"I don't know. I hate to ask him to come, because that leaves only Alice to take care of Bill."
Come where?
"No, I haven't mentioned it to him yet. He's been pretty stressed with everything that's been going on." She paused for a moment, listening to her father. "I know. I promise I'll talk to him soon, but next week might be better." She paused for a moment. "I miss you too, Dad."
Rudy's eyes widened. Had she really told her father she missed him?
She ended the call, and he suddenly felt guilty for eavesdropping. He shifted his weight, trying to decide whether to fess up or walk away. The floorboard creaked under his foot, and Eden looked over her shoulder.
When she shot him one of those grins that made his heart race, he decided walking away wasn't possible.
"Was that your dad I heard you talking to?" He strolled into the kitchen and got himself a drink of water he didn't need and carried it to the table. He sat across from her.
"Yes."
"You didn't sound nearly as irritated as I expected."
"Things have changed. We've talked some things out." She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "I guess you could say we're trying to mend our relationship."
"That's good, right?"
If it was so good, why did his stomach clench at the thought of Eden getting along with her father?
Because if they get along too well, she might go back to working with her dad.
"What's changed?"
Was she planning to leave already?
"The whole Tristan thing imploded. He's surrounded by all kinds of negative press lately, and my dad realized we dodged a bullet there. Thankfully, he's no longer pushing me to get engaged to him."
"Good." But if that was the case, Eden no longer needed a fake boyfriend. He should feel relief, but instead his stomach tightened a little more.
"I'm glad that ridiculous engagement is behind us, but there's still plenty of tension between us. He's still sore that I refuse to return to DuPont Analytics."
His stomach finally relaxed.
Eden's not leaving. Yet.
Why did he have to tack ayetonto the end of that thought? It sat there like a ticking time bomb. As content as Eden seemed here, deep down, Rudy knew she'd leave Providence someday.
"I'm glad things are improving." Did his voice sound as tight to her as it did to him?
"Speaking of my dad..." Eden grimaced. "He wants me to bring you to dinner Friday night."
Now he needed a drink of water. He picked up the glass and drained it.
"Why?" His voice squeaked on the single word.
"He wants to get to know you." She pushed her fingers into her hair and flipped it from the left side to the right. "He still thinks you're my boyfriend."
Rudy's heart surged upward in his chest, cutting off his air supply. "You didn't come clean now that the Tristan thing is behind you?"
She slumped forward. "I know I should have, but I... I just couldn't admit that I lied to him. He'd be so angry and disappointed with me."
He ducked his head a little to meet her gaze. "At some point, you need to stop trying to please your father and live your life on your terms."
"I know. I'm trying. I really am. But until he accepts that I'm not coming back to work for him, I don't want to cause more waves. It's just easier to pretend you're my boyfriend." She wrinkled her nose a little. "That is, if you don't mind going along with the charade a little longer."
