Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
E den
After making a bag of microwave popcorn, I settle in to watch one of my favorite series. I’ve cleared the entire day for this marathon. After a hard week at work, I deserve to relax.
Naturally, not halfway through the first episode, my phone rings. I glance down and see it’s Ava. If it were nearly anyone else on the planet, I’d let it go to voicemail, but not for my best friend.
“What are you doing?” Ava asks when I answer the call, and I mute the TV.
“I’m watching something. Nothing big.”
There's silence on her end of the phone, and then finally Ava asks, “Are you watching Air Disasters again?”
The judgment in her tone comes through loud and clear.
“Yes. Is that a crime?” I wish I didn’t sound so defensive.
She chuckles and says, “No, but I don't think it's normal, especially for someone who's afraid to fly.”
“I'm not afraid to fly,” I say defiantly, knowing the truth is I loathe flying. “Anyway, I don't watch this show to look at what’s flying or what's not flying for that matter.”
Ava chuckles again and says, “I know why you watch this show, and I'm not going to lie. I think it's strange. Is this an episode with him in it?”
“Of course.” Not that I don’t watch episodes he’s not in but not usually.
“Well, should I let you get back to it?”
“Don't worry. The DVR is taking care of it.”
“Do you DVR every single episode of Air Disasters?”
She asks that like it would be bizarre if I did. “No, just the ones with him in it.”
“You don't even know his name, Eden. What's the point of this?”
The frustration in my friend’s voice is palpable. I don’t understand why this bothers her, though. So I like to watch a show about airplane crashes? Who is that hurting?
“Why does there have to be a point to it? I like looking at him, so I watch the show. It's not a big deal. And I certainly don’t need to know his name.”
“I think it might be a big deal. It's sort of weird.”
“It's not weird. You just think it is because you have your dream man, and he's always right next to you, and he's crazy about you, and he does everything you want, and he thinks you're the best person he's ever met.
Well, I don't have that in my life. Let me have fantasizing about the guy from Air Disasters, okay?”
I don’t usually resort to the you-have-everything-so-just-let-me-be defense for anything Ava thinks is strange, but I’ll use it for this occasion. It’s not a lie. She does have the perfect life with Matthias and those two little boys.
Ava falls silent for a few moments before she quietly says, “I know. I… I… I didn't mean to say that it was weird. I'm sorry. I want you to have everything I have. I want you to have the man of your dreams. I want it all for you. Is it possible this guy is the man of your dreams?”
I throw my head back and laugh as I catch a glimpse of him on my TV. “I don't think so, Ava. He's more fantasy material.”
“Okay, well, I'm sure he's hot, right?”
For a few moments, I study the man on the screen. “In an official, civil servant wearing a government uniform way, I guess. I'm not sure. All I know is he works for me. That's it.”
“All right. Well, I guess if he works for you, that's great. I'm not going to give up trying to set you up with guys, though, because I want you to not have to watch shows about planes crashing to see a hot man.”
“Aww, that’s nice and I appreciate that, but it's okay. I'm happy with my life.”
That’s another little white lie. So what? I know Ava, and if I told her the truth, she’d want to have a whole discussion about it filled with sadness and pity for me. Those are the last things I need.
No, it’s better for Ava to think I’m the friend she’s always known. Single and perpetually- looking Eden.
“Okay, then I guess I’ll get down to why I called. We’re having a little get-together next weekend. You’ll come, right?”
When I don’t immediately answer, she tries to sweeten the offer.
“You know, Marius will be there. He told me the other day he’s sticking around for a while.
I think he wants to keep an eye on Ronan.
Whatever his reason is, it’s nice to have him around.
He’s always such a good time when he comes to stay. ”
“Is he staying at the estate?”
“He is.”
Always curious about that King brother, I ask, “Why doesn’t he get his own place instead of constantly crashing with you guys? He has the money, so it isn’t like he can’t afford it.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve never asked. Maybe he likes coming back to the house where he grew up? I’m not sure, but I love having him around to spend time with his nephews, and I know Matthias likes having him around.”
I catch a glimpse of the man I like on this show and watch him for a few seconds before saying, “Well, I guess if nobody minds, it’s not like you don’t have room.”
“You know…”
Ava stops talking for a moment or two, but I can almost hear the wheels turning in her head. Ever since I mentioned being interested in Marius King almost seven years ago, she’s tried to get us together.
“What if we make the party like a sleepover? I know we’re all too old for that, but you could stay here at the house after the party. That way you can drink whatever you want and not have to worry about driving.”
I love my best friend. I really do. She’s one of the kindest, sweetest people in the world. I don’t think Ava could hurt a fly, even if she tried.
But this suggestion of hers screams desperation.
“So what are you saying? That maybe I’ll get drunk and he’ll get drunk, and we’ll end up together?”
She doesn’t answer my very pointed question and instead makes that noise that sounds like a hum that she always does when she doesn’t know what to say.
Finally, though, she quietly answers, “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, would it?
I just think you two would be perfect together, Eden. ”
“Why is that?”
“Well, I thought you liked him. Also, we’re best friends, and he and Matthias are brothers. It sounds perfect to me.”
Of course, it does. Ava would love nothing more than for the two of us to be sisters-in-law. I love her for that.
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll be at the party, and if by chance Marius and I have a good time talking and getting to know one another, then I’ll call the night a success.”
“How much more do you have to know about him? You two have talked a bunch of times. Every time you’re here you talk.”
The guy I’m watching this show for appears, so I check him out for a few seconds before saying, “And all I’ve found out about him through those conversations is he’s a bust ass who’s also a manwhore. You seem to think there’s more to him than that, but I don’t get to see that guy at your parties.”
Ava sounds utterly crestfallen when she says, “I just thought it would be nice. I hope you’ll still come to the party. You don’t have to stay the night. It can just be like a regular party we have.”
“Not to worry. I’ll be there with bells on, honey.”
And just like that, she’s back to being happy. “Oh, great! Don’t worry. It’s going to be so much fun! I’ve got that new woman helping, so the boys will be safe and taken care of while we’re having a good time.”
Her mention of the new nanny makes me cringe. I had a feeling my cousin wouldn’t be a good fit, but Ava was so desperate and Sabrina jumped at the chance since she said she loved kids. I really did hope it would work.
“I’m sorry about what happened with my cousin, Ava. I didn’t think she was that flighty to leave after only a couple weeks.”
“It’s okay. I liked Sabrina, but Lynn is good too. She’s working out great. You don’t have to worry. I don’t hold anything against you for how things turned out. Sabrina found something else that worked better for her. It’s all good.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you or Matthias to be mad at me.”
“I’m positive. Seriously, don’t worry. I was really thankful for the help she gave me, and to be honest, I think she may have helped Ronan even more, so that’s a good thing.”
Ava may be my best friend, but she’s also terribly na?ve.
I know my cousin left the job as the kids’ nanny because Ronan got back together with his high school girlfriend.
I never told Ava, but I had a feeling she might try to snag one of the brothers.
Since Ronan and Marius were the only free ones available, it wasn’t a surprise she chose the youngest King.
Marius King is simply a handful to deal with. For my cousin, that would mean far too much work.
“I’m glad he’s doing better. Ronan has always been such a nice guy.”
“Oh, he’s doing great! To be honest, I really think we have Sabrina to thank for getting the ball rolling with him.
Sure, Kate is the one who made him see there’s a whole world out there waiting for him, but it was Sabrina who helped him out in the beginning when she got here.
So you don’t have to worry. I hold no grudge against her. ”
I chuckle at the thought of Ava holding a grudge against anyone. It’s not in her DNA. Anyway, since she got the man of her dreams, she’s had a hard time being angry at anyone for very long.
A perfect life with a sexy man who gives you everything your heart desires has a way of making everything else in life seem much less important.
“Thanks. I told my aunt you would probably be cool with what happened, but she was worried. Let’s just say she wasn’t surprised Sabrina flaked. I guess parents know their own kids.”
Ava doesn’t respond to my comment, so I turn my attention back to the TV. It’s a new episode now, and from what I can see, my favorite guy isn’t in this one.
“Hey, it’s time for the boys to eat breakfast. Will I see you before the party next weekend?”
“Assuming work doesn’t grind me into dust, I could probably do something one night this week or next. Any chance you can be free? We can grab a drink or go for coffee.”
“Oh, I’d like that! Now that I have Lynn, I’m sure I can. Just let me know when. I think I hear Matty crying, so I better fly. Text me when you’re free.”
She rushes off before I can say goodbye, but that’s okay. Now I can get back to enjoying my weekend binge of my favorite show.