Page 50 of Goode Tidings

"Thailand," Justin answers. "And it's fine." There's rustling over the line, and Justin is muffled as he speaks to someone else. Back on the line, he clearly says, "I was planning to call the police on you. But I've changed my mind."

He pauses to give me time to fall at his feet and thank him for his mercy. I won't be doing that. I have standards, thank you.

"What made you change your mind?"

"Who," Justin replies.

What is this guy, a fucking owl? "I video called Eden this morning. She took me on a tour of the cabin. After seeing what you've done with the place, I've decided to let your deception slide."

My molars grind. "How kind of you."

"Eden said you're staying in that building by the lake?"

"Mm-hmm." I pinch my lower lip between two fingers, tugging at it absentmindedly. Eden has stopped doing yoga, and now she leans her forearms on the railing. Her black sweatshirt slips off one shoulder. I can't make out very many details from here, but she's so damn pretty. That I know.

"Did you convert that, too?" Justin's voice hammers into my gawking. "Last I remember, that place was full of spiders."

"Not anymore." At what point can I get off the phone with this asshat? I have a very busy day ahead of me. First, I need to trick myself into believing I'm not thinking about Eden, followed by a few hours of pretending like I'm not checking the backyard for glimpses of her.

Justin's been talking, and I've been half listening until he says, "You can stay in that building while Eden's there, but you better make sure you treat Oliver and Eden well."

This gets my full attention. Justin thinks he needs to tell me how to treat Oliver and Eden? "I'll tell you what. I won't send them to a broken down cabin in the woods. How about that?"

He sputters. "I didn't know it was broken down."

"You sure as hell didn't make certain it was in good shape. Seriously, Justin, what is wrong with you?"

"I just said I didn't know about the cabin."

"I get that you didn't know what it was. The problem, Justin, is that you didn't know what it wasn't."

"Why do you sound so pissed off about this? Everything worked out fine."

If I could crawl through this phone and choke this sorry excuse for a man, I would. "Because what you did was wrong, Justin. To the two people you should care for above all else."

Justin's quiet. Good. Maybe he's thinking about what I've said. "You like her," he finally says, a murmured realization. Then louder, once more, with confidence. "You like her."

"No," I deny. Yes. "I happen to know the difference between right and wrong. Unlike you."

"Did you develop that detection skill before or after you stole my cabin?"

"You're funny."

"And you've always been too damn sensitive."

It strikes a chord, this accusation. Because it's true. I feel too deeply. I always have, and Justin clearly remembers.

"Old habits die hard."

"Speaking of dying, I noticed your absence at my dad's funeral. And your mom's absence, too. What happened? She didn't want to show up for her ex-husband?"

I have a few thoughts on this, and none of them are kind. "My mom lives in Florida now. We weren't told your dad passed until well after it happened. And I'm sorry for your loss." It's trite and delivered without any feeling. Something said so I can say it was said.

"Thanks. Hang on a sec," Justin says to me, and that muffled voice from earlier comes through the phone. Justin returns. "I gotta go. I'd say thanks for fixing up the cabin, but I only kind of mean it. I'm still pissed. Don't fall in love with Eden. You don't deserve her. Nobody does. Bye."

The call ends.

I lower the phone and look at it. It shows my backdrop now, and apps.