Chapter 37
thirty-seven
. . .
Felix
“Hey man, I’m sorry if I got you in shit yesterday. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut, but I thought Eden just misunderstood or had it mixed up, ya know?”
Matt whispers his apology as we refill ink for our next customers.
“Don’t worry about it. I should’ve told her the truth to start with. We’re good, no damage done.”
“Thank God. I really like you two together.” He glances over his shoulder at Eden on the phone booking appointments. “I’d have felt like a total asshole if I did anything to fuck you two up.”
I look at the only real friend I have and give him a reassuring smile.
“Seriously, we’re good, don’t sweat it.”
He nods.
“From now on, I’m not saying shit about shit.”
I laugh, but this is why we’re friends. Matt’s always been loyal, has my back, and is a fast learner.
“I’m going to make it up to her tonight.”
“I bet you will,” he chuckles.
“Well…that too, but…I got her a gift,” I say softly, and Matt’s eyes go wide.
“Dude, I don’t want to know what it is. I’ll probably tell her by accident. But, smart call, Eden’s a keeper.”
Matt goes over to greet his client, and I turn to stare at Eden. She really is.
The rest of the day goes by quickly. We have a steady line of clients all looking for smaller pieces. I’m sterilizing my station when Matt nudges my arm.
“Get out of here. I’ll finish cleaning,” he says.
“Thanks, man.”
“Least I can do,” he says.
This isn’t Eden’s dream job, but I love how she’s thrown herself into the work. She’s busy mumbling totals as she tills out for the night. I lean over and kiss her neck. She startles but then leans back into me.
“You almost done? I have a surprise for you upstairs.”
As she turns her head to look at me, I take advantage and kiss her soft lips. When I pull back there is a deep blush on her cheeks that makes her glow and look even more beautiful.
“Does this surprise require clothing or no clothing?” She cocks a brow at me.
“Totally your call.”
I smile, giving nothing away.
“Very suspicious indeed. Give me one second.”
As tempting as it is to distract her again, I let her finish up and then toss the locked money bag into the safe for deposit.
When she’s ready to go, I hand Eden her coat, gloves, and scarf. She looks at them and then up at me.
“I thought you said we were going upstairs?”
“I did, but I didn’t say the loft.”
Eden eyes me suspiciously.
I guide her out the front door and onto the street. It’s bitter, but the worst of winter is yet to come. February always hits like it wants everyone to hibernate for the twenty-eight days. Cars don’t want to start, the wind howls like an angry dog, and ice takes no prisoners.
Eden takes my arm, and we walk around to the front of the building. The other shops have all closed for the day. That’s good since I don’t want to get into a conversation right now. Once in the elevator, I press the button for the top floor. Then I guide Eden to the employees-only door.
Last summer, I converted the roof into a private refuge just for me. I hate that I can’t get to it from my loft, but that’s an annoyance I plan to rectify in the next year.
“Oh, my god…Felix, this is stunning,” Eden exclaims as soon as we step outside. Her feet halt, and I have to practically drag her toward the glass enclosure. “What is this?”
Eden’s eyes are alight with joy as she marvels at the greenhouse I had specially built to withstand our harsh winters. What makes this one unique is the gel-fueled fireplace that doesn’t need venting to offer a crackling ambiance.
Opening the door, I let Eden walk in first and watch her reaction closely. Her eyes dart around, taking everything in, including the low table set up with our meals covered by silver domes.
“Felix, this is like a fairytale.”
She turns in a circle and reaches up to brush her fingers against the dozens of twinkling lights.
“Now we can grow our own fresh herbs, vegetables, and even strawberries all year. And in the winter…it becomes our escape from the city without having to travel,” I say, guiding Eden to the Muskoka chair I painted turquoise for her.
“I’m speechless,” Eden says, sitting down and sighing. “It’s so warm in here, but I can still watch the snow blowing by outside.
“So, you like it?”
“I love it.” Eden grabs the front of my coat and gives a tug. I lean in close and she kisses me. “I really needed this today.”
My smile falters as Eden leans back into the chair. I pour her a glass of Riesling and hand it over before opening a beer.
“Thanks.”
“What happened today? Did one of the customers treat you badly,” I ask, already picturing wrapping my hands around their throat.
“No, nothing like that. I got a call when you were picking up lunch from the insurance company. They confirmed there is nothing left to salvage from the house, like I didn’t already know that.
They will pay to rebuild it, but it’s going to take months, if not over a year.
And…as much as I want it rebuilt, it’s not the same. Does that sound stupid?”
“Not at all, and Eden, there is no rush. You know that I want you here with me. This just wasn’t how I saw it happening.”
And that’s the truth. If she had just said yes, and if Kyle wasn’t a threat, then I wouldn’t have had to go to such extremes.
“I know and thank you. I’m…happy here with you. And having the job does make me feel less like a freeloader.”
I pick up her hand and kiss it.
“You’re not a freeloader. So, does this mean you’ve decided to stay with me?”
“Yes, much to Kris and Kyle’s dismay.” She shakes her head. “Kyle was being really weird today. Saying things like I don’t have to stay with you if I’m nervous about it. I don’t get why he’d even think that.”
I take my jacket off, my jaw locking.
“I know they think we’re moving too fast, but they don’t understand the connection we share. It’s a shame that they don’t like me. I really want to be friends with the people in your life.”
Eden doesn’t say anything, but her smile has vanished.
“Don’t let Kyle and his weird behavior ruin tonight for us. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
“You’re right, he has no place here with us.” My heart stills with her words that mean more than my next breath. Eden takes a mouthful of the wine and moans. “Oh, that’s good, so sweet.”
I smile. This is what I envision for us forever. My heart sings when she is near and beats only for her. But I still feel like I’m clinging to a delicate edge that can slip from my grasp at any time. That is why I need to remove one more fucking annoying obstacle—Kyle.
I wait until we are almost done eating and slip the small dose of Rohypnol into her wine without her noticing.
Dealing with sketchy ass dealers is not something I like to do, but this is necessary.
I can’t take the chance that Eden wakes up, but I also don’t want to give her too much. Hurting her is not the goal.
She’s still awake, but leaning on me heavily as we make our way back to the loft. I don’t bother asking this time. I pick her up and carry her up the stairs, straight into the bedroom.
“Man, I feel so…so tired and dizzy,” Eden says as I set her on her feet.
“Too much Riesling. It will do that to you. It doesn’t taste like alcohol at all,” I say, helping her get undressed and then into bed.
“Must…be,” she slurs and lies down.
I tuck her in and smooth her hair.
“St…stay…me,” Eden mumbles, and I kiss her temple.
“I’ll never leave you, Pretty Thing,” I say softly into her ear.
I wait a few minutes just to make sure she is fully asleep before I grab her phone. I redownload the SnapFace app and send Kyle a message.
Eden: Hey, I’m so scared.
Kyle: What’s wrong?
Eden: I can’t say. I don’t trust any device. Don’t say anything to Kris. Will you meet me?
Kyle: She’s going to be angry if she finds out.
Eden: Kyle, please. I need you.
I roll my eyes at the screen, knowing the fucker just got hard over that line.
Kyle: Okay, where and when?
Like candy from a baby.
Eden: Right now, he drank so much that he’s passed out and I can take his car.
Kyle: I can just pick you up.
Eden: No, trust me, I need to do this my way.
Kyle: Will you move in with us if I do this?
You would ask that, you piece of shit. Your friend is in trouble, and you’re worried about getting your dick wet.
Eden: I will.
“Do no such fucking thing,” I mock under my breath as I get changed.
Kyle: Okay, tell me where to meet you. I’m on my way.
Such a gullible idiot.
I quickly send him the location of the provincial park. The lot there has no cameras or lights for miles. After that’s done, I erase the app before placing Eden’s phone on the nightstand beside her, along with a glass of electrolyte water.
Taking all the extra pillows, I put them up against her back to help keep her on her side.
I didn’t give her very much, but I don’t want to take the chance.
The thought of her choking to death makes me sweat, and I almost change my mind, but this needs to be done.
Hopefully she will think I’m with her and just rest.
Giving her one last look, I slip out of the room and loft. It’s time to remove a very large thorn in my side once and for all.