Aiden Harper

Perfection is overrated

Eden

After my counseling session with Casper, I called Raymond, aka my dad. It's a work in progress; we are getting comfortable enough to reach that point.

Raymond answered after the first ring. "Hey, baby girl."

"Hey, Raymond. I wasn't sure if you were busy."

"For you, never. What's up?"

"I had a counseling session today. Things have been topsy turvy lately."

"Yeah, they have. How did it go?"

I walked along the sidewalk, glancing around my surroundings to make sure no one was lurking. You can never tell nowadays with people. "I don't want to be perfect."

"Why would you think you need to be perfect?"

"So people will love me."

Raymond sighed, but not out of frustration, more out of understanding. "Eden, you don't need to be perfect for people to love you. Even though we just met, I love you."

I sucked air past my teeth as my eyes became watery. "You do?"

"Yeah, I do. The minute you call, I drop everything to answer the phone. I want to hear everything you say, even mundane things like the weather. I can't change the past, but I can be part of your future."

I brushed away the tears that fell. "You don't know how much that means to hear you say that."

"I mean every word, baby girl. How did the counseling session go?"

"Casper suggested I give Aiden a chance. I've been holding back with him."

"Why?"

"I'm afraid he'll break my heart like my ex did."

"Eden, I understand you have reservations about the hurt your ex caused, but don't punish someone else for their actions. It's not fair to the person who did nothing wrong."

"I know. I'm trying to get my heart and head on the same page. It's been difficult."

"There's nothing wrong with being cautious. But don't let it hinder your happiness. Those Harper folks seem decent and honest, based on having met a few. And I got news."

"What news?"

"West put a call through to his place of work, asking about any openings. I met with one of the owners via that Zoom thing and had an interview. The owner offered me a job working on the line."

"Did you take the job?"

"I took the job."

"Oh, my God."

"West is letting me stay with him until I can find a place. I already put my house and property on the market and got a few bids on it."

"So, you're moving to Michigan?"

"I don't have anything holding me here. But I have someone in Michigan who needs me."

A shiver ran down my spine to find out Raymond was moving because of me. A stranger was willing to move states for me while my family gave two shits if I was okay. While Wayne demolished both, Aiden was willing to earn my heart and trust. People I didn't know were willing to give me a family when they treated me like the gum on the bottom of their shoes. My hurt turned into anger at that realization.

"I need to call you back. I have to take care of something," I said before ending the call.

I stormed to my car, jerked open the door, and entered. Then, I drove to Wayne's workplace. I needed to return the favor of what he did to me.