All That Charm: (A Morning Glory Novel Book 3)

by Liz Talley

  “I don’t know,” Eden said. “I mean, I think so but it’s much more complicated than it is for you and Jess. Y’all are ready to settle down, and I’m not there yet.”

  “Settle down?”

  “I want more than love, Rose.”

  Rosemary frowned. “You make it sound like it’s an either or. I have a career too.”

  “I know. Being in love is a good thing, but—”

  At that particular moment, Jess plopped down on the blanket. “What’s up, buttercups?”

  “Jess!” they both cried in unison.

  Jess laughed and dove in for a group hug.

  “You didn’t tell me you were coming to the Easter egg hunt!” Rosemary shrieked in Eden’s ear.

  Laughter burbled up in all three women, and any thoughts of love, career, and hard choices got shelved in favor of enjoying the surprise of them all being together.

  “I decided to come at the last minute. Mama needed me to help with Bitsy Timwell’s baby shower. I sent my money to be a hostess but then felt guilty because I was going to bail on the shower tomorrow. Then I saw on Facebook that Eden was here, so I drove up this morning.”

  “Yay,” Rosemary said, clapping her hands. “We’re all here together. I’m so happy.”

  Eden grinned. “We haven’t been together since I left in January. Lacy would be thrilled to know we all came to the Easter egg hunt.”

  “She so would,” Rosemary agreed, grabbing their hands and giving them a squeeze. “She’d be ecstatic to know Eden is the hottest act in New Orleans! And has a boyfriend.”

  Jess pushed back her curly hair and studied Eden. “So it’s official, huh?”

  Eden shrugged, a smile curling her lips even as her heart echoed the dread of what was to come between them. Was Nick her boyfriend? Would they stay that way? Or would NYC be a deal breaker? “I guess so.”

  For now.

  “So have you bought a charm yet? We might actually complete Lacy’s bracelet in under a year,” Jess said.

  Eden shook her head. “I’m not sure I’m at that point. My dream wasn’t about a boyfriend.”

  Rosemary tugged the hem of her shorts and looped her arms around her knees. “But you’re famous in New Orleans. And you’re in love.”

  Eden opened her mouth to deny she was in love but then closed it. Maybe she was in love. Maybe she’d fulfilled all that Lacy wanted for her.

  “So you’ve done it, E. Now we have to do the last part,” Rosemary continued.

  Jess snorted. “Give it to someone with no hope? That’s silly. Lacy—”

  “—knew something we didn’t,” Rosemary finished. “You can’t attach the charms and not do the last part. We have to finish it.”

  “I haven’t attached a charm,” Eden repeated.

  “Let’s go look at Baker’s Jewelers. It’s open now.” Rosemary pointed at the third-generation jewelry shop that had supplied Morning Glory with silver baby cups, high school graduation rings, and engagement diamonds for more years than they could count on their collective fingers and toes.

  “Rose,” Jess said, warning in her voice. “If Eden’s not ready . . .”

  “But we’re here together. It’s the perfect time. Right, E?”

  They both looked at her.

  “Do you have the bracelet with you?” Rosemary asked.

  “Yeah, I brought it.” Eden didn’t know why she had, but it felt right. As she packed her overnight bag, she’d tossed the paisley bag inside. It felt wrong to leave it behind in New Orleans, especially since she would be in the place the four girls had found each other.

  “Then we can do it,” Rosemary said, tugging on Eden’s arm. “Come on. We’ll help you.”

  “Rosemary, stop,” Jess said, leveling her best no-nonsense glare at Rosemary. “Eden gets to decide when she’s ready. Stop rushing her.”

  “But I know who we’re supposed to give the bracelet to. Just a few nights ago I had a dream about it. When Jess showed up today, I knew it was time. In the dream we were all here in Morning Glory together.”

  “It was a dream, Rose,” Eden said, knowing her friend was a bit too romantic. Not to mention superstitious.

  Rosemary shook her head, her gaze serious and weirdly convinced “No. It was a premonition. At first I thought yeah, it’s just dream, but then Jess came and you came and . . . I think Lacy’s trying to tell us something.”

  Eden and Jess looked at each other. Eden could see the doubt in Jess’s eyes, but she knew Rosemary believed what she’d said. Rosemary was like that. She believed in signs and funny feelings. It was the Scottish roots her father proudly told everyone about.

  “So who are we supposed to give the bracelet to?” Jess asked.

  Rosemary looked at Eden. “Sunny.”

  “Sunny?” Rosemary repeated. “My sister?”

  Rosemary slowly nodded. “Lacy said we had to give it to someone with no hope. Remember?”

  Eden shook her head. “Sunny has . . .” But did her sister have hope? Sunny had closed herself off, but it was understandable. She’d suffered betrayal, grief, and disillusion in her short life. But was she truly without hope? “I don’t know, Rosemary. That’s—”

  “Right,” Rosemary finished for her. “In the dream she’s sitting by a lake crying and we sit down beside her. She tries to leave, but then Eden puts the bracelet on her arm. I saw it. The sun hit the bracelet. Sunny rips it off and throws it into the lake. I’m not sure why, but it was definitely your sister.”

  Jess’s eyes widened. “That’s weird.”

  Eden glanced at her sister sitting across the square. Sunny’s dyed red hair flashed in the sun, and she looked noticeably thin. When Eden pictured Sunny, the perfect golden girl always came to mind. Once upon a time, Sunny’d had a smile that matched the brilliance of her future, but now she was an empty shell of herself. Sunny’s future was uncertain and currently she seemed to merely exist. Perhaps Rosemary was right. Maybe Eden’s sister was the perfect person to fulfill Lacy’s last wish.

  But was Eden ready to attach a charm to the bracelet? When Rosemary and Jess had done so, they’d been certain they’d fulfilled their part. Eden wasn’t. She’d fallen into a good relationship and found some success in her career. But in a week she’d leave for NYC, and everything she had now could unravel. Was what she had now enough to say she’d lived her dream? Lacy hadn’t said anything about a happily-ever-after. Maybe the months of hazy, precious goodness in New Orleans was enough.

  Eden redirected her gaze, finding Rosemary’s. “All right. Let’s find a charm. Maybe Sunny needs that bracelet.”

  Jess crinkled her eyes. “You think?”

  They all looked at Sunny. Eden’s sister stood and tugged down her shirt, staring off into some world they couldn’t see. Even at this distance, she looked lost.

  “Yeah, maybe so. I hope Baker’s has something that works. What are you thinking, E?” Jess asked, pushing off the ground.

  “Maybe a music note. Or a songbird. Or maybe a dancing slipper?” She turned to Rosemary, who’d already risen. “What was my charm in your dream?”

  “I couldn’t tell. Just pick what you want.”

  “Oh good, you’re letting me do something.” Eden grinned, standing and looking around for Nick. She spied him in the long line at the Lazy Frog. Sassy was busy scooping as her husband Duane ran the register. Eden texted Nick that she had to run an errand and to not let her ice cream melt.

  He sent a smiley face emoji back. Sophie had insisted on teaching her father to use them. She’d even made him a Bitmoji that he swore looked nothing like him but sometimes used just to please Sophie. Another reason to love Nick.

  “Let’s do this,” Eden said, pushing away any thoughts of love. After all, she’d have to tell her generous, loving Nick that she was leaving for NYC. He was so supportive, such a good guy, but he’d been abandoned before. Eden knew he harbored resentment against his ex-wife for leaving him. For leaving Sophie.

  Would he understand th
at she had to go to New York?

  “Come on, slowpoke,” Rosemary called, grabbing Jess’s hand. Jess looked back at Eden and rolled her eyes. But they both smiled. Because this was Rosemary. And this was fulfilling Lacy’s last wish. For a brief moment Lacy was part of them still . . . in cahoots on another crazy Lacy plan. Who knew? Maybe Lacy had a whole team of angels on her side, already doing her bidding. She probably had a heavenly megaphone, giving orders. Deliver that crazy dream sequence to Rosemary. Make sure the right charm for Eden is at Baker’s. Let’s do this. Move. Move. Move.

  The thought made Eden smile as she hurried after her two friends, waving at townspeople who called out to them, teasing them about never being apart, asking questions about Ryan, about school, about when they were going to reprise their Christmas karaoke Supremes number at the Hacienda’s Mexican restaurant. Eden wanted to tell them it wasn’t going to happen—that the karaoke number had only occurred because they had drank too many Coronas and a too-sick Lacy had begged them to do it. No matter how tangled Eden’s gut was over her future, her heart was happy to be with her friends again.

  Okay, Lacy. I’m not sure I have my happily-ever-after, but maybe you can help Sunny find something to believe in. Something that will make her smile again.

  Because if anyone up there can make things happen, it’s you, sister.

  Nick lay beside Eden, watching her stare at the ceiling. They’d made love—slow, non-bed-squeaking love—mere minutes before, and even though it had been good, he knew something bothered her.

  “What’s wrong, E?” he asked, brushing back the wispy bangs that stuck to her forehead.

  Her gaze jerked to his as her throat convulsed. Was it his imagination, or was there a sheen of tears in her eyes? “Just some stuff I’m trying to figure out.”

  “Still regretting I brought you to Morning Glory? Or have you finally gotten tired of me?” he asked, something heavy pressing against his heart at the thought. Something was definitely wrong. She’d seemed okay after the incident with her mother, but after the picnic, she’d been unusually quiet. Not at all like the woman he’d grown to lo—

  No. Wait. Not love. Wasn’t ready to go there. Yet.

  Love was serious business, and nothing so romantic as it was often portrayed—a happy couple strolling through a hazy field of flowers, heads tilted in, smiling lovingly at one another. No, love threw punches. Real love meant ferociously hanging on to commitment when you wanted to choke the person across from you. It was biting one’s tongue, pulling on shoes and doing something you’d never thought you would do just because she wanted it. Love was skipping the football game for her best friend’s dinner party, dealing with menstrual cramps, and fighting over the credit card bill. And the worst thing about love was the opening up of one’s self only to get absolutely, positively destroyed when it didn’t work out.

  But even after the catastrophe of marriage with Susan, he wouldn’t have changed loving his ex-wife. Because on the days it had been good, it was fantastic. On the days it was bad, he had the memories. Not to mention, he’d gotten Sophie in the bargain.

  Eden threaded her fingers in his. “I will never regret you. Never.”

  He gave her a kiss filled with the things he was afraid to say. “But . . . something’s wrong.”

  Her eyes apologized before she said the words. “Fredric called me this afternoon.”

  Nick didn’t speak. Because he knew. Eden had been waiting for that call her whole life. She’d told him as much when they discussed her going back to school in the fall. She’d mentioned her agent had suggested going to auditions outside New Orleans as a possibility.

  “He got me a few auditions in New York City. One’s a new show being developed. The other is replacing a cast member. If I want to pursue Broadway, I need to move to New York City.”

  “Move there? Can’t you just go for the auditions and fly back?”

  “If I had a big bank account,” she said, pushing onto her elbows. “I don’t have the money or time to fly back and forth. Often there’s not much time between callbacks.”

  “But what about Gatsby’s?” What he’d meant to say was “What about us?” but he clamped down on that thought.

  Because even though this was a good opportunity, Eden would be reasonable. She had two jobs in New Orleans. Two good jobs. She’d talked about looking for an apartment in Metairie, one closer to his house with fewer insects and corner prostitutes. He’d been thinking about asking her to move in with him. Most would think it too fast, but Eden fit him and Sophie. She’d be safe with him, and it would save her time and money.

  “Fredric negotiated a clause that allows me to break my contract for certain opportunities. He also gave me a list of places hiring waitresses, and he’s found me an apartment with a couple of other roommates,” Eden said, tucking the sheet tight against her small breasts.

  God, he loved her breasts. So small but so perfect with large, dusky nipples. But he couldn’t think about how soft and magical her body was at the moment. There was something bigger afoot. And that was no pun. “That sounds . . . less than ideal. You want to live with strangers? Bus tables for tourists?”

  Eden pushed her hair back. “No. But Broadway has always been my destination, and this is a chance—even if it’s a slim chance—to make it there. I’m getting older, and there won’t be many more opportunities like this. In fact, this is probably my only shot.”

  “So you’re going?” Even as he asked, he knew the answer. Hurt pulsed inside him, a Ninja blender pureeing any chance for a future with Eden into glop.

  “I have to.” Her gaze fastened on the antique dresser sitting next to the old iron bedstead. The light from the streetlamp outside bathed the room in a gloomy blue, but he could see the determination in Eden’s eyes. He couldn’t stop her.

  The thought of love leaving him once again became a hurricane inside him, whirling him around and around, pinning him against desolation. Self-doubt, old hurts and rejection pricked him. You’re not important enough. Same as Susan. Different verse, same as the first.

  Those bitter thoughts drove him to climb out of bed and slide into his pajama pants. Because he couldn’t stay there beside her, not when she’d thrown him aside to go wait tables in Times Square. After tugging on the pants, he stood, still feeling naked.

  “Nick?” Her voice was soft as a lullaby. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting out of bed.”

  “Why?”

  “Because.” He couldn’t say what he wanted to. He wanted to yell, accuse her of being something she wasn’t, wake up everyone in the whole goddamned place so everyone could shoulder his pain. He wanted to throw something . . . or collapse onto the floor like a toddler, surrendering to the anguish.

  Because without a doubt, he and Eden were over. Oh, sure, they’d talk about seeing each other every other weekend. They’d vow to chat every night. He’d plan a trip up to NYC. But it wouldn’t work. Their worlds would be too different, and eventually they’d trickle down to a used-to-be.

  The call from Fredric, as good as it was for her, had put the first nail in the coffin of their relationship.

  “Are you mad at me?” she asked.

  Furious. He was a wounded beast, dangerous, unthinking.

  Yet he knew he couldn’t give in to the pain. Because he wasn’t an immature asshole. This was Eden’s dream. How could he be so selfish as to stand there and ask her to give it up? “I’m . . . thinking. Just surprised.”

  “I get it. This happening isn’t the best timing. You and I are . . .” She waved a hand in the space between them.

  “We’re fine,” he said, finding paper-thin enthusiasm beneath the despair. “When will you leave?”

  She leaked out a breath. “I have to be there next week.”

  “Wow.” That sent him reeling. “Next week?”

  “Yeah, I know. That’s what I’ve been thinking about. So much to do. Like we have to find someone for Soph. Luckily spring break’s next week. Gives
us an extra week to find a replacement for me.”

  “Sophie’s my daughter and my concern. Don’t worry about her,” he said, moving away from Eden. He’d hurt for himself, but the child sleeping next door wouldn’t take this well. The thought of telling his daughter that Eden was leaving, right after learning her mother wouldn’t make her birthday party next weekend, would be like hand sanitizer in a paper cut. Serious ouchie on the way.

  “I want to help,” Eden insisted.

  “Sure,” he said, propping an arm against the window pane. “You tell her you’re leaving. I’m tired of disappointing her.”

  “Nick, I know you’re upset. I am too. I didn’t know how to tell you, but that’s fair. I’ll talk to Sophie when we get back to New Orleans.”

  Nick didn’t reply. What could he say besides “Don’t go”?

  A little voice inside taunted him. This is why you don’t get involved with employees, dumb ass. Back to square one. No nanny. No relationship. Bim. Bap. Bam.

  “Come back to bed,” she said.

  “In a minute.” He stared out the window at the shadows dancing on the lawn. The outline of the gazebo hunched ogre-like against the lawn as the wind played with the treetops. The night matched his mood. Finally he turned. “Why don’t you go back to your room? The wind is fierce. Sophie might wake up.”

  Eden’s face wore her emotions. “If that’s what you want.”

  “Might be best.” He knew he behaved immaturely, but he couldn’t pretend she hadn’t dropped something destructive between them. A scratchy ache sat in his throat, telling him he couldn’t fake tenderness or enthusiasm. Maybe tomorrow he could pretend happiness. But not tonight.

  “Okay,” she said, reaching for her billowing nightgown. It covered her from neck to toe, and he’d made a joke about her looking like someone from a Brontë novel. She’d said Rosemary had made them for all the friends as a gift. She now shimmied into it so she didn’t have to crawl naked from the bed. She wasn’t the only one who felt too vulnerable. After she stood, she came to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head against his chest. “I’m so sorry, Nick. I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”