Loving Eden

by T. A. Foster

  I looked into his eyes. They were strong and certain, as if he was trying to tell me more than what he could with his words.

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s my leg. It hurts all the damn time.”

  “But I thought you were feeling better?” I stared at the brace that was wrapped on the outside of his jeans. It looked constrictive.

  “Yeah, I was, but since I’ve been on it a few days, it’s hurting all the damn time.” He winced as he moved it to the side. “If I so much as think about touching you.” He stopped. I didn’t think he would finish his explanation. “I can barely move as it is.” He shook his head. “I can’t do anything else. That means nothing in bed, the shower, the office…” He watched me closely.

  “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” It all made sense. For the first time in weeks, I was relieved, but at the same time, I was irritated Grey hadn’t been honest about the pain he was in.

  “I kept thinking I could get past it. I didn’t want to stay away from you, but it just seemed easier that way. Last night, it hit me what I had been doing was hurting you more than my damn leg.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, ignoring the throbbing pain in my temples. I could take aspirin later. “Thank you for telling me.” I inhaled the minty scent of his aftershave. It felt like there was balance in my world again as I lingered against his neck.

  “We good?” he asked before peeling me off his torso.

  I nodded. I wasn’t ready for him to go to work. I wanted to figure out how we could work through this. We needed each other, and without physical intimacy, we lost part of our ability to communicate. I knew there was more to us than sex. I didn’t doubt how strong our feelings were, but there was no denying we thrived on the fiery side of our relationship. It was an important part of who we were as a couple.

  “What if I stop in for lunch today?” He pulled a crunch under his arm and balanced on his good foot.

  “Sounds good. But Taylor will be there.” I wondered how she was feeling this morning.

  “I’m glad she’s here, darlin’. I know you need your friends.” He kissed me on the cheek then stacked the crutches to move forward.

  “And I’m supposed to help Marin with wedding stuff today, too, but that’s not until later. I think Taylor is going with us.” I hoped my hangover faded fast. Marin would be high on satin and lace.

  “I’ll call you and see what you want me to pick up.” He hobbled out of the room.

  I picked up the cup of coffee he had brought and took a sip. My head might hurt, but already this morning was turning around.

  Taylor pulled wide sunglasses over her eyes as she walked into the sun. She looked worse than I felt. It seemed unlikely we would order any more pitchers at Pete’s while she was here.

  “How long do you have to work today?” she asked.

  I led her to the pool gate and let her in, noticing how loudly it squeaked. “Not very long. Grey’s coming by to bring us lunch, and then we have wedding planning with Marin.”

  I tossed a few pool towels on an open chaise for my friend.

  She lowered herself onto the first one as if she was worried the world might tip. “Ok, good, so I can just veg here all morning?”

  “Yep. Veg away. I’ll text you before lunch.” I headed to the gate.

  She pulled a bottle of water from her beach bag. “I’ll take a little nap, catch some rays, and—” She stifled a yawn. “—relax.”

  “Have fun. You know where to find me if you need anything.” I pointed to the office.

  My step picked up as I crossed the parking lot. If I could knock out a couple hours in the office, I’d be free to spend the afternoon with my two closest friends. The two had never met and I had a few reservations about them hanging out together. I brushed that aside. It would be fine. Marin was getting married. That would be the focus.

  Swirly cursive letters read Maria’s Bridal Boutique. Marin parked in front of the windows lined with wedding dresses. I had never ventured into this part of Brownsville. Taylor looked skeptical.

  “I can’t wait for you to see the dress.” Marin pulled the keys from the ignition. “This is my second fitting, so I’m hoping I don’t have to have any more alterations done.”

  Taylor and I followed her into the store.

  Half of the boutique was bordered with assorted cocktail and prom dresses, while the other half was like a sea of white frosting. I had never seen so many wedding dresses in my life. Satin, tulle, lace, taffeta. It was everywhere.

  “It’s our favorite bride.” A woman with a tight white bun and tailored blue suit appeared from behind a curtain. She kissed Marin on the cheek.

  “Hi, Miss Maria.” She turned to us. “This is my friend, Eden, and her friend, Taylor.”

  I shook the woman’s hand. I couldn’t help but notice how regal she looked.

  “Are you ready to try on your dress? I have it for you in the first dressing room.” She ushered Marin toward the row of cubicles. “You girls are welcome to browse or have a seat. We’ll be right back.”

  Taylor darted to the cocktail side of the store. “Eden, look at this one.” She picked up a bright pink dress and held it against her body.

  “You should try it on. It looks like you.”

  “No, I don’t have an occasion to wear it.” She shoved it on the rack. “I think it will be awhile before I have anything fancy enough for a dress like that.”

  “Are you missing Jesse?” I held up a light blue strapless gown. I loved the color.

  “Jesse?” She laughed. “No way. He never would have taken me to a nice place any way, or invite me to a wedding. We were headed nowhere.”

  “Doesn’t mean you can’t miss him.” I wanted to try on the dress in my hand. I held onto it. When Miss Maria came back, I would ask her.

  “Did you miss Brett when you two broke up?”

  I stopped admiring the dress and turned toward her. “No, I guess not. I thought I would miss the relationship part with him, but I didn’t.” I never looked back once Brett and I broke up.

  “Plus, you had Grey.” Taylor checked the tag on a black cocktail number.

  I shook my head. “It wasn’t like that right away.” I thought about the days leading up to Grey and me sleeping together. Granted, it was fast and furious, but I never felt like my relationship with Brett was a part of it. We were over long before I set foot in South Padre.

  “He seemed much happier at lunch than he was last night. Did you two have a talk or something?”

  “Actually, we did.” I smiled. I felt like we were starting to fuse together the electricity that had always lingered between us.

  “Good, because I like him.” She tucked the black dress on the rack. “Where is this bride?”

  Marin appeared from behind the curtain and stepped onto a pedestal.

  “Marin, you look amazing.” I walked toward her. Miss Maria was holding a veil to the side, ready to plant on her head.

  “Thank you. You like it?” She faced her reflection in the bi-fold mirror.

  “I love it. Pick is going to go nuts when he sees you in this.” I admired her silhouette and the lines of the dress. It was made for her.

  She twirled a few times. “I think I’m ready.” She looked down from her perch. “What’s that dress? Are you going to try it on?”

  I forgot I was holding the blue gown. “I was thinking about it.”

  Miss Maria reached for the garment. “Right this way, dear. You can change in here.” She pulled back a curtain, revealing a full-length mirror and a chair. “Let me know if you need any help.” She hustled back to the bride.

  With the wedding only a few weeks away, I needed a dress to wear. I hadn’t planned on trying any on today, but when the dress speaks to you, you have to listen. I walked to the main area of the shop to see if I had bride approval. Taylor and Marin were laughing about something. It was good to see them getting along. Taylor hadn’t been subtle about her jealousy. It was hard to
watch old friends make new ones.

  “Look at you.” Taylor whistled. “You have to get it.”

  Marin smiled. “Is it for the wedding?”

  I nodded. “I think it would be perfect.”

  She agreed. “Get it. Grey will love it.”

  After our talk this morning, I had butterflies again whenever I thought about him. “All right. This is the one.”

  Marin stepped down from the stage in front of the mirrors. “Taylor and I were talking, and we have come up with an idea for tonight.”

  “What’s that?” I just noticed the tag on the dress. It was two hundred and fifty dollars. Definitely more than my fashion budget for the rest of fall.

  Taylor squealed. “We’re going to have a bonfire. Marin said she would invite all of Pick’s friends. I might meet a cowboy after all.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  “Do you think Grey will be up for it?” Marin asked.

  “I don’t know. His leg is still bothering him, but I’m sure we can go for a little while.” I hated to think about him getting sand in the brace or trying to navigate the beach on crutches. We’d have to think of something. I laughed at the idea of trying to haul him around in a beach buggy.

  “Ok. It’s settled. I have a wedding dress. You have a dress to wear to the wedding, and tonight we are having a big party.” She giggled and walked to the curtain. “The bride has spoken.”

  Grey looked almost edible in his T-shirt and jeans. I watched as he tightened the straps on his leg brace. His crutches leaned against the bed. I had vowed to make things easier for him until he was completely healed, but all I could think about right now was crawling on top of him and kissing him like there was no tomorrow.

  “What’s wrong, pretty girl?” He pulled himself up from the bed, and arranged the crutches for support.

  I fastened the clasp on my necklace. “Nothing. I’m ready. Are you?”

  “Yep. Let’s go.”

  I held the door for him to the deck so he could maneuver out of our room. I couldn’t wait for those crutches to be history. Surely, they would be gone by the wedding.

  Taylor was waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. She had walked from the Palm.

  “Hey, girl. Hey, Grey.”

  “Hey.” I hugged her when I reached the sandy landing. “Ready to meet cowboys?”

  “You bet I am. If you could meet one on this beach, I figure I can too.”

  I heard Grey laugh behind us. It was true. The night on the beach at the local bonfire had changed everything for us. It was the first time he kissed me, and the first time I realized I couldn’t ignore my feelings for him no matter how hard I tried.

  The fire was roaring by the time we approached the crowd. There weren’t as many people circled around as spring break, but it was during the week and people had jobs and school. I wanted Taylor to have a good time.

  Marin and Pick were standing near the coolers. “Carolina!” Pick shouted and headed in our direction.

  “There are two of us now.” I laughed. “Pick, this is my friend, Taylor. We were roommates at Carolina.”

  He grinned. “Oh yeah, Marin made me invite all my friends for you. Welcome to our little beach party.”

  Taylor giggled. “Thanks for the party. Ok, point out your hottest friends.” She was on a mission.

  She surveyed the crowd in front of us. A small group was gathered around the speaker and another was pouring drinks into red cups.

  Taylor tapped Pick on the shoulder. “Who is he?” She nodded across the fire.

  Before I could steer her or Grey in another direction, I heard him mutter.

  “Who invited that son of a bitch?” He started around the circle.

  “Grey, wait.” I tried to hold him back, but he was already on his way to confront Mason.

  Taylor looked at me. “What’s going on? Who is that guy?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Trouble.”

  “Wait. Is that the uncle?”

  I nodded, but didn’t stay to rehash details. I had to get over there. Grey anchored his crutches in the sand.

  “What in the hell are you doing here?” He almost spit the words. I stood a few inches behind him.

  Mason smiled like a pirate and held up his cup. “Good party, nephew.” He chugged a few sips.

  “I asked you what you’re doing here. You’re not welcome at this party.”

  Mason’s eyes widened. “Is that so? Because that girl over there invited me.” He pointed to a brunette I had never seen before.

  “She’s new.” Grey tipped forward, his chest expanding.

  “Come on, I don’t see why we can’t all just get along.” Mason chuckled. “Eden doesn’t feel that way about me. She likes having me around.”

  My cheeks burned from the instant embarrassment.

  Grey lunged forward, his chest inching closer to Mason. “You think she likes the daily lists and insults you shove under the door?”

  “Aww, she knows I’m trying to help her. Right, Eden?”

  Grey’s deep voice growled over the waves. “Leave her out of this. It’s between you and me. You shouldn’t be at the Palm and you shouldn’t be here.”

  “Look, nephew. You don’t own the whole beach or all the women.”

  I could see the vein in Grey’s neck pulsing. Mason was lucky Grey was on crutches, or he would have been decked by now. I knew nothing would make Grey happier than to see Mason flat on his back. The tops of Grey’s knuckles were turning white from the death grip he had on the handles.

  “Hey, I brought a round of drinks.” Taylor skipped toward us with a stack of red cups in her arms. The interruption cut the growing tension.

  “Thanks.” I took one from her arm and held one for Grey.

  “I’m Taylor.” She extended her hand to Mason, her eyes glowing. I had seen that look at too many parties and mixers to count.

  “Mason. Nice to meet you.” I saw the devilish light in his expression. This was not good. “Would you be interested in a walk on the beach? My nephew and I need some space.”

  Taylor looked like she might devour him on the spot. “Lead the way.”

  I watched as they walked into the dark closer to the shore, Mason tucking a hand around Taylor’s waist.

  “Dammit.” Grey held out his crutches to sit on one of the logs. “See what I mean about him?” He searched my eyes.

  I sat next to him and handed him his cup. After last night’s stay on the bathroom floor, I didn’t think I’d ever drink again, but the limey beer mix tasted good.

  “Grey, he’s trying to get to you. It’s obvious. And you let him.” I didn’t want to be too hard on him. Mason was like an immortal mosquito to Grey, and he always took the bait.

  He sighed, staring into the fire. “I know. He’s got an angle. I hate angles.”

  I surveyed the shoreline, trying to make out the shadowy figures of Taylor and Mason. “I think right now his angle is my friend.” I frowned.

  Grey took another swig of the drink. “At least it’s not you.”

  I rested my hand on Grey’s leg. I didn’t expect things to unfold like this, but Mason was preoccupied. So was Taylor. I thought we’d be laughing, listening to music, and sharing stories with Taylor. I wanted her to get the full picture—all the little things that made me fall in love with the island—but instead we were on opposite sides of the beach and I couldn’t see her.

  Grey seemed to be relaxing with each flick of the flames. The fire had a way of doing that for him.

  “Did I tell you I found a dress for Marin and Pick’s wedding?”

  “What color?” It looked like he was studying my throat.

  The air between us was thick, or maybe I was feeling the heat from the bonfire. I bit down on my lip. “It’s blue. I would probably call it Carolina blue.”

  “What about that black one you wore in Mexico?” His fingertips trailed over my hand.

  “You’ve already seen it. I wanted something different for the wedding.”


  He shot chills down my spine as he brushed the hair from my neck and kissed the spot below my ear. He whispered, “I can’t wait to get rid of these crutches, and this brace.” He pulled my hand farther up his leg. I had to resist the temptation to tighten my grip.

  I faced him, reading his hungry eyes. I missed that look on him. It was all-consuming and possessive. I wanted him to act on it.

  “Grey…” My voice trailed off as his lips moved closer.

  “There you are!” Marin piped in over the music.

  Grey sat up, straightening his leg. I couldn’t help notice the way his face contorted when he moved it.

  “Sorry.” Marin laughed. “Eden, I had a quick question for you. Grey, can I steal her for a minute?”

  “No problem.” He squeezed my hand.

  I followed Marin away from the blaring speaker. Someone was cranking up the music. A few couples started dancing. I took a couple deep breaths, trying to ground myself.

  “What’s up?” I asked. She looked nervous.

  “I got a call from one of my cousins today. She was supposed to be a bridesmaid, but she can’t fly in for the wedding.”

  “Oh, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”

  “Well, I was hoping maybe you would like to be a bridesmaid.”

  “Me?”

  She nodded. “I know it’s late notice and I understand if you don’t want to.”

  I hugged her. “Of course I’ll do it. I’d love to be one of your bridesmaids.” I was glad to see a big smile on her face. I couldn’t disappoint the bride.

  “And don’t worry about the dress. The blue one you picked will be perfect.”

  “But what are the other girls wearing? I’ll wear a bridesmaid dress.” I hated to return the pale blue gown, but I didn’t need it anymore if I was going to be in the wedding. I didn’t want to stand out from the other girls. That was Marin’s job.

  “Oh no. It’s gorgeous on you. The girls chose their own dresses, much to my mother’s horror. I didn’t go the traditional bridesmaid route.”

  “Really?” I got to keep the dress.

  “Yes, they each have different styles and colors, so yours will be perfect. Now I’m going to go tell Pick we have even numbers again. Get back to your man.” She swatted me on the butt.