Chapter 27

Eden

Jodie and I always stay longer than we're supposed to, even when the festivities are well under way and everything has gone off without a hitch.

There's a real sense of achievement as I stand back to admire it all and see everyone coming together. And watching the new couple, Bree and Adam, so happy and dancing around the dance floor in the hall that we set up so beautifully with deep gold and teal green hues, makes me feel like I've done my job right. The flowers chosen are a beautiful arrangement of toffee roses which are light in color between toffee and camel, adding in colorful zinnias in pink, yellow, orange and purple, and beautiful pink and pastel dahlias on each table. The bridal bouquet is a mixture of the three flowers, with the toffee roses taking center stage. There's a beautiful archway for the couple to walk through on arrival at the hall, decorated with snowberries; a gorgeous green shrub with delicate pink and white flowers, and more of the toffee roses in abundance.

The comments and feedback floating around from guests have been exceptional throughout the whole day. And I've heard many compliments directly; everything from the decor, place settings and the flower arrangement, to the whole ‘vibe' of the wedding and the way the staff have been so accommodating.

That's why I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my work. I really want it to be a special memory for the people involved, something they can look back on and feel great about. I want it to be unforgettable.

It makes me feel alive seeing people happy and enjoying themselves.

There's also a tug in my heart the way I ended the conversation with Brook tonight.

I felt awful as soon as we hung up. I know now I should have left that conversation until tomorrow where we could talk in person.

It wasn't right to start hashing it up over the phone even if I have been feeling confused about the whole thing because I'm scared. I wish I could just let go and enjoy myself for once. But I can't seem to get my brain to comprehend that notion.

Is it because I'm trying to control this situation and not let it get out of hand in case it doesn't work out again? Or worse, am I self-sabotaging?

Fear is a big emotion. And the fears I have are well and truly real, but I can't let that overrule everything and take over when I haven't given anything a chance. It's been a big week, that's what I know for sure. I don't want to do anything as irrational as I did the night with Brook without thinking it through first. I mean, I didn't mean to say that to him. I don't regret what happened between us, I'm just worried. It's not as cut and dry as he seems to think it is.

Maybe it is to him. Maybe it's very simple.

I guess I'll get to the bottom of it soon. I may even take a detour down to Moose's on the way home, apologize to him for making him feel bad. He sure sounded a little deflated while I was talking to him, and that wasn't my aim at all.

"I think we can just about call it a day," I say to Jodie, folding my clipboard over and capping my ballpoint pen. She's still as bright as a button with her chin-length blonde bob and an unwavering smile.

"It was beautiful," she says. "We got some great shots too for our portfolio. You're right about Autumn, she is a great photographer."

Yes, my bestie was here earlier for the ceremony this afternoon. I believe she also got some candid shots of the bride and groom separately when they were getting ready. I love working with Autumn, she does such a great job and she's easy to work with.

"I can't wait to see the photos," I say.

"Me too."

We call it a night and we head out to our cars. I check my phone again but there's no messages. Why Brook would text me after my phone call is beyond stupid to think.

I've probably put him off for good this time.

I guess I just see it as guarding myself. It hurt so bad that Brook and I couldn't make things work, even though we loved each other. I'm scared it would happen again, and then what would we do? We've kept our friendship over the years and there's no way I would want to lose that. We have a good thing going and a great routine for Blake, so the last thing I want to do is make it awkward.

How would it be different this time? I really have no idea if it would be, but we are older, and I guess maybe a little wiser about the ways of the world.

My cell buzzes halfway home. It's Autumn.

I swipe it to answer on speaker through the car. "Hey, Aut. Long time no hear."

It's buzzing in the background.

"Yeah, I'm down at Moose's. Why don't you come down for a drink? Are you still at work?"

"No, I just left."

"Brook is here, he's getting a drink at the bar."

"Yeah, he told me he was coming down, we had words on the phone earlier." I haven't even had a chance to tell her about my night with him with being busy all freaking day. And I only barely got time to send Carrie a quick message to say I needed to talk later about me and Brook.

Girl advice is probably what I need right now.

"Words? What do you mean?" she says loudly into the speaker.

"Nothing, it's a long story."

"You better hurry up and snaffle him if you want him. Beau has convinced him to go in the charity raffle this Friday."

I balk at that. "The bachelor auction?"

"Yeah, apparently he, Beau and Easton are all going in it, with Travis being the star attraction."

"Oh wow, I didn't know that." I wonder why he never mentioned it. My heart drops a little.

"You could bid away like a crazy woman, take him off the market for good." She giggles. "It would really send a message to anyone else trying to snag him."

"Wouldn't that be crazy." I try to sound bright, but I know I'm failing at even doing that.

"Or come grab him right now. I think Dolly Simpson and Amber Jenkins are both on the prowl tonight."

A surge of jealousy runs through me, which is ridiculous. Brook isn't mine, certainly not after one romp session. But the thought of him flirting with anyone else, much less hooking up with someone, makes my blood boil. I may not know exactly how to navigate things with him, now we've just taken a massive leap forward, but I know I don't want him showing interest in anyone else.

"God, are they both there?"

"Yeah, sure are. Why? Are you thinking about coming down here to stake your claim!"

She's clearly a bit giggly like I was last weekend, and has probably had a champagne or two after today's celebrations for the loved up couple she photographed. I know Autumn is a bit of a romantic deep down.

"No, nothing like that. I don't have any claim over him." Even if I want him more than ever before.

"You should come. Beau is heaps of fun and such a cutie."

"You've been saying that for years."

"Is it just me, or did he suddenly get a whole lot cuter?"

"A, what the heck? I didn't know you felt like that toward Beau?"

"Well, I didn't before. I mean, he's always been sweet. But since my breakup with Michael, he's been really supportive."

"He's definitely a keeper, I've always said it."

"We should meet up over the weekend so we can catch up. You sure you won't come down? It's fun tonight. No one will even remember you being carted out last week!"

I laugh, running a hand over my face. "Thanks for reminding me. I might go take a shower and if I'm still feeling half awake, I'll head down for a drink."

"Yay! Well text me, okay!"

"Will do."

We hang up and I cannot deny I'm a little rattled by the Dolly Simpson and Amber Jenkins comment. I mean, Brook and I haven't staked each other's claims or anything, but he's still a hot, single guy out there on the Stoney Creek market.

Oh, God, have I been a total fool by blowing him off tonight being Mrs. Cautious when we already slept together?

I put my foot on the gas to get home as quickly as possible so I can have a shower and go apologize, or do something to redeem my stupid behavior.

Brooklyn

I settle into the booth with Beau and Autumn. I've just seen Owen across the way and he's going to come and have a drink with us.

"You guys good?" I ask, piquing an eyebrow.

"Never better," Beau says.

Autumn flashes me a smile. "I was at the wedding today with Eden."

"Ah." I nod. There's no escaping the woman, it seems. "I just talked to her actually. I asked her to come down, but she's really tired from working all day."

And she probably won't want to be where I am right now, while she sorts out what's going on in her head anyway. I don't say that of course.

I glance at my brother. "What's so urgent I had to come down?"

Autumn glances at him.

"Later," he says, giving me a look which says he can't talk about whatever it was right now.

Ah. He made that call before Autumn showed up.

"Fine by me. I'm surprised Georgia isn't down here when they're about to tame the Moose." I glance over to where the wild Moose sits behind a barn fence in the corner. It sure is a draw card around here. I glance to the right and see Amber Jenkins waving over at me. Fucking great. I smile and nod my hello.

"Nope, I don't think tonight is the night the best of the best come out," Beau says.

I chuckle. "Only in a town like Stoney Creek."

"Don't look now, but Dolly Simpson is headed this way," Autumn whisper-shouts.

"Wonderful," I mutter, just as Owen plonks himself down next to me. "Maybe she's here for Owen…"

"Who?" Owen runs his hand through his blonde waves as he sags back into the chair.

But it's too late. Dolly is upon us looking ever the cowgirl in her sprayed on tight jeans and low-cut checked sleeveless shirt. Her huge breasts are not in the least bit contained. I keep my eyes on her face as she bounces up to us.

"Guys! I heard about the auction." She sidles toward me and slings an arm around my shoulders as I force a smile up at her.

"How did you hear about that?" Owen muses.

"No prizes for guessing, Georgia-Blue?" Beau rolls his eyes.

"Uh-huh," Dolly confirms brightly.

I'm officially going to kill my sister.

"Now, now Dolly. No manhandling the merch until auction day." Owen wags a finger.

She grins with her hands on her hips. Her long blonde hair is almost white and her hot pink nails are what I would call talons. How the fuck does she do facials or whatever shit she does at the beauty salon with those things?

Luckily, I will never have to find out.

"You!" She laughs. "Mind if I have a drink with you guys?"

I'm about to protest and try to pry her arm away when Autumn pipes up, "Of course, Dolly. We haven't seen you in ages."

"I've been so busy," she says, squashing herself next to me as I try to get Owen to move up in the booth so she's not sitting on me. That would not be a good look. "You riding the Moose tonight, Brook?" She raises her eyebrows as I take a swig of my drink for salvation.

"Not tonight, Sugar. I gotta look after myself for boot scootin' next week."

Owen nearly spits his drink out.

"He's the best boot scooter in town," a voice purrs behind us.

Amber.

I facepalm myself for real this time. Could this night get any worse?

My wife who I just confessed my feelings to, and shared an extremely intimate night the other night, is backing off and giving me the brush off. Meanwhile, I'm being manhandled by Dolly Simpson, and Amber Jenkins with her hungry eyes tells me she's about to eat me alive.

I turn my head and purse my lips while I think of ways I can slip out of here unnoticed soon. Meanwhile, another interesting leopard print outfit hugs Amber's voluptuous body. She's wearing an extremely tight knee-length dress with black cowboy boots. The material stretches across her massive rack and leaves even less to the imagination than Dolly's outfit.

"I don't know about that," I reply to the boot scooting comment.

"My little Juliette says you're the one to beat." She casts me a wink, a wide grin blooms on her face and I hear Owen snort. I glance at him.

"Why don't you have a seat, Amber? Owen is looking kinda lonely."

He kicks me under the table and I save myself from laughing.

"Ooh, did I just see Easton?" Dolly croons in the meantime, craning her neck to look behind us.

"He's coming to the auction too," Beau adds for good measure. I could kiss my brother for informing her of that little detail. Her interest piques from me onto Easton faster than I can blink.

"And don't forget Travis Hendry," Amber tacks on. "Just about every girl I know is trying to land the new sheriff."

"Sounds like the gang's all there!" Autumn chortles.

"I wonder if Hudson will come along too?" Dolly ponders, tapping her perfectly sculptured talons on her chin.

Oh Lord, she really is still trying to go in for round two with Huds, even though it was ages ago they hooked up. The guys weren't kidding.

"Good luck with that," Autumn says. "He gets out about as much as Gaitley."

"I'm going to go see if it's Easton after all." Dolly flashes me a smile of her pearly whites as she gets up out of the booth. "Be right back."

Amber is still hovering and practically pounces in her seat when Dolly is out of the way.

I'm trying to down my drink as fast as possible so I can leave. Clearly Beau and I aren't going to get that talk. He and Autumn look to be having a quiet discussion that I can't hear over the music and I wonder idly if his phone call was about her, and then she showed up so he couldn't tell me.

"So, what are you up to tonight?" Amber whispers, right about the time I'm going to excuse myself to go to the gents. Then head off.

I turn my head towards her. She's gone all out tonight with the dark smoky eyes and ultra long lashes, she favors red lipstick over much else. Again, I'm not opposed to it, but things have changed considerably in the last few days. "Actually I was just heading home."

"Haven't you got a free weekend from your daughter?" She raises her eyebrows. I'm not even sure how she knows that.

"She's at a sleepover." What the hell am I supposed to say?

"Mine too." She reaches under the table and squeezes my leg with a strong hand. Owen beside me can't keep a straight face. I elbow him as he chugs into his beer.

"Woah, there," I say as I edge up and try to get her to move. "I have to use the gents, Amber, if you don't mind."

Her face drops as she reluctantly stands and lets me out of the booth. Hopefully she'll move onto Owen by the time I get back.

I need to get some freaking air. I'm not sure what they're putting in the drinks tonight, but the women are frisky. And not the woman that I want, unfortunately.

It tugs at my heart, and I don't know what to do about it.

Do I give it some more time with Eden, or do I keep pursuing her?

That's the question. I've come this far, as well as confessed my feelings. So I make a note to myself; I'm not about to let her go now. Not if she wants me.

Some things are worth fighting for.