Page 59 of Barron's Second Chance
With a smile of thanks, she moved past Kelly into their front hallway.
"Let's go into the kitchen." She put a hand on her elbow to stop her progress. "I do have to warn you - Barron's here."
Eden gave Kelly a small smile, twisting her hands in tense disquiet. "Yeah, I saw his car." She swallowed hard, hoping her discomfort wouldn't show through her features.
Sure, as soon as she saw his car, Eden stopped in her tracks and actively turned around to leave.
But then she stopped short and chastised herself for being sensitive.
Eden was so excited by her news, but after spending time catching up with Joshua, she came out of her room to find Kelly already gone.
She left straightaway, wanting to see Kelly’s face in person when she told her that she had a replacement that would blow Michael Gong out of the water.
So she squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and surged towards the Carter residence. Who cares if he was here? They could be friendly with each other. It's his mom she came here to see, after all.
But as Eden came through to the kitchen area and spotted Barron seated at the kitchen island, she almost paused in her step as her previous uneasiness returned.
She hadn't seen or spoken to him since their "talk" part two, and although it started well, it certainly didn’t end that way.
Kelly rubbed her back encouragingly, reminding Eden she was here for this woman who she loved and would do anything for. Causing strain between them all was not something she wanted.
"Hi, Barron," she quietly called out to him.
His head shot up as he turned around in his seat so suddenly, almost dislodging himself. His mouth was agape for a second before a wide smile split his face. He jumped up, eyes devouring her intensely as he made his way to her.
Eden shifted uncomfortably, sure that Kelly could witness the acute way her son was eating her up with his eyes.
Although, from the way Barron was keenly zeroed in on her, she didn't think he cared how it looked to his mom.
She was having trouble not reciprocating his overt perusal herself. His arms were bared in a gray tank, his biceps defined and bronzed. He looked delicious, and she cursed her body's reaction.
"Eden," he greeted, his voice low and intimate. "Are you here to see -"
"Your mom," she interrupted before he could say more.
She didn't know whether he had discussed with his parents their side meetings, but she wanted to keep them private, especially since she was unsure how things would be between them once she left New Haven.
She didn't want Kelly or her mom getting their hopes up that something would happen between them, friendly or otherwise.
Barron stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowed in confusion at her response. She spied a hint of disappointment on his face, knowing that he thought she was here to track him down, just like she did when she came to his office on Wednesday.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Kelly asked in the strained silence.
Remembering why she came here, she turned to Kelly and grasped her hands, attempting to ignore the heat-seeking body towering behind her.
"You left before I could tell you. The performance for the fair," she squeezed Kelly's hands as the other woman's face fell.
"I have the perfect replacement act for you."
Surprise and relief lit her face, and she started bouncing a little on the spot. "Who?"
"Joshua Gates," she proudly said. At the frown on Kelly's face, she realized that she probably didn't know who he was by name, or maybe not even who The Living English were.
"He's -"
"The lead singer of The Living English!" She exclaimed before a high-pitched squeal sounded out as the older woman jumped up and down on the spot.
Eden laughed at her antics, pleasure coursing through her at being able to help Kelly out.
