Becca straightens. “Is this about the Gran thing?” she asks quietly. Sometimes I forget how perceptive she is.
“It’s about the Gran thing. I’m going to the UK earlier than planned. In three days.”
The table goes still, like someone hit a mute button. Bella blinks, then snorts. “Fucking hell, Eden. I thought you were going to tell us something serious. Obviously you’re going to England. Frankly, I thought you would’ve been on the same flight as your grandparents.”
Pia’s hand sneaks across the table, curling her pinky around mine. “Alone?” she says, but her eyes are on Sloane, who still hasn’t said a word.
Todd, never one for reading a room, leans back and says, “Can I come with you? I’ve always wanted to see Buckingham Palace. Do you think the Queen likes burgers?” This earns him a death glare from Pia, which he deflects with a dazzlingly clueless grin.
I still need to talk to my best friend about her and Todd. Maybe before I hop on a plane. There is something in Pia’s eyes that makes me think there is more going on than she’s admitting.
Becca pushes a milkshake in my direction, a thick layer of whipped cream threatening to slosh over the edge. “Are you staying until your gallery show?”
The gallery show is still months away, but if things with Gran don’t go the way we hope, there’s a strong chance I’ll end up staying longer than expected.
“I don’t know. Maybe? I just know I need to be there right now. I’ll hijack Gran’s studio if I need to paint.”
Bella finally rests her chin in her hand, gaze softening for a microsecond. “Well, we’re still coming for your show. But if you need us, say the word.”
Pia lifts my hand to her mouth and kisses my knuckles, which is well out of her norm. I can’t keep up with her mood changes of late. “I’ll water your plants and steal your hoodies.”
“The only plant I have is plastic, so don’t water that!” I shoot. I’ve got visions of my bedroom being flooded.
For a moment, no one speaks. Sloane finally looks up from the salt shaker she’s been eyeing since the conversation started. “I’m proud of you,” she says. We’ve already hadthis conversation, but it’s nice to hear. It’s the reassurance I need. God, I’m needy and it’s gross.
“Thanks, guys,” I begin. “Oh, and will you all keep an eye on Jenna, please? I know she has Kiera but that’s new. She’s starting college soon and she acts like she’s fine, but she’s basically a raw nerve in soccer shorts. She almost cried earlier.”
“Done,” Bella says. “I’ll text her memes every hour on the hour.”
“Great plan.” I laugh, knowing Bella will absolutely do that and it’ll drive Jenna bonkers.
Sloane squeezes my knee under the table. “She’s going to be okay,” she whispers.
“Need a ride to the airport?” Bella asks.
“I’ve got that covered,” Sloane replies.
I drain the last of the milkshake and set the glass down, feeling the sugar buzz kick in. “If any of you so much as think about touching my sketchbooks, I’ll know,” I do the “I’m watching you” finger to eyes and point at everyone. “I’ve booby-trapped them.”
Bella will fuck with my drawings or sketch some of her own that will be completely inappropriate. She grins at me. “You know we only mess with you because we care.”
“Yeah, I know, but couldn’t you show affection in a normal way?”
She scoffs. “Not a chance.”
28
Sloane
I’m beyond grateful that Mom and Dad renovated the pool house for me. I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me, but I think I’m already getting to the point where I need to look for an apartment that isn’t in my parents’ backyard.
I’ve lived here for a few weeks, and for the most part it’s been everything I needed. The problem, however, is the constant presence of my parents’ worried faces. Ever since I told them Eden is going to the UK for an indeterminate amount of time, I’ve had to put up with Mom hovering and Dad sending me worried looks every time I see him.
I get it, okay? I lost my mind for a little while there, but I’m so much better and I feel strong mentally. Dr. Chen was the first person I spoke to after the late-night talk with Eden. The doctor talked it all through with me, and she was happy with how well I was coping.
Mom and Dad know how well I’m doing, but it doesn’t stop them from looking at me like I’m one bad day away from shutting myself in my room and never leaving. We need to talk, and I need to start looking toward my future.
The idea hits me like a slap. Why didn’t I think of it sooner? Shaking my head, I snatch my phone from my kitchen counter and message Eden, letting her know I’m on my way over. She leaves in two days, and I’d hoped we get to spend every waking hour with each other, but we can’t because I have to go do adult stuff, like build a business.
