Paper Hearts

THEN: Chapter 7

"I am deceived as much as you are if you think I do not love you enough. Tell me, my dearest, am I?" - Dorothy Osborne.

Eden:

I woke up sometime later that day, the day after our first night, to the smell of pancakes. Ollie was sitting at the table by the window, and when he saw me open my eyes he grinned, holding out my mobile.

"I took the liberty of booking us in for another night"

I grinned too, eyes sparkling, "I was going to suggest that"

"You were, hm?" he raised his eyebrows in mock disbelief, moving to where I lay and planting a kiss on my forehead, "Then I know you even better than I thought I did"

"And you got us pancakes. I love pancakes"

"That was an easy one. Everybody loves pancakes" he kissed me again, and pressed the phone into my hand, "Your Mum thinks you're with Emma, right?"

"Yes"

"Call her" he looked closely at me, tracing the dark circles under my eyes with his thumb, "God, you look tired"

"Not nearly tired enough" I retorted, snatching at his hand to pull him down beside me, but he shrugged me off.

"Phone call first. Then breakfast. Then I might possibly consider coming back to bed"

I stuck my tongue out at him, but obediently dialled my Mum's number. I'd never been a very good liar - but then again, it had never been so important that I lie well.

"Eden" Mum sounded pleased to hear from me, maybe a little relieved, "I'm glad you called. Having a nice time?"

"A great time" I replied, smiling. Ollie winked at me and I had to turn my back to him to keep from laughing, "That's the thing, actually - you wouldn't mind if I stayed another night, would you? It's been so fun for us, having a girlie weekend, one more night would  be brilliant - "

"Of course you can stay! You've earned the right to a good time. Are Emma's parents okay with it?"

I knew then that she knew I was lying. She knew who I was really with. I could hear it in her voice. And yet, she hadn't said anything, wouldn't say anything, because she didn't want to admit it to herself - let alone discuss it with me.

"Um...yeah, yeah, they're fine with it"

"Good. Stay safe, Eden" that was the closest we would go to the topic, but it was enough to make my cheeks flame.

"I - of course. Bye, Mum. I'll call you in the morning"

"Okay. Bye, sweetheart" she sounded slightly forlorn when she said that, as though she had only just realised I wasn't a child anymore. 

Ollie was looking over at me when I hung up the phone, "Everything okay? You sounded a little upset just then"

"No, no, everything's fine!" I answered breezily, smiling at him, "Everything's fine. Now - I think I might have to try out that shower before breakfast. Care to join me?"

He laughed, looking surprised but still thoroughly amused, "Eden Copley! The suggestions you make, honestly..."

I rose from the bed, hands on hips, already pretty much certain that seeing me naked would completely change his mind, "Is that a yes or a no?"

He was silent for a minute or two, and then he grinned, a twinkle in his eyes, "Yes. That was a definite, definite yes"

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