Page 48 of Goode Tidings

"I didn't say no, Oliver."

He crosses his arms and looks away. "But you're going to."

We make it to my car, and Oliver climbs in the backseat and closes the door. He doesn't slam it like I think he's going to, but he closes it roughly.

"I'm sorry," Eden says, stopping outside the passenger door. She sighs, running her hands under her eyes. "He's anticipating I'll say no, and he's worked himself up already."

Witnessing all this firsthand makes me want to call my mother and apologize. I must've been this way too, and I didn't even know it.

I reach for the door handle, pausing before I open it. "You're a good mom, Eden. Whether he goes on that camping trip or not."

She smiles at me gratefully when I open the door and step aside, waiting for her to climb in.

The drive home is quiet. Eden hums Beast of Burden quietly to herself, and Oliver is petulant in the backseat. Thankfully, it's only ten minutes home.

I park on the curb, and Oliver gets out. He lopes across the front yard, and Eden calls to him. "You seem to have forgotten your manners."

He turns back to me. "Thanks for driving us tonight."

"Anytime," I answer, and he makes a beeline for the house. Eden watches him, worrying her bottom lip.

"He's concerned about being left out." I probably don't need to tell her my take on his behavior. She knows Oliver inside out.

"Yeah." She nods. "I get it. But he still needs to keep learning how to be respectful even when he's upset."

"I know a few adults who could use that same lesson."

Eden breathes a laugh. "Seriously."

The night is dark, the moon a scant curve. A breeze picks up Eden's hair, tossing it over her shoulder.

"Don't quote me on this, but I had a good time tonight."

Eden pretends to zip her lips. My hands find my pockets. Standing here beside my car, under a barely there moon, has the trappings of an end-of-a-date scenario. That's not what this is, not at all.

And yet.

Eden's gaze softens, a hint of vulnerability in those brown eyes. "Can I give you a hug?"

My pulse accelerates. I hesitate before murmuring, "Sure. This time I'll keep my fingers from getting tangled in your belt loop."

Eden steps closer. Her eyes are on mine as her arms open. When they encircle my back, her head meets my chest. I'm stiff and out of practice, my hand hovering an inch above her back before finally settling against her soft sweater.

She exhales, the sound soft and unguarded, and I feel the warmth of it through the fabric of my shirt. For a moment we stand there just like that, motionless in the still of the night.

"Are you ok?" I ask quietly, looking down at the top of her head.

She snuggles in deeper, and something in my chest tightens. "Do I need to be upset to want a hug?"

"I guess not." My voice is rumbly, threaded through with an emotion I can't place.

She's quiet for a second, then says in a tiny voice, "I'm a little upset."

A ghost of a smile appears on my face. That was so cute.

She releases me without warning, like she's afraid she's taken up too much of my time and space. I have to stop myself from pulling her back in.

She smiles shyly. "Hugs usually make me feel better, so thank you for indulging me. They're probably not your favorite." She takes another step back and grips the purse wound around her. "Good night, Callum."