by Clare Lydon
Eden had behaved badly when Heidi’s parents had turned up, but Eden and parents were like oil and water: they didn’t gel. She’d spent her entire life working out what parents should do, because her mum had never been a good example. Heidi had picture-book parents. Like the parents from a Hallmark movie. Eden had no time for those movies, because she couldn’t make sense of them.
When Heidi’s parents had turned up early, she’d panicked. Plus, Heidi’s mum had been wearing something with geranium in it. That smell had been enough to make Eden struggle to keep it together, and then want to run. She couldn’t stay and play happy families with Heidi’s parents and daughter when the scent of her gran was lingering in the air. It had been too much. Heidi had let her go, but even as she was leaving, Eden knew running wasn’t the answer. However, it was her default, and she didn’t know how to change it.
When she got home on Sunday, Eden sent Heidi a couple of messages apologising about leaving so soon. She was holding back. She knew that.
However, she hadn’t held back when they were in bed. When Heidi touched her, Eden felt it in her very core, in her heart and in her soul. When the two of them were together, she couldn’t be anywhere but in the moment. There was nowhere to hide.
What’s more, against the odds, Heidi had got Eden talking about her mum. Had Heidi judged her? She hoped not. Heidi had tried to tell Eden her upbringing didn’t dictate her actions now. But Eden knew Heidi’s did. She came from a stable, loving home, and that’s what she wanted to give her daughter. It made sense.
Until she met Heidi, Eden had always dealt with her dating life by shutting down, retreating. If you didn’t open yourself up, you couldn’t get hurt. Eden had experienced enough hurt to last a lifetime. Her life was fine.
But there was that word again. The one Heidi had picked out, sat on its own and shone a spotlight on.
Eden’s life was fine. It was absolutely fine. But could it be better? More than she’d ever dreamed of? What would happen if she opened up? Could she have more nights and mornings like the one she’d had with Heidi? Because despite being scared and exposed, she hadn’t felt more alive in years. Was Eden prepared to sacrifice her golden rule and put her heart on the line? She was beginning to think she might be. However, to do that, she had to see Heidi again.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a folder landed on her desk with a loud thwack. Caroline folded her arms across her chest, then leaned against Eden’s desk, smiling sweetly.
“What do you want?” Eden knew that smile well.
Caroline’s smile got even wider. “Your genius, your charisma and your love.”
“I’ve told you before, work relationships are rarely a good idea.”
“Okay, I’ll settle for the first two. Massive contract just landed.” She pointed at the folder. “Literally. There’s more in your inbox. If we can nail the presentation — which I know you can — then we can secure the deal. But it’s got to be done by Friday, because the company they were dealing with just fell through and they need a replacement asap.”
What was it with all these last-minute companies? “I don’t have time to do this. Not with the other three projects I’m already handling.” She paused. “Plus, I have some personal things I need to take care of.”
The surprise on Caroline’s face was epic. “Personal things? You don’t have a personal life, do you?”
That floored Eden. “I might be starting to.”
Caroline took that in. “Okay, and I have to respect that. You’ve given me so much of your own time over the years.”
Eden nodded. She’d given her plenty.
“Only, you’re the only one with the skills to really nail the pitch. So pretty please? For me? I’ll take everything else off your plate if you’ll at least look at this and give us your opinion. Maybe just a teeny-tiny pitch. How’s that?” She gave Eden her most pathetic, needy face. “I’ll make it worth your while, too. Give you time off in lieu.” Even though she knew Eden never took the holiday she already had.
Eden frowned at the folder. She took up challenges like this, Caroline knew that. But her boss was playing on her good will. However, maybe this week, she could do with a project to get her teeth into. Something to completely absorb her. So long as she could see Heidi, too. Because she wanted to.
That fact made her sit up. Things really were changing on Planet Eden.
“Okay, I’ll look at it and give you preliminary feedback. I’ll get Johan to help, too. Be warned, though — I might shock you and take you up on that time in lieu, too.” A vision of her and Heidi enjoying the summer flashed through her mind. “But can I make a request?”
“Whatever you like.”
“Please hire someone if you’re taking on more clients. You’re going to need them.”
“I know that.” Caroline’s face was contrite. “Thank you. I owe you.”
Chapter 32
Heidi had her sunglasses on today; spring was finally giving the relentless rain a run for its money. May was her very favourite month, and she was looking forward to its arrival. Heidi plunged Maya down the slide for the umpteenth time when she heard a voice in her ear.
“Boo!”
She jumped, turned, then thumped Cleo on the arm. “Don’t you know it’s wrong to do that to unsuspecting mothers in parks? You could be a psychopath.”
“I could be, but I’m not. I’m just your best friend back from Boston, finally!” She gave Heidi a grin, then picked up Maya from the bottom of the slide and swung her around. “How’s my favourite little girl in the whole world?”
“Don’t let Becca’s nieces hear you say that.”
“Maya will always be my favourite. I saw her being born. You can’t beat that.” Cleo kissed Maya’s cheek. “We saw you pop out of your mummy’s vagina, didn’t we?”
“Gi-na!” Maya mimicked.
“That’s still not funny, by the way.” But Heidi smiled, just like always.
Heidi sat Maya in her buggy, then set off round Clissold Park.
Cleo put an arm around her as they walked. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look knackered.”
“Is there a right way to take that comment?” Heidi bumped Cleo with her hip as they strolled. Even though the weather was heating up, it was nothing like the scorching spring Maya was born. “But you’re right, I’m exhausted. Late nights, lots of work, birthdays.”
“How did the date go on Saturday?”
“The date itself went well.” It was just the handful of days since that stumped Heidi.
“Is there a but?”
“Let’s just say she’s worth pursuing. I think. But you know I was worried I came with baggage?”
Cleo nodded.
“Small fry. She hasn’t dated anyone in seven years.”
“Fucking hell. You sure she’s not past her sell-by date?”
Heidi smiled. “No. We slept together, and she’s definitely not.” Of all the parts she was worried about, that wasn’t one of them. The sex hadn’t just been sex. It had been sex to write home about. Sex to write a letter to the editor about. Sex to make her heart yearn for more.
Cleo held up her hand to high-five Heidi. “So how was it? First time having sex since Maya was born?”
“It all still works, so that’s a plus. And I didn’t pee myself with my weaker pelvic floor. I’m calling it a win.”
“And they say romance is dead.”
Heidi inhaled, breathing in the moist spring day. She wasn’t going to fill Cleo in on everything that had gone on. Eden’s story had been too personal for that. “We’re taking it slow, which is kinda necessitated by me having a kid and having to work weekends, and her having to work all the time. But I’m looking on it as a positive. I can’t afford to rush into anything anymore, and she needs to take it slow, too, seeing as she has an issue with family. But it was a promising start. Until my parents gate-crashed our breakfast together and she bolted faster than Usain Bolt himself. Reminded me of our first meeting in Waitro
se, actually.”
“I’ve met your mum, she can be quite intimidating.”
“I think Maya was the scarier part. She had a breakdown because I wouldn’t give her chocolate spread. The speed it went from sexy morning in bed with my new lover to a bad family farce was frightening.”
“Yikes.”
“I’d like to say those were Eden’s words, but I think she was dumbstruck.” Heidi shook her head, the memory causing goosebumps to break out on her arm. “Turns out, dating with children is different.”
Cleo kicked a stone off the park path as she walked. “When are you seeing her again?”
“We’ve still got to work it out.” It was something Heidi hadn’t pushed. Eden messaged her on Monday to say she had a full-on week ahead with a new project having landed on her desk. Heidi thought that sounded very convenient. Whenever life got too hard, Eden had a tendency to bury herself in work. Still, she had a busy week, too, so she was letting it lie. For now.
“How’s the world of wedding photography?”
“Would you believe since I raised my prices, my enquiries have gone up? It’s that age-old thing of people attaching high price to value. I’m deluged with enquiries, which really wasn’t the point of doing it. But it does mean now I can turn down some Sundays, take up a few more weekday gigs, which I prefer. I’m going to make a rule I only do one weekend day, which means I can spend the other one with Maya. Or with Eden if she’s still around. Or with both.”
“Awesome. So as well as getting laid, you’re also getting paid. I’d say that’s a good week for you.”
Heidi nodded. She hoped it would be, once Eden worked out her issues. “I’ve had worse.”
“And what are you doing for Maya’s birthday? You should do a trampolining party, seeing as she loves it so much. We could all come, it’d be a hoot.”
That took Heidi right back to last Friday, to trampolining with Eden. To Eden breaking down, the start of her story seeping out. How was she feeling this week? Exposed and raw, Heidi was sure. Which was why she was hiding behind work.
“Eden and I took Maya trampolining last week. It was quite eventful.”
Cleo stopped walking. “You took her trampolining before you had sex with her? That seems like a really strange order to do things in.”
Heidi agreed. “I was going anyway, and she kinda invited herself.” She paused. “I think I’ll just do something at the flat for Maya’s birthday. She’s two. As long as she’s got cake, she’s happy.”
Cleo didn’t budge, keeping her eyes on Heidi. “And will you invite Eden? I’d like to meet her.”
Heidi’s breathing stalled. Would she? “I guess I will. I’ll have to see how this week goes, first.”
Cleo studied her as they walked. “You’re a little uncertain about this woman, aren’t you?”
Heidi didn’t like being unsure, but she couldn’t deny it. “I am. I don’t know which way she’s going to jump. And it’s nothing to do with me and what I do. It’s all about her and what she’s prepared to do.”
“Tread carefully, then. I might joke around, but you’re my best friend, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Chapter 33
Eden buried herself in work right up until Wednesday. Once she turned her initial proposal in to Caroline, she took the afternoon off to meet with Heidi. The shock on Caroline’s face when Eden told her she was leaving early made her smile. Everyone knew Eden wasn’t behaving like Eden at all. Heidi was bringing out a whole other side of her.
Eden had tried to focus on work, but it hadn’t done the trick. If she couldn’t stop thinking about Heidi, she decided to give in to it. That perhaps instead of simply thinking about her, she should take action and see her. Follow her heart, see where it led. Eden had told Heidi she didn’t believe in fate, she believed in action. It was about time she lived up to her billing.
The thing that drew her to Heidi was her realness. There was no hiding. All of which meant when Eden was with her, she couldn’t be anything else but real, either. Heidi demanded it. Heidi made her sentences stumble, her feelings sprawl on the ground. She had to see her again. She didn’t have a choice.
So now, here they were on Wednesday afternoon, walking through Soho, the sunshine casting a golden glow across the bustling streets. Eden had taken Heidi to her favourite tapas bar on Greek Street, and they’d eaten delicious tortilla, iberico ham, prawns and padron peppers. Every time Heidi had licked juice from her fingers, Eden had sat transfixed. Being with Heidi in public was all well and good, but Eden yearned to be with her in private. Behind closed doors. Her thoughts had been Heidi-flavoured all week long. Sitting beside her and keeping a polite distance had been a new level of exquisite torture.
Eden wanted to sweep Heidi off her feet. To leave her in no doubt that she was what she wanted. But having never swept anyone off their feet before, Eden wasn’t sure how to do it. This was new territory.
Eden took Heidi’s hand as they passed a perfume shop, Heidi stopping in front of it. “Remind me, I need to get some new perfume. I’m nearly out.”
Eden’s heart glowed red. “I like that. You’re asking me to remind you of things. Like I’m going to be around for a while.”
Heidi frowned. “I hope so. Was that not in your plans?”
Eden shook her head. “That came out wrong. It certainly is. It’s just new for me, that’s all.” She bowed her head as she said the last part, blood flushing her cheeks. She could give massive presentations to boards, but when it came to Heidi, Eden stuttered. She was determined to smooth out her transitions.
Heidi squeezed her hand. “You’re infuriating and adorable, all at the same time, you know that?”
Eden smiled. “I was hoping for sexy, but we can work up to that.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Eden swallowed down. “I know I apologised for running out on Sunday morning, and I am sorry. But another contributor was your mum’s perfume. Does she wear Diptyque Geranium?”
Heidi nodded. “She does. You have an impressive nose.”
“Not really. It was the one my gran wore. Smelling it so up close and personal freaked me out. It’s not a common scent.”
Heidi glanced at Eden, her steps faltering. “No wonder it freaked you out.” She squeezed Eden’s hand again. “But maybe it’s a good sign. You loved your gran; I hope my mum and her perfume grow on you.”
“Her daughter already has, so she’s already earned brownie points from me.” Eden kissed her, leaving her lips inches from Heidi’s as she spoke. “Your mum’s not at the forefront of my mind right now, though. That honour goes to kissing you some more, getting you naked.” As she said the words, lust slid down her, making her clit throb. She shivered, even though it was a warm day.
Heidi stared at her, then hesitated. “I’m desperate to go somewhere I can kiss you, too.”
Eden sucked in a breath as a thought hit her. Could she suggest it? Be so bold? She stared at Heidi’s red lips and decided it was the only thing she could do. Their time together was short. She wanted to make it count. “This might be a little out there, but this relationship is a little different to most I’ve had. In fact, so far, it’s been unique.”
Heidi smiled. “Agreed.”
Eden kissed Heidi’s hand, and was pleased to see she shivered. “But I’m not running away, which is such a huge step forward. You made me miss you.” She checked her watch. “We’ve got a few hours till you have to get home to pick Maya up. I don’t want to go to a bar. I want to get naked with you. What do you think about getting a hotel room?” Eden stared into Heidi’s eyes. “I know a place we put our clients up. We could go there and make the most of today. Do what we both want to do.” She paused. “Only if that is what you want to do, too?”
Eden had everything crossed that it was. If it wasn’t, she was going to bawl. Right here on this Soho street.
A slow, sure smile spread over Heidi’s features. Thick, charged air settled between them. “You want to
get naked with me?”
Eden kissed Heidi’s fingers. “More than anything in the world.” Someone jostled her as they walked past, but Eden was oblivious.
In response, Heidi’s lips pressed against hers. Candyfloss-flavoured thoughts swirled round Eden’s brain as she melted into Heidi’s kiss.
A few moments later, Heidi pulled back. “Come on then, stud,” she said, her tongue trailing along her bottom lip. “Let’s hustle.”
Eden didn’t need telling twice.
Chapter 34
The walk through Soho’s narrow, clogged streets to the hotel was one of the weirdest Heidi had ever experienced. It was late afternoon, and some people were just finishing work or shopping. Yet here they were, about to go and have sex. It was like some kind of delicious secret only she and Eden knew. Every time she caught her eye, Heidi knew Eden felt it too. It was in Eden’s smile, in her walk. Eden’s shoulders were pulled back, her chest high. She was pleased with herself, Heidi could tell. Truth be told, Heidi was pleased with her, too.
She’d been a mother first for the past two years, but Eden had made her come alive sexually again. She was beyond grateful for that. She’d always associated mothers with mothering, not with having a sex life. However, now she knew she was capable of both. It might take a little more organisation, and it might mean having sex in the afternoon, but it was something she could do. What’s more, it was something a hot woman wanted to do with her. That was a revelation.
There was a lot they could have spoken about, but once they were in the door of the glitzy hotel, all Heidi could think about was Eden. In her normal life, she might have mentioned the deep red seats in reception, the sleek Japanese-styled lobby desk, the inviting-looking bar she could see through a silver-framed doorway. In the lift, she might have registered the soothing piped music, or how polished the mirrors were. Instead, all she registered was the width of Eden’s smile, the depth of Eden’s stare, and the thud of her heartbeat in her chest.