Eden sometimes couldn’t help how much she loathed Patrick, but she managed to squeeze out a fake smile.
The rest of the day was pretty normal. Charlene and Eden chatted about Wine Expo plans and reserved their hotel room during lunch. Most days Charlene and Eden ate lunch in their office, gossiping about the latest reality shows they’ve watched. They had shared an office for over five years, using the space for various purposes. All too often it was a therapy office, a safe place to meltdown or just bitch about someone or something.
When Eden returned home that night, Rick was outside with Marcus, their neighbor, leaning against the trash cans. As she pulled into the driveway, Rick turned his attention to the her. The sun caught his eye, he squinted and matched the sun’s glimmer with his smile. Eden loved Rick’s smile. It was the first thing she noticed about him and the only thing that had to the power to melt her.
As Eden scooted out of the car, Rick greeted her. “Hey hun, how was your day?” Rick seemed particularly jovial. A vast contrast to the groggy bear from this morning.
“Good.” She looked at Marcus, “hey Marcus.” He waved and smiled, knowing Eden was not going to wait for a response. “I’m going to the Wine Expo in three weeks,” Eden directed her gaze back at Rick. “Blaire approved that Charlene and I could attend this year. Isn’t that great?”
“Oh, yeah!” His excitement was forced though likely not detectable to Marcus. He changed the subject quicker than Eden could respond. “We’re just out here trash talking.” Rick loved that joke. Eden had lost count over the number of times she’s heard him say it.
Eden could get the hint. It was Rick’s precious guy time with Marcus. On move-in day, Rick spotted Marcus cleaning out his garage and decided to introduce himself. From that moment on, it had become a bromance she couldn’t match.
“Alright, I’ll leave you guys to your trash talk.”
Chapter 2
The next day Eden couldn’t help but watch the clock at work. Her girlfriends were taking her out for an early birthday celebration.
The clock hit 5pm and Eden sang, “Closing time.”
Charlene smiled, “That’s right. Let’s get out of here!” Charlene wasn’t just Eden’s co-worker, she was a close, trusted friend. Someone she appreciated spending time with both at work and outside of work.
“Would you mind letting me hitch a ride to Lure and dropping me off at home?” Eden hated asking for favors but there was an air of confidence knowing the proximity of her birthday would likely result in a positive response.
“Yeah, no problem. How are you going to get to work tomorrow?” Charlene was always thinking of the full picture.
“I’ll have Rick drop me off. Remember, I’m coming in late. He’s treating me to a birthday breakfast.”
“Ooohhhh, is that code for something else?” Had Eden been truthful with any of her girlfriends the last six months, Charlene wouldn’t have asked such a question. The wideness between Rick and Eden that was almost unbearable and something she couldn’t admit to her friends.
“Ha!” Eden responded.
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Walking into Lure, Eden and Charlene were flagged down by Kit and Brooke.
“Happy birthday!” They all blurted as Eden got closer to the table.
Slightly embarrassed, Eden turned red and replied, “Thank you, ladies.”
Not too long after sitting down on a bar stool, Eden felt arms wrap around her from behind. “Are we celebrating a birthday over here?” It was Carmen, the daughter of the restaurant owner. “It’s been awhile since you ladies came to visit me. Besides our girl, Ed’s, birthday what’s been going on with all of you?” Carmen was two years younger than Eden. They went to middle school and high school together. Carmen’s older brother, Carlos, was Eden’s first love and someone she managed to avoid talking about with Carmen for the last 15 years.
“You know, just being awesome.” Kit responded with a forced air of confidence. Her vibe was always hard for Eden to nail down. Kit wavered between nerdy, Star Wars lover and librarian sex goddess. In fact, when Javier, a friend of Rick’s, asked if Eden had any single friends, she mentioned Kit and explained her exactly in that manner. Javier’s douche response was “Maybe I can show her my light saber.” Their coupling didn’t last long.
“Hey, awesome is the only way to be.” Carmen was always polite with Kit. Despite the time Kit got sloshed and threw a drink on Carmen after intending for it to hit an aggressive patron at the bar. “Eden, had I known you all were coming in tonight, I would have suggested maybe another location.”
Eden and the rest of the ladies looked perplexed. Not knowing where she was going with it, the statement on its own seemed rather rude.
“What? Why?” Eden was trying not to do what she always did and jump to the conclusion that she’d done or said something wrong to Carmen the last time she saw her.
Eden could see Charlene’s eyes farrow just as she felt another pair of hands on her shoulders. “I hear it’s someone’s birthday.” Eden’s full body got goosebumps. Her legs, arms, scalp, everything. The voice moved from behind her to standing next to Carmen.
Carmen forced a smile. “Girls, this is my brother, Carlos. Ladies, Carlos.”
Carlos smiled and waved, “Hi, ladies! Ed, happy birthday!” He moved in to give Eden a hug. She leaned one shoulder in to be polite. “How long has it been? Like 15 years?” He was still light and devoid of the weight of responsibility. His hair was longer now. A brunette shag with a slight wave by his ears. His dimples slightly deeper than she remembered but his smile was just as deadly.
“Yeah something like that.” Her response was everything short of welcoming a conversation. Looking Carmen square in the eyes, Eden asked for the drink menu.
“Actually, I already know what I want to drink. Can you bring me a Stella Artois please?” Turning to look at the other ladies, “Ladies, what are you guys drinking?” Eden’s tone and facial expression told them they better pick a drink fast.
After getting everyone’s order, Carmen turned to Carlos. “Alright ladies, we’ll get these started for you.” She dragged Carlos by the arm away from the table.
Eden wiped the sweat from her upper lip. “Man, now I really need a drink.” She picked up her phone and quickly text Carmen.
Can you bring me two drinks please? That really through me for a loop.
Carmen responded with a thumbs up emoji.
Brooke leaned into the table to be more discreet. “Is that THE Carlos?” Kit looked around the table confused. Her relationship with Eden had never reached the point of talking about first loves.
“Yes. I don’t know what to do. It’s been so long since I saw him.” She picked up her phone to use the camera app. “Do I have a booger or something in my teeth?”
Charlene put her hand on Eden’s forearm. “You look beautiful.” She smiled and comforted Eden with her signature maternal stare.
“I’m feeling a little ran over. Like a hit and run.”
“Nope! Don’t do it! Don’t go there, E.” Brooke was a believer in black and white. Ironic since her current relationship grew from a state of gray. “Don’t let him ruin your birthday. We’re here to have a good time.”