Page 71 of Barron's Second Chance
From there, they exchanged numbers and became genuine friends. If they happened to be in the same city, they would meet up for dinner or just to hang out. She'd stayed at his London flat a few times, and he at her New York apartment.
They remained close even after she turned her back on the hard-partying lifestyle.
But it was nothing more then. Nothing romantic or sexual.
It wasn't until Joshua suddenly kissed her out of the blue one boozy night at his London flat. He confessed that it was something he had wanted to do for a while.
On paper, they suited well. They were both in the entertainment industry, both good-looking, and both had jet-setting lifestyles. So she agreed to one date.
They had such a good time that she mistook it for sexual chemistry when really it was two friends who were so comfortable with each other that everything flowed easily.
So she agreed to another date. And another. And another. Until finally, they decided to see each other casually.
Sex with Josh was good. Great, even. But there were times when she lay there, staring up at the ceiling as he moved over her, forcing herself to feel just a sliver of the fiery sexual chemistry she had experienced in a previous life so long ago.
By the time the general public caught wind of their relationship, it was already the beginning of the end for them. They rarely saw each other as it was, their schedules more often than not conflicting.
Yet, when they were together, it felt like she was reconnecting with a best friend. They clicked as people, just unfortunately only as friends, not lovers.
Eden opened the fridge, her eyes running over the two gallons of milk she bought, the full block of cheese and Mountain Dew that Josh loved. Her cupboards were stocked with his favorite chips, chocolate-covered raisins, and ramen noodles. She always teased him that he had the food palate of a five-year-old.
"Fuck, teabags!" She groaned aloud, just now remembering that she forgot to pick some up for him. As an Englishman, Josh was very precious about his tea, and he usually had one in the evening after dinner and again before bed. And then two in the morning.
Annoyed at herself for such a rookie error, she grabbed her keys. She would have to run to the store quickly to pick some up since she didn't want to go out later once he arrived.
She hopped in the car that her mom had left for her to borrow while Josh was in town and made the short drive to their local grocery store.
Usually, she would walk, but she was conscious of the time running away from her. The last thing she wanted was for Josh to arrive at her house while she was out.
As Eden stood in the air-conditioned beverage aisle at the store, she tapped her fingers against her chin as she surveyed the tea options. Josh was usually a Yorkshire Tea man, but they didn’t carry that brand at their local store. She knew he could do Tetley, which she had previously seen stocked here somewhere.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another shopper ambling down the aisle toward her. They suddenly stopped a few feet away before continuing their path straight for her.
She groaned inwardly, praying it wasn't someone she knew who wanted to chat. She was in a time-pressure situation here.
She felt their shopping cart come a bit closer than necessary to her. Ignoring them, since they hadn't spoken to her, Eden assumed she was standing in front of a product they were after and shifted a step to the side.
"You know, I can't seem to understand why Barron's still hung up on you."
Surprised and a bit shocked, Eden turned towards the sound of Lissa's nasally voice.
The other woman glared at her, her still pretty features screwed up with open hostility.
As Eden quietly studied her, she noticed the same look she had seen on her face since they were teenagers - pure, unadulterated hatred and jealousy.
For the first time, the heartbreak and jealousy she previously experienced whenever she thought or saw Lissa dulled significantly at the sight of her.
She wouldn't go so far as to say she felt sorry for Lissa, but to be carrying such contempt for another woman - for no reason considering it should be Eden ramming her cart into Lissa - it was a sad sight to see.
Exhausted by the other woman's immaturity and drama, Eden ignored her, turning back to inspect the box of tea bags in her hand.
Outraged at being dismissed, Lissa let out a snort of derision.
"You think you're so much better than us," she sneered.
Eden sighed, tucking a box of Tetley's under her arm.
"No, I don't. But ask me if you think I'm better than someone who's still caught up in high school drama, then yes, I do think I'm better than them."
