“A part of me will always miss her and that potential.”
Eden’s chest was heavy as she took that in. “I get it. I mean, I’ve never been through that, but I can empathize. She was half your life. She’s the mother of your child. Who else can you trust, if not her, right?”
“Sure.”
“You’ve been carrying that thiswholetime?”
“The only person I’ve told is… him.” Even though he meant Liam, Benson couldn’t say his name. “He said a lot of the same things you have. He’s said alotthis week.”
“He mentioned being exhausted because he’s been yelling at you all week.”
“Yeah, well… I always give him a lot to yell about. I’m not as comfortable with myself as he is. That man’s been getting around since he was in high school. I’m shocked he could put up with me for as long as he could.”
“He told me today you broke his heart, you know.”
“Did he?”
Eden nodded. “You trying to break my heart, too, Ben?”
“The only way I could break your heart is if you…”
She held herself close to him. “I don’t think you’re disgusting. I don’t think you’re messed up. I…” She inhaled his scent, remembering how safe and delighted she had always felt in these arms. “I’m falling for you, Ben. And I’m telling you right now, I’m nearing the point of no return. If I keep hanging around you two, I’m gonna fall forbothof you. Harder than I have for anyone. You’re both wonderful. For different reasons, but together? It’s like magic.”
His eyes widened as his arms wrapped around her.
“I like this whole falling for someone thing,” she said against his chest. “I don’t wanna regret it. So before I go all-in, I need to know that it isn’t something I’ll regret. You two…” She steppedback, holding the hem of his shirt before slowly releasing it. “You two need to sort your shit out. So I can have you both.”
Benson crossed his arms. “I don’t know about that. Liam and I… it didn’t work. I don’t know if I can actually be in a public relationship like that with another guy. I thought I could.”
“Don’t make any decisions right now, Ben.” Eden checked for her wallet, keys, and phone in her skirt pocket. “I just wanted you to know whereIstand. I’ve got a whole life ahead of me. Things can happen anytime. You could die, for example.”
“Wha…”
Like she had with Liam, Eden kissed his cheek. “I’ll call you later. Or call me tomorrow. Someone call someone this weekend.”
He watched after her. He must have known that he didn’t have to go after her.
Eden had places to be, anyway. She had decisions to make.
She walked into her apartment, slumping against the wall as she removed her shoes and tossed her keys and wallet into a dish by her door.
After grabbing a can of soda from the fridge, she ambled over to her loveseat. She didn’t turn on the TV. Instead, she stared at a letter on her coffee table.
It was from La Mariposa. Apparently, she had been so well-received the month before that they were inviting her to work the May retreat. She had a few weeks to decide, but the sooner she replied, the sooner she could secure some high-paying work.
Absolutely insane…Another hundred grand in her pocket for one weekend’s work fucking a bunch of guys whenever they wanted.
When she thought of it that way, she laughed.
Chapter 2
Benson
When his mind was such a jumbled mess, there were two places he could retreat, and one was alcohol.
I’m too old for that shit.Benson had once done that, though. Lost himself in drink (and other vices) for so long that he came dangerously close to addiction. It was the intervention of his partners at work and his own daughter, when she was older, that kept him sober in the long run.The last time I got that way...When he broke up with Liam, spiraling Benson into a bender that lasted almost three months before he realized Sydney was making up reasons to keep Drew at her place because their daughter had expressed fear about her father’s state of mind.
So, if he wanted to navigate his embarrassment and bad memorieswithoutgetting drunk, he had to rely on the second thing.
