Page 100 of Barron's Second Chance
He opened his arms, and she moved into them without hesitation. She wrapped her arms around his waist as he encircled her shoulders. He could feel the sadness radiating off her, and although he, too, was in pain, a part of him was happy to know that she was just as despondent over her leaving as he was.
"I don't think this is quite what your mom pictured when she told us to take our time saying goodbye," he joked.
Eden gave a snort of laughter, and her body shook in amusement. He pulled back, cupping her face. He took in her downturned mouth, weary blue eyes, and pink nose. He could feel tears burning at the back of his lids, but he blinked them aside as he gave her what he hoped was an encouraging smile.
"This isn't goodbye," he told her, "I'll be seeing you again real soon."
She returned his smile with a shaky one of her own before clearing her throat and stepping out of his embrace. "I really do have to go now." He reluctantly released her as she moved toward her bags.
"Let me help," he told her. "You take your carry-on, and I'll take the bigger case."
She nodded, murmuring her thanks before making her way to the front door. With a heavy heart, he picked up her bag and followed his woman out the door.
Because that's what she was. Not a casual woman he was dating. Not a casual woman he was fucking. She was his woman. Period.
22
Fashion Week
"SobeforeIhitthe runway, I take a moment," Eden clasped her fingers into a crab pose, reached up, and brought it down slowly while taking a deep breath. "Others like to say a little prayer or cross themselves. I just take a deep calming breath, close my eyes, and then," she opened them, giving the camera a steely gaze. "I'm focused; I'm ready to go."
She moved towards the start of the runway and then proceeded to strut down. "Most important thing, keep your head up and your confidence high. The crowd can tell if you're nervous, and that energy seeps into your body language."
As she neared the end of the aisle, she continued chatting to the camera as if it wasn't there. "I know this sounds silly because you're literally movingbutremember to move your body. You don't want to look like a stiff walking statue."
Eden stood at the end of the runway. "Now, this is where you can add your own little flair. But remember, it has to be in keeping with the brand you're representing. For example, when I do Victoria's Secret, I'm sexy, I'm confident."
She put her hand on one hip and jutted it out. "I might give a saucy wink to the camera or blow a kiss. But if I'm doing streetwear, I give a little attitude while I walk, and then bam!" She gave a cursory glance at the empty space in front of her before turning to walk back down. "I'm too cool for you; not gonna give you more than a second glance before I'm strutting away."
Eden was in her element.
Fashion Week had come at her in full force. Her days started at the ass crack of dawn and ended late at night. She had back-to-back shows most days, so she was constantly rushing from one venue to the next.
Her face had been touched twenty-plus times a day, and her hair had been straightened, curled, pulled back, or slathered with gel just as often. On top of the shows were the after-parties that Eden's agent heavily implied she had to attend. They were crucial networking opportunities so she didn't mind them too much. Once she showed her face and worked the room, however, she would sneak out.
So when she was asked to present a Masterclass for the NYFW streaming service, she jumped at the chance. She had already done a segment for a popular fashion magazine's YouTube channel, so her agent passed her name along. This is what she loved to do - teaching her craft and being a role model.
Her mood had definitely improved compared to when she first arrived back from New Haven.
Eden was always a little sad when she left home after a visit. She missed her mom. The home-cooked meals she devoured. The hours of conversations while binge-watching some trashy Real Housewives show.
She missed wandering the quaint sidewalks with Ryan and Sofia and having sleepovers and tipsy wine nights while she spilled the tea on certain celebrities she'd seen and hung with at industry parties. The quiet, small-town life was always welcome after a long spell spent in the loud madness that was The Big Apple. So Eden would leave each trip with a sad farewell and a heavy heart.
Once she hit the bright lights of New York, however, her yearning for home faded, and she happily slotted straight back into her routine. She loved her apartment - her own little place that she bought herself. As soon as she opened her front door, she felt at peace, and all thoughts of missing New Haven vanished as she pottered around, replenishing her birdfeeder and taking in the sounds of the city on her balcony. It was small since she didn't need space when she traveled so much. But she was completely house proud - apartment proud, rather.
The novelty of living in New York had yet to wear off. It always excited her. The bright lights, the restless energy, how it was always humming with activity, even at three in the morning. She even enjoyed watching the tourists with their wide-eyed wonder as they took in the city they had seen in movies. She didn't mind how the sidewalks were teeming with people. Everyone in a rush on their morning commute or to get home. She loved people watching - seeing the different cultures and how diverse it was.
Even though Eden was a small-town girl at heart, she got a buzz out of living in the big city. It never failed to revive her low mood after leaving her mom and friends behind.
This time around, however, something felt a little...off.
When she landed at La Guardia, Eden felt a deep gnawing sensation down in the pit of her stomach. That knot stayed there throughout her shuttle ride home until she arrived at her apartment.
Even still, as she entered her home, she felt a little off-kilter. Her once home away from home felt quiet. Empty. Sad.
When she was forced to leave her apartment to stock up on groceries, all she felt was weariness. A bone-deep tiredness that she knew had nothing to do with lack of sleep. Walking around her neighborhood usually gave her a feeling of exuberance. Now, she was annoyed at how many people she had to sidestep. The oblivious tourists that justhadto stop in the middle of the sidewalk to take selfies. All things that she had previously smiled at now made her huff in annoyance.
It wasn't until a couple of hours later, when her phone lit up halfway through unpacking, that her somber mood lifted.
