Page 63 of Barron's Second Chance
Unfortunately, even the swoon-worthy actor who played Simon Basset couldn't tempt her thoughts away.
So she switched it off and attempted to concentrate on a mystery thriller novel that had gotten rave reviews. On her fourth try at reading the first chapter, she also gave up on that.
The doorbell sounded just as she was about to cut her losses and call it a night.
A jolt of awareness settled low in her stomach.
Ryan was out tonight at a birthday dinner, Sofia was in New Jersey, and her Mom certainly wouldn't be ringing her own doorbell.
That just left one person.
As she made her way to the front door, heart in her throat, she just knew. Knew it was him.
She hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the lock, dancing her fingers around the door chain; her mind conflicted.
Somehow she knew that if she let him in, heard him out; it would either make or break them. And she still had no idea which direction she wanted to take.
The peal of the doorbell caused her to jump. And at that moment, she quickly made her choice.
"Hi."
The evening air was still warm, so he hadn't changed from his gray tank and shorts. His hands were deep in his pockets, shoulders hunched into himself as he gave her a small smile.
His body language read hesitant as if he was unsure how his presence would be received by her and seemingly on the defense to tuck tail if she felt provoked.
She shifted uncomfortably as his eyes drifted down her form, almost bulging as he realized how little she wore.
Her short navy blue and floral satin nightgown was certainly not suitable for company. Definitely inappropriate to wear in front of an ex-boyfriend whose current relationship could only be described ascomplicated.
Despite the warm air, she felt her nipples pebble against the soft material. Wanting to appear unaffected, she subtly pulled the lapels of her nightgown tighter together, hoping her forearms covered the stiff peaks.
Barron came out of his trance. He swallowed hard and darted his gaze away before sweeping down her bare legs again as if a magnet kept drawing him to her.
Finally meeting her eyes, he took a shaky breath.
"You have every right to say no, but can I come in?"
Her hand tightened on the door, indecision causing her to falter for a moment. If she invited him in, how would their talk end this time? With frozen silences, angry taunts, and hurt feelings?
She was so tired of arguing with Barron, of being angry and triggered by their conversations.
Sensing the hesitation in her, Barron held his hands up, the universal sign of surrender.
"I don't want to keep hurting you, Eden. I swear," he punctuated.
“I need to explain what went down Wednesday night in my office. I know you don't have the best opinion of me; that's my fault. But I swear to you, that night with Tracey was a misunderstanding. Please let me explain.”
His impassioned plea broke something in her. She opened the door wider, stepping back to allow him to enter.
"I don't want to fight anymore, either."
Relief swept over his face as he brushed past her, causing goosebumps to prickle the fine hairs on her skin.
He turned to her as she closed the door. "Thank you. I won't take up too much of your time."
She nodded and gestured for him to go ahead of her. With his body on this side of the door, she was even more keenly aware of how skimpily clad she was. Her robe fell a good few inches below her ass, but while she was wearing panties, her robe did inch up a bit when she walked.
Barron sat on the end of their couch, rubbing his hands up and down his thighs in his usual nervous tell.
