Page 124 of Barron's Second Chance
"Still think it's the sweetest thing I ever heard," she assured him.
A thought suddenly popped into her head. It was something she thought about a lot at the time that it happened, but she soon forgot about it.
"Hey, so, um," she twisted her mouth, unsure how to bring it up without feeling silly. "A few months ago, I had a run-in with Lissa at the grocery store."
Barron turned to face her; his jaw clenched as he searched her face for any distress. "What did she say to you?" He gritted out.
Eden waved her hand away. "She said a lot of things. I forgot, it happened so long ago - the day Josh arrived in New Haven," she recalled.
Barron nodded slowly, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back against his stove. "What did she say that you remember, baby?"
She frowned in concentration. "Something about you not being over me? That she caught you pining after me or something?"
Understanding cleared his face as he stood straight. He rubbed the back of his neck, not in embarrassment like when his mom caught him, but he still looked a tad uncomfortable.
"What? Is it bad?"
Barron shook his head. "No, I'm happy to tell you, baby. I just...we've come so far. I don't want to upset you bringing her up."
"I won't be upset," she promised. "Yes, it can be awkward, and I'm not going to lie and say they'll be times that I'll think about our past with sadness. But honestly, the more we're together, creating new memories and keeping our promises to each other, the easier it’s been for me. I don't think of it with the same pain level anymore."
Barron looked relieved but still a little unsure.
"Just tell me, it's worse when you hide it."
"Shit, sorry," Barron cleared his head. "It's not bad, I just hate hurt - okay, basically when she and I were...seeing each other," he shot her a look to decipher her level of unease before carrying on, "she went through my phone and discovered...well, basically discovered exactly what my Mom did. A digital shrine of you. Internet searches, internet pages saved of you, pictures...you name it, I had it on there."
Eden sat there, stunned. Her face felt heated because even though it was very flattering that he searched her while they were apart - further proof that he hadn't just decided to pursue her when she returned - she also experienced a little secondhand embarrassment for Barron. Two people discovering your hidden obsession was just plain bad luck. A good omen for her, though.
"I creeped you out, didn't I?" Barron carefully searched her face.
"No...but I think you need a stronger password."
Barron threw his head back and laughed. "I'll just let you pick it," he teased. "Besides," he flashed his phone at her, which had a picture of Eden in a bikini with angel wings, posing at the end of a runway. "Anyone who picks this bad boy up won't have to guess who I'm obsessed with."
She rolled her eyes, hiding her smile. "You're such a dork," she teased.
Barron came around the island, suddenly somber. "Are you okay, though, baby?" He stroked her cheek lovingly. "We can talk it out if you still have doubts or insecurities."
Eden shook her head. "I know. I will definitely be open with you if I feel a certain way. And you do the same, too, please. I know you were trying to talk with me over the last few weeks, and I wasn't very receptive. But I promise to be open from now on. I also have my therapist if I get too in my head about stuff."
"How often do you see your therapist?" Barron took a seat on the stool next to her.
"I don't see her as much as I did earlier in my career. Only if I get overwhelmed with work, stressed, or feel a low moment coming on. Sometimes talking with an impartial third party is a big help. But I haven't needed her much lately. I'm able to compartmentalize my issues, she's taught me some coping tools, and I have my journal that I write in."
"Does she know about us?" He asked as he rubbed his hand up and down her bare thigh. Barron was constantly touching her. Like he couldn't bear for a body part of his not to be in contact with hers.
Eden tilted her head as she regarded him. "She knows of our history. But I haven't been back to see her since we've gotten back together."
Barron hesitated. "Maybe we can see her together? Iron out any issues that might come up?"
Eden hummed in thought. "Do you think that would be helpful to you?"
Barron shrugged. "Honestly? I never thought of seeing a therapist, but I would've done if you thought we needed it and if it would help you to trust me again."
"I don't need her help for that. As I said, you've done a lot over the last few months to smooth over any doubts I have. Will I sometimes feel a little insecure? Probably. But that comes when trust has been lost."
"See, that right there," Barron clasped her hand in his. "If you ever feel insecure about me or us, maybe your therapist - what's her name?"
