Eden lived by the motto: Forewarned is forearmed. And this felt like one of those times when she needed to be armed. For what, she didn't know, but if she refused to go to dinner, her father would give her a lecture about being selfish and how everything he did was for her and her future.
She hoped he didn't plan on bringing up her taking over the company someday. She didn't want this company. Or any other company, for that matter. Honestly, she didn't know what she wanted, but it wasn't this.
She'd never particularly enjoyed her job, but her unrest had been nearly unbearable since her best friend Kennedy got engaged and made her move to the small town of Providence permanent.
He waved a dismissive hand. "You'll see when you get there." Not waiting for Eden to leave, he picked up his briefcase and headed toward the door. "Dress nice."
Eden stood there for several seconds staring after her father. Oliver DuPont was always assertive and decisive in his business and in his personal life. She had never seen him act evasive and cryptic.
That man is up to something.
A heaviness filled her stomach, and her heart rate slowed, as if the effort to dispel the foreboding feeling that swept over her was just too much.
So much for a relaxing Friday night.
Ninety minutes later, when she walked into the sitting room of her childhood home, she echoed that sentiment.
It was all she could do to not cringe when she spotted Tristan Jordain seated on the loveseat in the formal living room, drink in hand. Her heart plummeted. Any surprise involving Tristan was not a pleasant one. No wonder her father wouldn't meet her gaze this afternoon.
Tristan gave her a slow, lingering appraisal, letting his gaze remain on her bust line for far too long. "Looking good, Eden."
A creepy crawly sensation skittered across her skin as it did every time she was around the playboy son of the tech billionaire they often did business with. Everything about Tristan rubbed her wrong.
"Ah here you are, finally." Her dad sprang to his feet.
Eden checked her rhinestone studded watch. She was only three minutes late, but if her father had been entertaining Tristan for more than a few minutes, she could understand why he was so eager for her arrival.
She scowled, first at Tristan then her father, making no attempt to hide her displeasure. "No wonder you wouldn't tell me who your dinner guest was." Although she said the words quietly, she didn't care if Tristan overheard her. It was no secret she didn't like him.
Dad took her elbow and pulled her further into the room. "Tristan and I... Well,hehas an important matter to discuss with you tonight."
"An important matter?" Eden's voice was flat.
She doubted Tristan could hold an intelligent conversation about anything truly worthwhile that lasted more than five minutes. The man was only ever worried about where the next party was and which woman he'd be taking home for the night.
"A proposal...uh, I mean business proposition." Dad spoke again since Tristan made no effort to.
Eden turned to find the playboy studying her backside. She rolled her eyes.
Letting sarcasm fill her voice, she said, "I can't wait."
She was saved from learning more about theimportant matterwhen Helen, her dad's housekeeper and Eden's former nanny, walked in to inform them dinner was ready.
Helen wrapped Eden in a tight hug. "How are you doing, sweet girl?"
Eden tensed.
Helen had hugged her many times over the years, but never in front of a guest. Despite being with their family for as long as Eden could remember and living in an apartment over the garage, she always remained proper and formal when her dad entertained.
So why did Helen hug her so tight tonight?
Eden forced a smile. "I get to eat your cooking tonight, so I'm great."
"I made your favorite dessert."
"Mmm..." Eden's mouth watered at the thought of Helen's chocolate mousse cheesecake.
Helen ushered them into the dining room, and Eden's footsteps faltered when she spotted the Waterford crystal and Noritake bone China adorning the table. Usually when her father entertained only a few guests who were close friends they used the everyday Royal Albert China. Not that she considered Tristan a close friend. He was more of an irritating nuisance who just kept turning up.
