Page 69 of Barron's Second Chance
On the one hand, she risked opening her heart up to be pulverized again by this man and suffer the repercussions that could cause.
And yet, on the other hand...the other part of her - the part she used when she said yes to moving to New York, yes to posing topless for Linger Denim, yes to moving to Paris for four months for a beauty contract - that part of her sat like a devil on her shoulder, coercing her into a different direction.
Watching the conflicting emotions on her face, Barron sighed before framing her face with his big, warm hands. He lifted her eyes to his before leaning forward and kissing her forehead gently.
"I won't pressure you for a firm answer tonight," he murmured against her skin before pulling back and reluctantly letting her go.
"I'll go. But, baby, that doesn't mean I”ll give up."
With one final long look at her, Barron turned on his heels and left.
16
Better Than You
Edensmoothedouttheedges of the blue comforter she had just placed on the bed in the guest bedroom. She knew it was too hot for such a heavy blanket and that Josh would likely kick it off the bed, but it was aesthetically pleasing, and she wanted everything to look perfect for when he arrived.
She pulled her phone from the back pocket of her shorts and checked the time. Josh last texted her when he left Philadelphia Airport in the transfer car she had organized for him. So taking into account the traffic, which she looked up in advance on the traffic app on her phone, she guessed that he would be arriving within the next forty minutes or so.
Eden sank down on the bed, giving her body a moment to rest. The past few weeks had passed by in a frenzied blur. She distracted herself by keeping busy, hoping her restless energy would expel itself if she didn't stop to wallow.
She filled her days helping Mike move a few of his personal belongings from his bachelor pad to the new home he would be occupying with her Mom. Even though he wasn't officially moving in until Eden left, he got the ball rolling by putting his apartment on the market and was currently waiting on offers.
She also decided to do a spring clean on the house - well, a summer clean. She went through her room, clearing out her drawers and wardrobe of old clothes and knickknacks.
She faltered for a moment when she'd come across the old shoebox where she kept personal mementos of her relationship with Barron. She hadn't opened that box in years, choosing to stuff it into the dark corners of her wardrobe.
She hesitated for a moment, conflicted on whether she should throw the whole box away or succumb to temptation and take a peek down memory lane.
Her heart twisted at either option, so, in the end, she shoved the box back into the dark recesses of her wardrobe.
Eden knew why she was so unsettled. Why she had so much restless energy that she was forcing herself to stay busy. If she stopped for even a minute to reflect on the last couple of weeks, she would find herself replaying the last time Barron was here.
Her fingers would trace her mouth, recalling the gentle yet firm way he kissed her. The way his long fingers had buried themselves in her hair, how they traced the curve of her neck and brushed against the stiff peaks of her nipples.
Although his physical touch did stir up long-concealed emotions, what affected her the most were the words he spoke to her.
His declaration of love was overwhelming. It sent a shot of adrenaline and, she admitted, a tiny bit of thrill down her spine. She had suspected that he wanted to try and renter her life in a romantic capacity, but to discover that he was still in love with her? It was staggering to think about.
It had been so long since they were a couple, and given how their relationship ended, she couldn't be blamed for believing that his feelings for her had dwindled a bit - until she was just a memory, a past childhood love gone awry.
Did she still love Barron after he cheated? Of course. His betrayal didn't lessen the love she felt for him. Her respect and trust in him had taken a nose dive, however. But never her love.
She couldn't pinpoint precisely when that love started to wane. Was it when she moved to New York and busied herself with her new career? Was it when she threw herself into the spoils that came with the industry she found herself in?
When did that love fade?
Because, of course, it faded. It had been seven years, after all. She'd had other sexual partners, including one she could deem a relationship. Just because she hadn't allowed herself to adequately address her feelings after the fact didn't mean they were lurking away somewhere, waiting for a trigger to set it off.
His last appeal to her also conflicted Eden. She still had yet to give him a firm answer, taking his statement that she take her time, that he would still be here waiting, to heart.
She was acutely aware, however, that she only had a week left in New Haven.
While Barron didn't physically crowd her, he did do little things to remind her that he was in the wings, patiently waiting for her.
He texted her daily. Sometimes it was a simple good morning or good night message. Other times it was just to tell her about his day, that he was thinking of her, and reiterate that he would wait for her as long as she needed.
He also sent her reminders, little anecdotes, of their past relationship.
