Chapter 28
twenty-eight
. . .
Jordana
Morning light streamed through the bedroom window, haloing Gavin’s tousled dark hair. Our noses brushed.
We were really together.
“Hey,” I whispered.
“Hey. I could lie here all day with you.”
“Same.” I stretched, and the clock on his nightstand caught my eye. “But I should check on Eden. It’s almost nine-thirty.”
He sat up, giving me a disbelieving, delighted smile. “Want breakfast? Actual breakfast? For both of you.”
“That sounds amazing.” Kissing him, I climbed out of his enormous bed.
My costume lay on the floor in a heap of gauze. Gavin and I had showered quietly last night, so as not to wake Eden. He’d been shocked that I actually used his shampoo to wash his manly essence out of my hair, which was twisted in a bun until I could get home and style my curls properly.
“Can I borrow some clothes?” I asked. “Not that the shabby fairy look isn’t the height of morning chic.”
He swept a hand at the closet. “What’s mine is yours.”
Wearing a loose black tank top of Gavin’s, I padded into the living room. Eden lay on the futon, one arm flung over her eyes, Buttercup perched on her chest.
Her arm dropped away, and she groaned. “I have the mother of all hangovers.”
Her flower crown lay on the rug. Paint still smeared her face, and her bedraggled dress was twisted up around her body, showing off the hot pink bikini.
I held out my hand. “Morning, sunshine. Let’s get you hydrated.”
Eden flailed around for the plaid blanket and pulled it half-heartedly over her legs. “Where’s Gavin?”
“Making us breakfast.”
“Breakfast? Hot, talented, and he cooks?”
Gavin emerged from his bedroom, fully dressed. He raised an eyebrow but made no comment as he headed for the kitchen.
I covered my smile, snickering alongside Eden. Sitting up, she groaned into Buttercup’s beak, while I rubbed the back of her head.
“Oh, that’s good,” she muttered. “God, Jorie, I’m such a lightweight.”
“You drank enough for both of us last night. I’ll ask Gavin for some Advil.”
Eden grabbed my wrist, halting me. She peered longingly at the borrowed black tank top, the hem falling to my thighs.
“What’s it like?” Intrigue lit her eyes, but a pleading undertone shadowed her voice. “Having something for real.”
I thought it over. “It’s new. No labels yet. He probably wants to be cautious after his divorce, and—”
“He was married? You never mentioned that.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “That’s a big deal.”
“I know. We don’t have a map or a game plan or — or a script. It’s an adventure, I guess.”
“We.” Eden rubbed Buttercup’s fur. “I can’t believe you’re a ‘we’ with a guy. It’s just…so different.”
I peered at her, trying to read her face. “Is that okay?”
“Totally!” She nodded vigorously, then clutched her forehead. “This is good for you. Change is good, right?”
We settled around the dining room table as Gavin brought over scrambled eggs and toast, orange juice, a pot of coffee, and a bowl of blueberries. He set a box of apple cider donuts in the center.
He was relaxed and smiling, at ease in the role of host. It made me feel warm inside.
Eden wolfed down her scrambled eggs. “Best hangover cure ever.”
Gavin pushed the blueberries toward her. “Feeling okay? You went a little wild last night.”
She shrugged, her cheeks turning pink. “My life is boring, Gavin. I sleep, eat, study, and do theater. I’m always cast as the sweet girl. When do I do anything exciting? Never. It’s time to spice things up.”
Gavin and I exchanged a look.
“You’re perfect the way you are, Eden,” I said. “You don’t need to change.”
Eden snorted. “I don’t want to get left in the dust. What’s the point of living if you stick to your same old ways?”
“True.” Gavin looked pensive. “More coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
As Gavin went to put the coffee on, Eden’s smile took on a wistful tinge. Cradling Buttercup, she pulled her phone from her purse, checking the screen before sighing and putting it back.
Was she hoping to hear from Corey? Who’d said tonight’s show would be different?
That tonight, he’d be changing too?
After breakfast, Gavin walked us to the door.
“Break a leg.” He kissed me and smiled at Eden. “I’m sure you’ll both be amazing.”