wedding.”
Wedding? “Someone’s getting married?”
“Dominic and Tess,” Corrado said, eyeing her peculiarly. “Didn’t you receive your invitation?”
She shook her head slowly. “No. I had no idea.”
His expression flickered, a frown on his lips. “I must’ve forgotten to send it. There’s still time, though, if you’d like to send a gift. I’ll stop by in the morning before I leave to pick it up, if you want to go get something.”
“Okay,” she said, not knowing how to respond to that. “Thanks, I guess.”
“I suppose you’re welcome,” he responded. “Have a good evening, kid.”
21