So Much More (Book One in the Enough Series)

27. Questions Answered

Reed

I couldn't wait to see Eden, so I headed out to her office as soon as I was showered and ready. I had told her I would meet her there and we could ride together to the restaurant. I hadn't expected to see Nick standing there, talking with Eden and a stupid amount of roses covering her desk. My heart squeezed tight in my chest; they really were dating.

Eden was in the middle of her sentence when she noticed me. When her eyes met mine, I searched them for any sense that I was wrong. God, I missed that beautiful face. Nick turned around, spotting me, and spat out his words. I could tell he was pissed but trying to remain composed in front of Eden.

I let them have their back and forth. I wanted to be the gentleman and let her handle whatever this was on her own. I knew Nick would eventually stoop to his sleazy level when he realized he wasn't getting his way. Hearing her tell him she had no interest in him thrilled me; I fought the urge to fist pump the air.

He couldn't leave it at that, though; no, Nick was a douche bag and made sure to insult her before leaving. Thankfully he admitted the truth before going, and I hoped Eden would know now that I was being honest.

"I'm so sorry," I spoke softly, stepping toward her as she stood, a look of sadness and anger on her face.

"What an asshole." She blurted. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I agree. Definitely an asshole." I nodded, watching her break into a smile. "I am sorry I'm early; I should've texted or called. I just, I was just excited to see you."

"I'm glad you're here." She spoke barely above a whisper.

"You look beautiful." I smiled; she was wearing a red dress with a short black sweater and black heels. I was drinking in every inch of her since it had seemed like forever. Eden Gray was a total knockout, her hair in light curls down around her face. Her face turned a light shade of pink with my words.

"Thank you." She pulled a chair out and sat down, motioning for me to do the same across from her. She shook her head. "This is the strangest situation."

"It is. I wanted to start by letting you know that I am very sorry. I should've been honest that very evening." I rubbed my hands up and down my thighs nervously.

"Why'd you come to the coffee shop that night?" She asked softly.

"Eden." I shook my head. "I heard Nick talking shit about going on a blind date; I didn't like it. It didn't sit well with me that he would stand up some woman because he was a dick. I thought about my sisters in that situation, and well, I just thought maybe I would go instead. So, I did. I planned to just talk to you a bit and keep you from dealing with being stood up, and then I would go on about my way. I never anticipated that it would ever come up again. I didn't anticipate you."

"It was out of pity?" She chuckled, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

"No! Not at all! I was just trying to be the good guy. I meant no harm, and I certainly had no intention of wanting more, but you... well, you're pretty awesome, and that date with you was the best time." I reached across, taking her hand into mine, intertwining our fingers and rubbing its back with my thumb. "I tried so many times to admit the truth, explain it, but things would come up; there always seemed to be an interruption. When I had to leave town, I was distracted, and I didn't want to tell you over the phone. I promise you, the only lie about any of this is that I wasn't the architect I pretended to be and that I wasn't the original guy for the date. Everything else, Eden, everything else is real and true."

"Well, that architect thing might be a deal breaker." She laughed, making my heart skip a beat with relief.

"Architects are pretty douchey from my experience." I countered, scooting my chair closer.

"I think I'll have to agree. Maybe I can find an athlete." She cocked her adorable head to the side, smiling at me as the few tears finally slid down her cheeks. I reached up, wiping them away.

"Athletes can be dumb sometimes too, but I think we're a lot less douchey. I mean, soccer players are pretty awesome from what I know, at least some of them." This caused her to lean her head back and cackle. It delighted me to no end. As soon as she leaned forward again, her eyes meeting mine, I went for it. I cupped her face in my hands, bending down and placing my lips against hers. It was a soft, quick kiss. But it was perfect.

"I really missed you." She whispered against my mouth before we parted. "I was so scared that all of this was just some joke or something because you felt sorry for me."

"I missed you too. It was no joke, and I didn't feel sorry for you. It wasn't like that. I just thought I would do a nice thing; I didn't want someone to get hurt because of Nick. I had no idea I would meet this beautiful woman who would have me wanting more, so much more."

"I'm trying to believe this, to trust this. I want it more than you could imagine." Eden spoke, her eyes down as she nervously twirled a piece of her hair.

"I'm so sorry I made you doubt me. I don't regret for a second that we met, but I wish I had the guts to be upfront at that moment." I pulled her hand up, lightly kissing it. "Whatever you want to know, you ask, and I will tell you. Anything. I promise."

"I think...I think it's okay. I had questions, but they are pointless now. All that matters is you and me, right?" She looked up at me with those beautiful eyes.

"That's all I care about; I was so scared that you wouldn't talk to me again or that you wanted to meet up so you could tell me to fuck off." I laughed. "When I walked up and saw Nick, my heart broke a little."

"I think Nick was taking advantage of the situation, and quite honestly, I don't want to even talk about him anymore. I've wasted too much time being silly. Gemma told me yesterday, and she's right, you may not have been the person who Tate set up on the date for me, but you're the right person who went on the date with me." Eden smiled over at me, her lips full and begging me to kiss them.

"I like this Gemma; she's right." I pulled her to me, over onto my lap, and held her close. My arms wrapped around her waist as she giggled. "You were the best surprise." I pushed my mouth into hers; our kiss was passionate, tongues dancing together in celebration. I pulled away from her reluctantly but wanted to ask her something I had been thinking about all day.

"Would you go on a date with me? I want to take you on a real first date, a do-over, I guess." I asked sheepishly.

Eden's smile melted my heart, and even though I already knew I was head over heels, this moment solidified it.

"Of course. When?" She stroked the stubble forming on my face as she looked into my eyes.

"Tonight. I have an idea, it's probably silly of me, but I hope you'll indulge me?"

Eden raised her brows before biting on her bottom lip, tugging it between her teeth. She nodded with the most adorable smirk.

"It's a date."