This Monday, she decided to take a few magazines down to Java Joan’s and enjoy some coffee. Java Joan’s had been in business since the 1960’s. Eden’s grandmother still refers to it as a beatnik hangout.
In a small town like Lovette Valley, it was easy to develop relationships with those you encountered often. Sebastian, a barista at Java Joan’s, was one of those people. For the last five years, he’s been working there. Rumor around town was that he was the great grandson of Joan herself, but he had been raised in New York City, which explained why his big personality didn’t quite fit into the cookie cutter image of Lovette Valley. Eden, herself, didn’t feel like she fit into that cookie cutter image either, but she couldn’t see herself living anywhere else.
“Hey Sebastian, you dyed your hair. Blue! I love it. I wish I could pull off a fun color like you.” Sebastian did a head cock, pierce grin and placed a hand on his clavicle.
“Thanks, hon!” Posing for a moment, he adjusted his focus to Eden. “Actually, have you ever tried pink in your hair? It would go really well with your skin tone.” He continued to look at her intensely. “Oh, and if you get a nose piercing, you’d be all kinds of fierce.”
Eden was starting to feel herself. Sebastian always had that effect on her. “You think? I don’t have an old lady vibe?” She saw Sebastian’s eyes focus to someone behind her.
“Old lady vibe? Never.” Eden swung around and saw Carlos standing there with his dimples radiating. Damn him and his beautiful face, Eden thought. Carlos took a step forward to stand next to Eden. Focusing on Sebastian, he asked, “Hey sonny, can you add a flat white latte to the order?”
Sebastian laughed and looked at Eden. “Your usual order, E?”
She nodded and turned to Carlos. “Hey sonny?” She mocked. “Talk about old man vibes.” Eden winked at Sebastian who returned it with a smirk. “See you later.”
She walked to a nearby table and Carlos followed. “Seems like you are following me.” Carlos sat at the table and pated the area across from him as a signal for Eden to join him.
“That might be somewhat true.” Eden stared at his eyes in an attempt to read what was underneath.
“So, what is it? What do you want from me? Why are you stalking me?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let’s take it easy with the S word.” He laughed to make light of the moment.
Eden’s eyes didn’t stray. They tighten and sucked air right out of the room. She found herself wondering what life would be like as an Alonso. Would she develop the same entitlement that seemed to plague the family?
He continued. “Okay, look. Ma has put a ton of pressure on me to make the wine launch a success. She keeps telling me I need to talk to industry experts. She’s linked me to a few nice folks but the one person I trust is you. I need your help.”
Shocked to silence, Eden wanted to explode. Where was he when she needed his help? Why did she have to save him? Does he realize how much hurt he caused her? Her thoughts ran rapid. Since Carlos had returned to Lovette Valley, she’d suppressed the feelings of 15 years ago, but her anger was starting to boil on the surface. She found herself fighting with wanting to hit him and wanting to kiss him.
Breaking the silence, Carlos reached for Eden’s hand. “What do you say, Ed? Come work for me.”
She pulled her hand away, “Why,” she snapped back.
“I need a marketing director. Someone who knows the business and how to get our name out there. I need you.” He lowered his gaze, reducing his eyes to that of a begging puppy.
Eden saw Sebastian spying on them over the espresso maker.
“Think about it, Ed, it could be like old times. Tag teaming. We made a great team, don’t you think?”
Boy, he’s really laying on the charm, Eden thought.
“As flattering as that all seems, I should remind you we WERE a great team.” She walked over to the barista counter and grabbed her coffee. Circling back around to the table, she said, “Look, I need to go.” She rushed out the door with a chest full of adrenaline.
Calling after her, Carlos yelled, “It’s a great opportunity, Ed.”
She made her way into her car and sat there catching her breath. There was no doubt in her mind that Carlos would be successful. After all, the wine he shared with her was phenomenal. She didn’t doubt that if the role wasn’t filled by her, that he wouldn’t hesitate to charm someone else right into that position.
The rest of the day was per usual. Meetings, ad scheduling, reviewing mock-ups, pulling analytics for reports. She worked in silence still haunted by Carlos’ words, “I need you.”
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The next day Patrick wandered into Eden’s office with a huge smile on his face. Eden felt him standing there and turned to see nearly all of Patrick’s teeth. Knowing something was up, Eden asked, “What’s going on, Patrick?” She was always apprehensive about encouraging Patrick to stay for any longer than necessary.
“I heard you’ve been hanging out with a new friend.” Patrick’s smile was matched with one arched eyebrow.
Hesitant to continue the conversation, she asked reluctantly, “What new friend?”
Patrick pulled out the chair opposite Eden and sat down. Eden exhaled, thinking, here we go!
“You know! The Alonso boy. Well, he’s not really a boy, is he? He’s all man, right, Eden?” Patrick was loving this moment too much. If Eden could have turned her eyes into laser beams and combust Patrick, she would have shattered him to smithereens. She saw right through his antics.
This was the downfall of a small town. Word got around fast. Despite loving Sebastian to pieces, she knew he was the little bird that told Patrick. Eden always suspected that they were dating but Sebastian’s Instagram account said otherwise. His significant other was planted firmly in New York City.
“We’re old friends,” Eden replied and instantly regretted it. It only encouraged Patrick to probe more.
“Oh, I’ve heard about you two.”
Caught off guard, Eden imagined leaping across the desk and strangling Patrick until he turned purple.
“Aren’t you two former love birds?” He continued.
Not today, Satan, Eden thought. She smiled and walked to the door, “Look I have a lot of work to get done today.”
Surprisingly, Patrick got the hint, stood up and walked out. “Ohhh, touchy about the subject, huh?”
Eden shut the door after him and let out a low, drawn out groan. Had there been a pillow nearby, she would have screamed into it.
She found it hard to focus the rest of the day. Did everyone in town know what was going on between her and Carlos? She wondered.
She felt a sharp pain in her stomach and a sudden urge to use the restroom.
Sitting on the toilet, Eden finished up by cleaning herself. To her surprise, there was blood. It was her period. It had been nearly two months since Eden had the miscarriage and this was the first time her period returned. She sunk in on the toilet, depressed and sad. She was approaching her due date. If she was still pregnant, she would only have two months left. She tried hard not to let her mind go to that place, but she couldn’t help it.
She and Rick had started to grow excited for their unexpected family addition. They tossed around names and had even found out they were having another girl.