Page 81 of Barron's Second Chance
Last night, Barron had asked her again before he left to text him today once she was free. And she had every intention of doing so. She wasn't playing games with him or holding out for him to reach out first.
After class, Eden went straight to meet with Joshua and Kelly and didn't get home until after five. When she checked her phone, she admitted that she was a little disappointed that Barron hadn't reached out himself.
Still, she had flicked him a message apologizing for the late reply and asking him if he was still free. That was over two hours ago now.
Feeling low, she picked up her glass of water and turned to make the trek to her room before a movement through her front window caught her eye. She watched as a car pulled up to the front of her house and parked. It took her a moment, but she recognized that car. And its driver.
Speak of the devil.
She sucked in a breath as she watched Barron climb out of his vehicle and walk determinedly up their pathway. Without thinking, she reached the front door, yanking it open before he could knock.
He paused in surprise, his gaze wandering and flaring over her briefly before he continued striding forwards, coming to a stop just in front of her.
She swallowed heavily as she considered his intense stare. His jaw was clenched, and his hands flexed a few times by his side.
"Barron, hi," was all she said. "This is a surprise." As he continued to stare, she rambled on. "I did text you. I know it was late, but -"
"It's okay," he softly interrupted. "I would've reached out much sooner, but I had some stuff to take care of."
"Oh." Her hand tightened on the door, awkwardness seeping through.
"Can I come in, please? There are some things I need to get off my chest."
She stepped back without hesitation. "Sure, come in."
He stepped through into her home, walking straight to their living area. He wore a look of such raw vulnerability and earnestness. It was making her a little anxious as well as curious.
"Do you want to sit?"
Without warning, he whirled around and clasped her by the shoulders. She didn't have a moment to react before he pulled her body forward, enveloping her in a tight hug.
She stood there motionless for a moment, too shocked at his sudden behavior to form any sort of return.
Slowly, Eden wrapped her arms around his waist, partly because she felt awkward standing there with her arms limply by her side. But mainly - the feel of his hard, warm body pressed against her was doing things to her. As unexpected as his gesture was, it wasn't unwelcome.
"Is everything okay?" She asked against his hard shoulder while she discreetly breathed in his clean scent.
He pulled back, but instead of letting her go, he clasped her smooth cheeks between his hands. Like a magnet, her gaze was locked onto his, and she held her breath in suspense.
"I'm hoping it will be," he said. His hands left her face, and she instantly felt bereft from his touch until he reached down to grasp both her hands in his. As if he couldn't bear not to be touching her.
"I'm going to tell you something that might make you mad," he started.
She tensed at his words, but Barron instantly tugged at her hands, squeezing them. "No. Not that," he firmly said. "Never that. Never again."
His mouth twisted in a self-deprecating smile. "Not that I blame you. I haven't really done jack shit to get you to believe in me again. In us. I've been all talk, baby, and no action."
She frowned. "I wasn't thinkingthat,"Eden insisted. And she hadn't been.
Barron only nodded but looked relieved at her answer. "I came to your class today."
Eden was stunned, speechless. "Uhhh..."
"I thought I'd take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and force you to talk with me."
Her brow knitted in mild annoyance. "I was going to message you. I told you I had a packed day; that wasn't an excuse."
"I know, baby," he sighed in frustration. "I could feel time slipping away.Youslipping away. I grew impatient."
