So Much More (Book One in the Enough Series)

3. Giddy

Eden

I couldn't stop the smile that overtook my face on the entire drive home. I went into this crazy date expecting the worst. Reed was a pleasant surprise, to say the least. I felt giddy, buzzing with the excitement of having such chemistry with someone. I hoped he had felt it too. I believed that he did. When I opened the apartment door, Tate and Brynn were snuggled up on the sofa, movie credits rolling up the television screen.

"Finally! I was starting to think you were gonna have a sleepover!" She jumped up with a squeal, leaning over the back of the sofa. "Details!"

"You were asleep two minutes ago; how are you this awake now?" Tate groaned, standing up to stretch. "I hope the date went well; I'm going to bed so you two can enjoy the girl talk." He winked at me before giving Brynn a quick peck and then heading down to her room.

I slipped off my shoes, going into the kitchen for a drink with Brynn on my heels. Once I quenched my thirst, I grabbed my phone and started toward my room. I could hear Brynn scrambling to catch up to me, huffing with impatience.

"I had a really nice time. He was charming and lovely." I smiled at her, trying to hold back to not show just how much I had enjoyed the date. I rummaged through my dresser, pulling out some comfortable clothes for sleeping.

"Will there be a second date?" She asked, hands clasped together as she leaned on the door frame.

"I mean, it hasn't been planned but. . "

"But, you hope so!" Brynn squealed. "I'm so excited!"

"Just don't go crazy, ok? It was one date." I wiggled out of my jeans and slipped into my silk pajama bottoms. "We'll see how it goes, as long as you butt out from here." I stood, giving her my most serious look.

Brynn sighed, then rolled her eyes at me. "I'll do my best. I'm so excited, though!" She grabbed me in for a hug, then gave my cheek a peck before rushing off to her room. I didn't want to admit it to her or even myself, but I was pretty excited too.

Reed

It had been about two weeks since my non-date date with Eden. I had promised myself it was a one-time thing, then I went and exchanged numbers with her. I spent the first few days after the date trying to convince myself to delete her number and just let it go. Instead, I convinced myself I'd be hurting her feelings more if I didn't reach out, she would think the date hadn't gone as well as it had and might even think I had no interest in her. So, I stepped further into the mess and texted her. Her texts were just as sweet as her, and I always seemed to find myself with a goofy smile after reading one of them.

"What are you up to today?" Hugh grumbled with a mouth full of some kind of cereal.

"Ah, just some random things." I gulped the last of my juice. "What about you?"

"You hanging out with the new girl?" He asked with a smirk.

"New girl?" I questioned, confused.

"The one you're constantly texting." he quipped.

"I'm not... No. There's no one." I stuttered out. Smooth, real smooth, Reed.

"If you say so. You're like a lovesick puppy though, just sayin'" He laughed, dropping his dishes into the sink and slapping my back on his way down the hall.

I returned to my room to grab my things before heading out. I had a few things to check off my to-do list before meeting Eden for lunch. I couldn't help the smile on my face as I left the apartment, knowing I would be seeing her again. Though I was smiling, I felt a twinge of guilt at how we came to meet. I wondered if, at this point, it really mattered; we enjoyed talking with each other, and so what if I filled in for someone else. Would Eden feel that way when she found out? Should I tell her now? My smile faded with each question I had.

I did my best to shake off all the negative thoughts as I pulled up outside the apartment complex Eden had given me the address to. I confirmed the apartment number and then made my way up. I shook off any nerves I had and lightly knocked on her door. I waited for what felt like an eternity. Once she opened the door, my wait was made worth it. She looked flawless in a light blue sundress. It stopped midthigh, snug around her waist with short sleeves. Her brown hair was in a little ponytail, and her makeup was minimal, though she didn't need it anyway.

"Hello." She smiled, bringing me out of my gaze.

"Hey. You look, wow. You look amazing." I stuttered out.

"Thank you." She blushed, looking down at her dress and then back to me again. "Are you ready?" Eden reached behind her door, pulling her purse back with her as she stepped out toward me and closed the door. I couldn't help myself. As she was closer to me, her scent filled my lungs. I leaned down, giving her a soft kiss on her cheek, then taking her hand in mine. I promised myself I wouldn't let things get this far, yet I was again unable to control myself. I'd never felt such a pull toward another person.

"I'm starving, and I've been looking forward to spending some time with you all week." She held onto my hand all the way down to my car. She leaned into me for a moment as I opened the door before she climbed in. Once I was inside, I turned to look at her again, all rational thoughts leaving my brain.

"My roommate was teasing me about smiling all the time; I think it's safe to say I was also looking forward to this." I laughed.

"How's the stadium coming along?" Her question caught me off guard for a moment.

"Um, it's going good. Should be complete within the next two months." I lied, feeling completely disgusted with myself.

The drive was thankfully short to a little deli I had picked out to take her to. It was one of the first places I found with the best sandwiches when I moved here. The restaurant happened to be on the pier, so a perfect spot to go on a rare sunny day. The smile on Eden's face as we walked along the sidewalk toward the pier entrance was doing things to my heart that no amount of exercise had ever done.

"What did you get up to today?" I asked, wanting to know every tiny detail of how she'd spent her time.

"Do you want the truth or something that sounds way cooler than I really am?" She laughed. I raised a brow at her, curiosity filling me now. "I did laundry, caught up on some terrible television shows, then took a ridiculously long bath before getting ready. I'm a wild woman, I tell ya."

I don't know what I expected her answer to be, though I loved her response. I had gone on a few dates in my time here, and the women, while nice enough, were absolutely void of anything real. Everything with Eden felt so genuine; there was no facade. What I saw is what I got. A beautifully sweet and kind woman who was confident in herself, not requiring my time and attention but wanting it. I never felt so lucky in my entire life.

"I've quite possibly beat you on the wild front." I teased as we approached the deli. "I paid a few bills, then quickly cleaned out and washed my car so that you wouldn't be forced to ride along in the mess that is my life." I winked down at her.

"I appreciate that." She squeezed my hand she had been holding during our walk.

"Know what I think?" I leaned down, close to her ear. The smell of coconut shampoo filled my nostrils. "I think we're pretty awesome." She nudged me with a laugh as I leaned back up. We approached the deli at the perfect time, beating the lunch crowd. We ordered our sandwiches and sides, then sat together at one of the small tables just outside.