Page 68 of Barron's Second Chance
"It's okay," she quickly told him as she stood up. She frantically corrected her clothing and tugged the hem of her gown down, refusing to look at him.
"I shouldn't have kissed you back. It was an emotional moment, talking about our history together and all that. We both got caught up."
There was a heavy moment of silence until slowly she felt Barron rise to his feet, standing close beside her.
"You said that what happened, us breaking up, was meant to be." His voice was low and firm as he spoke.
"But I call bullshit."
Startled, she glanced at him. What she saw there, his face set in steely determination, created a nervous flutter in her stomach.
"It was my fault that we parted, and I willneverstop kicking myself for that. I got us off that path with my stupidity. You keep asking me what I want out of this. Here's what it is. I want you. Not as a friend. Not as an acquaintance that I say a polite hello to whenever we see each other. I want you back in my life." And as if his words weren't clear, he added: " As my woman."
She swallowed hard, unable to compute his words and the impact of their meaning.
He stared at her intensely, steadfast and unwavering in his look.
"I love you, Eden."
That simple statement punched her in the gut with the heavy implication of what it meant.
"Always have, always will. This is why relationships never felt right for me, why I avoided them. It's you. It's always been you. I don't want anyone else if I can't have you."
She shook her head, denial at his feelings ready on her lips. "Barron, I don't think-"
"Please don't say no. Not yet." He took her hand in his, pressing a feverish kiss to her fingers as if she was a beloved queen who he was showing reverence to.
"Give me another chance, baby. I will never betray you again. I'm not the same insecure kid. I know what I want. Seven years without you has been a living hell."
She licked her dry lips. The intensity of the moment was starting to overwhelm her. "Barron... the trust, it's just not there anymore."
"Then let me earn it back."
She shook her head. Not in refusal as such, but Eden just needed a brief moment of reprieve to gather her bearings.
Barron pressed on, using her silence to his advantage in getting his point across.
"Let me ask you this - if I hadn't fucked up, would we still be together?"
She snapped her mouth shut before giving him a long indignant look.Of course, they would be.
"Then let me build on that. You don't have to give me an answer now. Just let me know that there's a chance."
She rubbed her head wearily. "I don't know, Barron. Obviously, there are... feelings," she said pragmatically. "Maybe unresolvedfeelings.But in saying that, too much has happened. We're two different people now."
"Then let's get to know each other again. Let's build on these feelings," he implored her.
"Please just think about it. I'll wait as long as you need - no time limit. I know you're returning to New York soon, but that doesn't matter. I'll fucking fly to you every weekend if that's what it takes."
He held his hands up. "If you feel like you still can't forgive or trust me by the end, then I'll back off. I promise."
"I have a packed schedule before I go back to New York." She was unsure what she meant by that. Perhaps she wanted to see just how much he meant his words.
Relief flooded his features, taking that simple offering and running with it. "That's okay. We'll just reconnect until you go, no pressure, no expectations."
Except she did feel the weight of his expectations. The pressure and hope in his gaze were akin to a child begging for a cherished item in exchange for good behavior.
She was conflicted herself.
