Rick’s body language read that he was defensive. “You know. You tend to start running numbers, moving us into a bigger house, spending the money we would have, talking about a lifestyle we know nothing about. You get a little excited too quickly and think it’s a done deal.” He stared at Eden, hesitant to elaborate anymore. “You tend to set the bar too high sometimes.” He looked down, fumbling with his fingers. “I just don’t think I can measure up.”
Rick knew about Carlos. In the small town they lived in, who didn’t. Consuela, Carlos’ mom, was quite the gadabout. Word always travelled when she would give an update on Carlos to a guest at some dinner party she attended. The rumors painted Carlos like a suave, free-spirited millionaire who got everything he went after. Knowing Eden dated Carlos for over two years prior to meeting Rick, he often wondered if Eden regretted being with him. He always expected to be a working-class man, but Eden pushed him. Without her, he would have never pursued a contractor’s license or start his own company.
Eden reached for Rick’s hand, “You are crazy! You have just as good a chance of landing this job as anyone else.” She pulled his hand to her mouth and kissed it. It was something he used to do with her when they started dating. She hated it initially. It felt outdated.
Rick pulled away his hand, “Do you want to pick up something really quick to eat or shall I drop you off at work?”
Deflated that the conversation had hit a dead-end, Eden acquiesced. “I’m hungry but I guess you can take me to work. We’re right here.” Inside Eden slowly started to sizzle. Rick wasn’t good at thinking through a full plan. Sure, he was a savvy businessman, but surprises like this always seemed half baked.
She couldn’t let it go. “I didn’t pack a lunch because I thought we were going to eat a big breakfast. Guess I’ll grab something.”
Rick stopped the truck. “Why do you do this? Why don’t you say what’s on your mind the first time?”
“Come on, Rick. What did you expect? You told me we were going to breakfast. Of course, I’m hungry. What did you think was going to happen?”
He turned the truck around and made his way back to town. They drove in silence both brimming with anger.
Chapter 4
Later that day, Eden sat at her desk when Rick text her.
I love you. Hope you’re having a good day at work.
Eden didn’t want to respond. The morning didn’t turn out quite the way she anticipated but that seemed to be the norm for them lately. They didn’t anticipate getting pregnant with another child and they didn’t anticipate losing that child either.
She clicked on the message app and saw she had more texts than just Twitter notifications. There were a handful of texts from friends and family wishing her happy birthday. Further down were two unread messages; one from a number she didn’t recognize and the other from Carmen. She clicked on Carmen’s text.
I’m sorry. Carlos begged me for your number. I tried to blow him off, but he grabbed my phone and sent the contact to himself.
Eden felt the heat in her body rise. Starring at her phone, she replied.
No worries, I’ll handle it.
Carmen and Eden grew close while Eden and Carlos dated but when they broke up, the relationship between Carmen and Eden really blossomed. With the way things ended between Eden and Carlos, Carmen felt responsible for protecting Eden. Despite how close they grew over the years, Carmen never brought up Carlos and did all she could to act as a gatekeeper for her when anyone would mention Carlos in Eden’s presence.
Carmen responded.
Please don’t be mad at me. I’m so sorry. If you want, I can steal his phone and remove your contact information.
Happy birthday by the way! XOXO
Now she knew who the unknown number likely belonged to, she found herself hesitating to read it. She needed to do it sometime so why not now. She clicked on the number.
Hey, it’s Carlos.
A simple text but at 9:34pm Eden wondered what the hell he wanted. She looked at the screen and started typing a response.
Hey sorry I didn’t see your text until just now. Did you need something? Hoovering over the send button, Eden thought twice and deleted the message.
What’s up? She hit send. The three thought bubbles popped up right away. Her stomach turned.
Happy birthday, Ed! [Dancing Woman Emoji]
She couldn’t help wondering if Carmen reminded him it was her birthday. She was still curious why he text last night.
Thanks. There was something about putting a period after “thanks” that made Eden feel like she was really sticking it to the recipient.
I was bartending at Lure last night wanted to see if you could keep me company.
Eden thought of her dream that morning. Carlos’ hands all over her body and his bright whites smiling back at her. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t wonder what life with Carlos would have been like.
Bursting, she wanted to tell Charlene, but she knew she couldn’t. It would lead to confessing about her morning, confessing about how she felt Rick left her to deal with the miscarriage alone, and confessing about her dream of Carlos.
Not knowing how to respond to his text, Eden put her phone face down and continued working. Despite focusing on setting up the Facebook ads for the following week, leading a strategy brainstorming meeting, and working with the graphic designer on the annual Uncorked invitation, Eden couldn’t take her mind off Carlos. She wondered had she seen the text last night, would she have gone.
Sick of mulling it over, she text Carlos back.
Too bad I missed it.
It was brave and perhaps a little misleading, but she figured the likelihood of him working tonight was minimal.
You probably have birthday plans but I’m working again tonight. Bring the family. Come visit me.
Eden didn’t have any birthday plans. At least not tonight. Still frustrated from the way things ended with Rick this morning, she decided to text Rick.
Hey, do you mind if I go out for a drink after work?
Rick quickly responded.
Sure. I’ll pick up the girls.
Eden wondered if he assumed she’d get drinks with the girls. Rick was never the jealous type. Nothing like Eden. If Rick went out for drinks after work, Eden always wanted to know where he was going and with who.
She replied to Rick with a thumbs up emoji and text Carlos.
Actually, I have plans tomorrow.
She felt a rush of adrenaline and butterflies in her stomach. Was this really happening, she wondered.
Great. I’ll be here until 11pm tonight. Stop by! [Dancing Woman Emoji]
Chapter 5
Walking into Lure, the hostess recognized her and smiled. “Are your friends meeting you?”
“Oh, no, I’m just heading to the bar tonight.” Eden felt self-conscious. She always cared a little too much about what others thought of her.
She made her way to the bar, which was packed. No surprise, Lure had an epic happy hour menu and drink specials. In a small town, its only direct competition was a mom and pop fish and chips hut on Stanford Street.
Carlos flagged her down and waved her back to the end of the bar. On the last bar stool there was a “reserved” sign. “Hey Ed, have a seat,” Carlos shouted over the loud hum of the restaurant. He smiled and wiped down the counter in front of Eden. “I’m glad you made it.”