Page 105 of Fire and Rain
Auntie Evelyn stepped aside, and Eden entered with Maverick and the flowers, Maria following with the pastries. “No, Mila, I came to tell you how sorry I am.”
“Sorry? Why areyousorry? The bastard got your husband killed and might have murdered you.”
“He did. But before that, Charlie deceived you and betrayed your trust.”
Mila’s chin quivered, and she burst into tears.
Eden handed the flowers to Auntie Evelyn and hurried over to Mila and wrapped her in a hug. “I’m so sorry, Mila. What a nightmare this must be.”
Mila’s arms went around Eden, and for a time, they stood there, Mila sobbing on Eden’s shoulder, while Maria took Mavie, Nick, and Lina into the kitchen and gave them their pastries.
Mila stepped back, wiped the tears from her face. “Why are you being so nice?”
Eden smiled. “We might not be BFFs, Mila, but we’re family.”
While Auntie Evelyn made tea, Eden sat with Mila in the living room, listening as she shared a litany of fears.
“My attorney said I’ll probably be able to keep our rental property because we paid that off before the rat bastard started dealing.”
“It’s a place to start over. It won’t be easy, but you won’t deal with this alone. Your family will be there for you, and the women in this family are strong.”
Mila’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m thirty-one with two kids. I’ll probably spend the rest of my life alone.”
Eden took her hand. “I don’t believe that for a heartbeat. You’re beautiful, Mila. Focus on yourself and the kids for now. The rest of it will fall into place.”
Mila met Eden’s gaze. “I’m sorry I’ve been a bitch to you. It’s just… You’re always so happy, and everything you do seems so … effortless.”
Eden remembered what Baba had told her that day on their walk. “You can never know the burdens another person is carrying, but I do know this. You’ve always been good enough just the way you are. You don’t need a rich husband or a big house or four cars to be worthy of other people’s love. You just need to be happy with yourself.”
Mila’s eyes filled with tears once more. “But who am I?”
“That’s what you get to discover now.”
It was late afternoon when Eden and Maria got ready to leave, and Mila seemed to feel better. “Thanks for the flowers, and thanks for stopping by. I’m really sorry about what Charlie did to you.”
“That’s not your fault.”
When they’d gotten into the car, Maria turned to Eden and hugged her. “I overheard most of that. I am so proud to be your big sister. I’m starting to think you’re the Baba of our generation.”
Eden smiled, but she knew the truth. “I could never be as wise as Baba.”
* * *
Sean triedto fix the tie of his dress uniform. “I hate wearing this thing.”
Most of the Air Station crew were already taking their seats, Captain Walcott, the Rear Admiral, and the Master Chief standing beside the dais, talking together while they waited for the ceremony to begin.
Eden batted Sean’s hands away and took over for him, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “I love your dress uniform. You look hot. If we weren’t in public, I’d show you how much I like it by taking it off.”
“You’re the hot one. God, I love you in that dress.”
She finished, looked up at him from beneath her lashes, and ran her palms down the front of his single-breasted jacket. “Do you love me out of it?”
He couldnotget an erection—not now. “I love you even more out of it.”
“I’ll be sure to take it off later.”
He couldn’t think too much about that. “I see you all have front-row seats.”
