Loving Eden

by T. A. Foster

  I screamed his name as I skyrocketed off the bed. Grey crawled toward me, kissing my stomach and then my breasts as he rested beside me.

  “How is that for stress relief?”

  I nodded, barely able to form words.

  He stood next to the bed and scooped me in his arms.

  “Wh-where are we going?” I searched his face. I had just started to relax into the bed we had put together.

  “Next room.” He smiled. “We have to christen this whole damn house.”

  “But this is the only bed.” I thought about last night and the floor. I wouldn’t turn that down, despite the rug burn.

  He laughed. “Baby, the next room has a wall.”

  And just like that, I was Jell-O in his arms.

  I flipped through the reservation book in the Palm Palace office. Grey had told me there were a few customers booked into the fall, but not many.

  The goal was to turn the Palm into a year-round destination for families and couples, not a spring break hangout for one month out of the year. Spring break was an incredible way to make money, but Grey needed steady income he could count on when the spring breakers weren’t in town. Now that I was on the payroll, I needed that consistent cash flow too.

  The agreement I made with Grey was that I wouldn’t start accepting a paycheck until the motel had a fifty percent reservation rate for three straight months. It wouldn’t be much, but I’d be able to pay myself a small salary if the motel could bring in that kind of income. I had a savings account I could use in the meantime, but it made me nervous to live off it for too long. That pot was finite, and when it ran out, I didn’t have anything else to fall back on.

  I had convinced myself that my business degree had prepared me for this. I had marketing classes and economic training under my belt. If I could make an A in class, I could definitely make an A for the Palm.

  The little window unit hummed along as I scanned the calendar. It was hard to believe I had already been in South Padre for a week. I had managed to unpack the rest of the boxes, and set up the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Grey promised we could start hunting for living room furniture over the weekend.

  I didn’t think a couch was essential, but I did have a nice TV, and it was funny to sit on the floor and watch it without the usual furniture ensemble.

  I think Grey and I were finally starting to get the hang of living together. It wasn’t the same as sharing an apartment with Taylor. Whenever she and I lived together, there was a more clearly defined barrier of personal space. Living with Grey, all the personal space boundaries were blurred. We slept in the same bed, shared the same bathroom, and cooked meals together in the kitchen. Essentially, what was mine had become his, and it the same was true for his things.

  I didn’t realize he had a night routine that lasted almost as long as mine. I tried to give him his space to shave and brush his teeth. It seemed weird to hover over him in the bathroom.

  I thought he was trying to figure out how to approach my bedtime reading. The first few nights all we did was have sex, but part of me wanted some kind of normalcy. For me, that meant pulling out one of my books before I turned off the lights. I could see him from the corner of my eye debating whether he could pounce on me or not. I discovered the solution was to let him pounce, and then I could start reading again.

  We were navigating through it one day at a time. So far, I was proud of us for making it this far without any major blowups or arguments.

  I looked up as he walked into the office.

  “Hey, I have to run to the mainland to pick up some things for the other rental properties. Want to ride with me?”

  “Actually, I just started digging into the reservations. Is it ok if I stay?” I wasn’t sure how long he would be gone and I felt guilty for neglecting my new job’s duties.

  “Sure. I’m picking up a new door and some shingles. It shouldn’t take me long.” He strolled over and kissed me long and hard, before retracing his steps to the door.

  For that, I would have ridden over the bridge with him. I sighed. Grey knew how to get to me every time.

  I logged on to my laptop, ready to start work on my social media campaign. I had made a list of all the places we could start posting and advertising the Palm Palace that might attract an older clientele.

  All we needed was one good pipeline, and I knew we could have the place full throughout the year. I had fallen in love with the rundown rooms and the retro accents on my first trip. With a little more upkeep, I wouldn’t be the only one.

  I dove into my marketing plan, and before I knew it, it was past lunch. My stomach started to growl.

  I didn’t feel like walking back to the house to make lunch. I realized I hadn’t stopped by to see Mac yet. I grabbed my purse, locked the office, and headed over to Pete’s for a turkey sandwich.

  “Look who’s here.” Mac’s smile lit up the bar.

  “Hey, Mac.” I tossed myself over the bar so I could give him a hug. It was good to see him after so many months.

  “How do you like the new place?”

  “Thank you so much for giving Grey the tip about your friend. We couldn’t have found a better setup, and the fact that it’s right next door to the Palm is too perfect.” When things did get busy, Grey would be only a few steps away from work.

  “Glad I could help.” Mac threw a towel over his shoulder. “Tell me what I can get you.”

  “I think I’ll have a turkey club sandwich and some fries.”

  “Just one?” His eyebrows arched.

  “Yes, Grey had to go pick up some things. I’m eating solo today.” I glanced around the bar. There was a couple on the sunset deck drinking margaritas and a guy in the corner wearing a plaid shirt.

  “Ok, one sandwich and fries coming up.” He turned to punch my order into the computer.

  “So what have I missed since I’ve been gone?” I settled onto the bar stool. Mac always had the best inside scoop on island news.

  “Have you talked to Marin?”

  I laughed. “Yes, I saw her the first day.”

  “Good. Didn’t think I could keep that news from you. Don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone so happy, but she swore me to secrecy until you got here.”

  “I think it’s the best news. She and Pick are great together.”

  “Hold on one second, Eden. I’ve got a customer I need to check on.” Mac excused himself from behind the bar and walked to the corner opposite the makeshift stage.

  I thought back to my first night in South Padre. This is where I met Pick and Connor. After playing pool with them all night, I felt like we had gone to high school together or maybe even grew up on the same street. Things were a little awkward with Connor once he realized all my attention was on Grey, and then there was that situation when I found out Grey used to date Connor’s sister. But the island and the circle of friends were too small to let those things create bad feelings. We let it go.

  I turned my attention to Mac. His voice rose from the corner, but I couldn’t pick up the conversation. He returned to the bar, slightly flushed in the face.

  “Everything ok?” I wasn’t sure I had seen the easy-going bartender agitated.

  He pulled the towel from his shoulder and wiped the bar until I was certain he could see his reflection. He huffed. “Yes everything is fine. I shouldn’t let people get under my skin. Nothing to worry about.”

  Mac was saying all the right things, but his gestures proved otherwise.

  “You sure?” I didn’t mean to pry, but the customer had obviously said something to upset him.

  “I sent that guy on his way. We don’t need people here poking around about business opportunities and real estate. Just makes my blood boil.”

  “Oh.” No wonder Mac was upset. He liked the island the way it was. He didn’t have much patience for outsiders who wanted to alter the landscape.

  “Orders up!” the cook yelled from the kitchen window.

  Mac pivoted on his heels then extende
d his arm to grab my lunch.

  “Here you go. All ready for you.”

  I handed him my credit card.

  He waved it off. “No, this one’s on the house.”

  “Mac, I don’t need you to do that.” I tried to shove my debit card into his hand.

  “It’s a welcome home present.” He smiled and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

  There was no way I was getting him to accept it now. “Well, thank you. I like the way that sounds.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Home.” I smiled.

  He chuckled. “I’m glad you moved here, girl. Don’t be a stranger.”

  “I won’t. Thanks for lunch.” I picked up the white paper sack and headed to the Palm Palace office.

  I unlocked the door and settled behind the desk, ready to dig into the fries. There were splotchy grease stains seeping through the paper. I could run this evening on the beach, and throw in a yoga session for good measure. I hadn’t asked Grey yet about his gym. I would need some place to work out if I was going to eat Pete’s fries for lunch on a regular basis.

  I checked my email to see if any of the hotel sites I emailed this morning had responded. My inbox was full of promotional coupons, but nothing from the advertisers. I reminded myself this was a marathon, not a sprint. It would take awhile to make contacts and start a campaign for the motel.

  Grey had multiple offers from developers who wanted to buy the Palm Palace. They all had the same plan: snatch up the 1950s motel, demolish it, and build a high-rise condominium complex. He could have walked away from the money pit and cashed in a fortune, but he argued that wasn’t the reason Pops left it to him. It was the only piece of a family legacy he had, and I wasn’t about to screw that up. We could make the Palm something amazing. I unwrapped the foil from my turkey sandwich and took a big bite.

  The office door opened, and a man whose shoulders filled the frame walked through the door. It wasn’t until he was inside and the silhouette from the sun vanished that I recognized him as the guy sitting in the corner at Pete’s.

  I covered my mouth with my hand as I tried to chew and swallow the enormous bite of sandwich I had stuffed in my mouth.

  He had a deep laugh. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask you a hundred questions while you’re eating lunch.” He pulled up a chair and planted himself in front of the desk.

  I sipped on my water and cleared my throat. “Sorry.” I swallowed again. “What can I help you with?”

  He crossed one ankle over his knee and relaxed into the chair. He had light sandy brown hair, and a five o’clock shadow that gave him the look of a cologne model. He was maybe just under thirty. Small lines circled his eyes, but the rest of his face looked young. I tried not to stare, not only was it not polite, but I also shouldn’t be staring for other reasons.

  “Don’t you want to finish your lunch?” He eyed my sandwich.

  “No.” I shoved it to the side. “I’m working. Do you need a room?” I smiled and retrieved the reservation book. Grey had reverted to the old system as soon as I left. A walk-in reservation today would be fantastic.

  “Something like that.” His eyes raked over me, and I had a creeping suspicion this was not guest-related at all.

  “Ok, then what can I do for you?” I noticed his sleeves were rolled just below his elbows, a style Grey often sported.

  He leaned forward, his light blue eyes blazing. “I’m Mason Lachlan.”

  “Lachlan?” It wasn’t a common name. Grey said he didn’t have any living relatives. Who was this guy?

  “Yep.” He reached for one of my business cards I had ordered online and read the name. “Are you Eden Brady, the guest service, marketing, and planning manager?” His eyebrows arched.

  The way he read out my self-proclaimed title made me feel ridiculous. I was the only one working in the office, so I tried to come up with something professional. It now sounded idiotic.

  I nodded. “That’s me.”

  “Maybe you can help me with something, Eden.” He leaned even closer to the desk. I could smell hints of cologne wafting across my computer.

  “Ok.” I waited, hoping he would cut to the chase.

  “I need to speak to the owner of the Palm Palace. I have some business I need to settle regarding the property.”

  I didn’t mean to roll my eyes, but roll they did. No wonder Mac got annoyed with this guy. He was another investor in town, ready to obliterate the Palm and its history.

  “Mr. Lachlan?” I straightened my shoulders. “I can probably save you a lot of time. The Palm Palace isn’t for sale. Grey isn’t interested in selling it and he never will be. Thank you for stopping in.” I smiled sweetly, pressing the point that it was time for him to leave.

  He didn’t stand to leave. Instead, he reverted to his relaxed position. He chuckled. “I guess I wasn’t completely clear.” His gaze locked on mine. “I’m the rightful heir to the Palm Palace and I need to get the legal business settled. I already have a developer lined up. So if you could tell me where the other Lachlan is, I can get the ball rolling.”

  My pulse raced. What was this lunatic talking about? I pressed into the desk, my knuckles turning white. “What do you mean, you’re the heir? Grey’s grandfather left him the Palm.” I didn’t want to air Grey’s personal business, but this was insane.

  Mason didn’t seem surprised. “You’re talking about my nephew?”

  “Nephew?” I shook my head. Grey told me both of his parents were only children. This guy was way too young to be Grey’s uncle, at best a distant cousin. “Grey doesn’t have an uncle.”

  Mason sighed. “This wasn’t how I planned on meeting him, but sometimes shit happens.” He stood to leave. “Here’s my number.” He scribbled on the back of my business card and tossed it on the desk. “Tell Grey to give me a call.”

  I jumped from my seat, ready to slug the smug look off his face, but I kept my palms by my side. I couldn’t start decking people in broad daylight.

  “Nice to meet you, Eden.” He winked. “Hope I get to see you around soon.” He pulled the door behind him.

  I picked up the closest thing I could grasp, a paperweight, and threw it at the door. The impact dented the wooden panel. I slumped into my seat. What in the hell had just happened?

  I stirred the guacamole until it was completely smooth, whipping at the mixture with the wooden spoon. You might not know I had started with whole avocados.

  It didn’t take long after I moved in for Grey and I to settle into a sunset routine: drinks and appetizers on the deck.

  I loved this time of day, watching the beachcombers search for treasures, runners getting in the last workout of the day, the sun casting orange beams off the waves. It was beautiful and peaceful.

  I left the bowl of dip on the side table on the deck and walked to the fridge to grab two beers. Grey texted that he would be home in five minutes. My stomach was in knots. How was I going to tell him that I had met his supposed uncle today? I decided to grab a third beer. I chugged the first half of the beer, forgetting I usually liked to stick a lime in the top.

  “Eden, you home?” I heard Grey call from the other end of the house. I winced and the knots in my stomach started to flip.

  “Out here!” I finished the beer, before placing the empty bottle next to me, out of Grey’s view.

  He walked out onto the deck. “It took longer than I thought to get that door in place.” He sank into the open lounge chair. We didn’t have proper patio furniture. I had picked up beach chairs at Renee’s shop. They worked for now.

  I handed him the beer. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” He twisted off the cap and took a few chugs. “Damn, it’s a beautiful afternoon.” He surveyed the beach in front of us. “My favorites: chips, dip, beer, and you.” He smiled. “It doesn’t get better than this.”

  I could just blurt it out. I could say, “Hey, met this guy today who says he is your uncle.” Or, I could slide him the business card and tell him to call
Mason and find out for himself, or what if I shredded the damn card and threw it in the waves? That plan would come back to bite me in the ass.

  He looked happy, relaxed, and I was getting ready to blow that all to hell.

  “Grey?”

  “Mmm-hmm?” His eyes closed, and I thought he must be taking in the sounds of the waves and gulls.

  “I have something I need to talk to you about.” I turned in my chaise so I was lying on my side facing him.

  “What’s up, darlin’? Did you find a couch you like?”

  I winced. “No, it’s not house-related.”

  He opened one eye at a time and looked at me from the side. “Go on. What is it?”

  I held my breath. Get it together, Eden. I coaxed the words from my mouth. “I met someone at the office today.” I pulled the business card from my front pocket. “He introduced himself as Mason Lachlan. He says he’s your uncle.”

  Grey sat up, throwing his feet on the wooden deck planks. “What are you talking about?” He snatched the card from my hand.

  I lowered my eyes. “He says he has a right to the Palm, and he wants you to call him. His number is on the back.”

  “Not possible.” Grey shook his head. “I don’t have any family. Pops died, and that was the end of any blood relations I had. This guy is just pulling your leg, Eden.”

  I wanted that to be true. I prayed that was true. “Ok. I just thought you should know, and I felt like I had to give you the message.”

  If he had been holding it together, he let that strategy go. Grey erupted. “Message? He’s using my girlfriend as a messenger? Who does this guy think he is?” He jumped from the chair. He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m going to take care of this right now.” He stormed into the house, shoving the sliding glass door until I heard the door latch.