So Much More (Book One in the Enough Series)

23. Lunch of Lies

Eden

Monday morning came quickly. For the first time in a long time, I was excited to be busy with work. The office had been crazy, preparing for various new releases. I spent the majority of the morning organizing each setup for the displays going out. There was so much work that I had gone entirely through lunch and into the late afternoon. Finally, my rumbling stomach pulled me away from work, and I decided to take a break.

I sat at my desk for a moment, trying to decide what I wanted to eat, when I heard my phone pinging. I pulled it out, and there it was, a text from Reed. My breath hitched for a moment, then I read his message, and my heart ached at the same time.

I'm trying to give you space. I want to explain, though. When you're ready to hear it, I'll be here. I miss you.

It was nice to hear from him that he wasn't going anywhere and was respecting my need for space right now. I scrolled up from his newest message, reading over the dozens of others from our time together, paragraphs back and forth between us, talking about our lives, childhoods, likes, and dislikes.

"That's quite a smile." I heard, nearly dropping my phone; he had startled me so.

"Hi Nick, what are you doing here?" I asked, laying my phone down on the desk.

"I came to take you to lunch." He smiled.

"Oh, I'm so busy." I motioned around the messy office. My stomach, however, was betraying me by choosing that moment to grumble loudly.

"You may be busy, but your stomach says hungry. Come on, you and me; there's a cute cafe around the corner." He reached his hand out, taking mine in his. I followed Nick out of the office area and out onto the street. He held my hand firmly in his as we went along a few blocks away from the shop.

Once we were seated at a table near the back, Nick smiled at me. I hadn't really noticed him much before, as in his appearance. He had short, dark brown hair and brown eyes. His face was rounder and definitely not as attractive as Reed's.

"Eden?" Nick spoke, getting my attention.

"Sorry." I laughed. "My brain is fried. It's been a busy day."

"No worries. I'm glad I stopped by, make sure you're eating." He smiled.

"Why did you stop by?" I couldn't help but ask.

"After everything on Saturday, I thought I would check in on you. I thought popping in and taking you to lunch would be nice."

"That's very kind of you."

The server interrupted us, taking our orders.

"I'm a nice guy, despite what everyone says." He laughed. For some reason, I had my doubts about that statement.

"I haven't heard anything good or bad," I commented, sipping my water.

"I suppose that's true; you had no idea who I was. I mean, who I was supposed to be to you, I guess." He shrugged, staring into me.

"Why did you agree to the blind date? You don't seem like someone who has difficulty finding a date." I asked, getting straight to the issue.

"Well, you know. Tate had mentioned a friend of his girl needed to get out there and live a little." He laughed. "I think he and his girl want someone to double date with?" He mused.

The things Nick was saying couldn't be farther from the truth. Tate wouldn't speak that way, and they weren't about pushing me to find a boyfriend so we could double date. That wasn't like them.

"And you couldn't make the date?" I pushed further as our server appeared with our food. I watched Nick's face as I began to eat.

"Yeah, I had already made plans with some friends, and it just didn't work out. So I texted Tate to let him know; he said he would tell you."

YOU FUCKING LIAR!! I wanted to stand up and shout. I was so sick of being lied to, and this sleazy slime ball was lying straight to my face!

I kept calm, going over our conversation on the car ride home from the soccer game. He had explicitly said he had a meeting to attend. There was no mention of previous plans with friends.

"I thought you said you had a meeting?" I quietly questioned, watching Nick for any type of reaction. Instead, he sat straighter in his seat, pausing with his fork in midair before lowering his hand to the table. He composed himself before he spoke.

"I did. I had a meeting then planned to go from that meeting to my usual night out with the guys." Nick paused. "I'm sorry that Reed misled you; truly, I am. I'm an open book, though, so whatever questions you have, please just ask."

I sat, looking at this man. I couldn't quite determine what to think about him.

"I'm just confused; it's crazy how this whole mix-up went on and unnoticed," I admitted.

"Reed and I aren't big buddies, ya know?" Nick started. "It never came up after that night. He never even mentioned that you two were dating until we ran into you and your friend at the restaurant; only then did he say he was casually seeing you."

We both continued to eat our meals in relative silence after that. I was mulling over the things Nick had said. Luckily for me, he received a call and had to step away from the table for a moment. I took the opportunity to text Tate; I wanted to get some clarity on the things Nick was telling me.

E: Did Nick tell you he wouldn't be able to make the blind date that night?

My leg bounced up and down as I waited for his response, watching the doorway for Nick to step back in.

T: No. I didn't hear from him at all that night. I haven't seen him since, and he's not responding to my calls.

I read Tate's message several times; someone honest, truthful, and genuine wouldn't avoid speaking with Tate. People who have nothing to hide, hide nothing. A gem I had heard Dr. Phil say several times during my college days of TV binging with Brynn.

"Sorry about that; work never ends." He laughed. A shiver ran up my spine, knowing that he was a liar and my instincts were right. For a moment, a very brief moment, I may have entertained the idea that he was a victim in all of this as well.

"That's true. I need to get back, actually." I stood, pulling out my wallet to pay for my portion.

"Oh no, my treat!" Nick quickly responded.

"No, thank you. I'd prefer not to accept any treats from you." I snapped. I laid the bills down and started toward the door.

"Eden, what's going on?" Nick asked, catching up to me and grabbing my arm.

"Don't touch me!" I cried out, shoving him away from me.

"Jesus, I'm sorry. What's wrong?!"

I barreled my way out of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk. I took a deep breath, turning toward him. I wasn't a fan of confrontation, and my anxiety was getting the best of me.

"You're shaking! What's wrong?" Nick asked again, coming closer to me.

"You're a liar!" I stuttered. "I know you lied about the blind date; I talked to Tate. You lied to me, to my face."

Nick jerked back as if I had slapped him across the face. A part of me wishes I had.

"Eden, let me..."

I held my hand up, stopping him. "Have a good day, Nick." I swiveled on my heels and marched back toward the bookstore. Why in the world would Tate believe I would be interested in going on a date with that man? Why would Reed be friends with him, and why did he come on the date instead? So many questions and no answers. I skipped the bookstore and headed back to the apartment.