“Just got back to my parents’ house. I’m on the porch.” He moves the phone in a way to show off his surroundings. There are manicured lawns and expensive SUVs in most driveways and houses lined up in neat little rows. The sun looks to be setting where he is, painting the sky a soft pink and orange. The house in question looks lovely, the epitome of suburban life.
Eden laughs. “I believe you. How are things? With your parents, I mean.”
“Good, actually. Better than I thought. Wait. What time is it? Aren’t you supposed to be at the restaurant right now?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got time.”
“You should go home before you catch a chill. I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Aww, you worried about me?”
“Always.”
“What happened, Eden?”
“I don’t want to stress you out.”
“Youdounderstand that not telling me stresses me out more, right?”
Eden takes a deep breath. “I told Sebastian I wasn’t going to take his offer. He wasn’t very happy about it.”
“And then what happened?”
“Well, then he brought Hector in and—”
“Hector?”
“Yeah.”
“What the fuck?”
“I’m...” Eden shakes her head. “Hector found out. That I didn’t go to culinary school. I don’t know if he had any hard proof, but I was so stunned that I didn’t deny it. I just kind of left after that.”
“Oh, Eden, are you okay?”
“Yeah, as weird as that might sound. I’m just tired.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know how important that job was to you.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m sure I’ll land on my feet.”
“I should be there with you.”
“No. I don’t want you to worry about me.”
“I always worry about you.”
Behind him, Eden can see the front door to the house swing open, a flood of golden light pouring out onto the porch. She can just make out the silhouette of an older woman.
“I thought I heard you out here,” the woman says. “Who are you talking to?”
“Eden,” Alexander answers.
“Oh, I want to meet her. Let me see!”
“No need to grab, A-Ma!”
