Aiden Harper

Family relations

Aiden

During our meal, Eden and I talked openly about our therapy sessions. It helped to bridge a gap between us until she made the connection between Casper and me. I had to tell her I didn't know about her meeting Casper initially. I called Casper to confirm it. Knowing I didn't intentionally set her up eased Eden's concerns.

"I didn't realize you had so many family members. But I wouldn't have since Casper mentioned his dads adopted him," Eden said.

"What gave it away? The fact Casper doesn't look like any of us?"

Eden threw a balled-up napkin at me. "No, smartass. I would have figured it out if I knew his last name. Although he has dark hair and blue eyes like you."

"Most of the Harpers have blue eyes. It's one of the most distinguished traits between us. It drives the women wild. That and tattoos."

Eden rolled her eyes while eating. "Does all your family have tattoos?"

"Not all of us, but most do. We got them for different reasons. I got them to deal with the guilt. It was the only way to feel pain in the last two years."

"What do you mean?" Eden took a bite and cheered.

"I wanted to punish myself for what happened, thinking I caused it. I had to beg my parents to sign the consent form since I was a minor. My dad understood the need but not the why. I couldn't tell them I felt unfathomable guilt over Claire's accident. I wasn't ready to open that festering sore."

"I guess we both have something in common. Not the tattoos but not feeling like we were good enough."

"I don't want to feel like that with you, Eden. I want to earn your trust and heart. You make sense in a world of chaos."

"How can you be so sure?"

I leaned toward Eden and locked eyes with her. "Because you're everything a man can want in a woman. Why would I want to let that go?"

"You have this knack for getting to the heart of the matter." Her lips curved slightly.

"It's easy with you. You make me want to open up about things. I can't explain it."

Eden leaned into me. "Then don't. I like this easiness with you. It feels natural."

"Then we agree everything feels right between us."

Eden nodded in agreement.

It was a start to winning her heart.

*******
Eden

It was exhausting to deal with Wayne and my family's truth. I tried to be the perfect person for them and got the shit end of the stick. I didn't want to be perfect anymore. I wanted to live my life how I wanted.

Aiden asked nothing from me except a chance. What did I have to lose by giving him one?

"Okay," I said.

"Okay, what?"

"Okay, to let you earn my heart and trust."

Aiden cupped my face. "You won't regret it, buttercup."

"Something tells me that I won't." My lips curved upward.

Aiden returned my smile, removed his hand, and ate his dinner. The conversation turned easy, with us talking about anything and nothing at all. We set our pasts aside with our exes and focused on us. For once, I didn't have the weight of the world on my shoulders.

******
Aiden

After eating, I helped Eden clean up before sitting on the couch and talking until we fell asleep. The next day, I woke up on the sofa without Eden. I rubbed my eyes, stretched, and sat upright when Eden walked over and handed me a cup of coffee. "Thanks," I said, taking the cup from her and sipping the coffee.