Page 71 of Thanks for Coming Along

For a fleeting moment, a spark of hope ignited within her—maybe it was Ronan. But then reality crashed in, reminding her that she had made the decision for him. Eden couldn't ignore the massive amount of work Ronan had poured into building his career and achieving his current success. Any connection with her was a scarlet letter, a stigma that would likely tarnish his credibility as a journalist. She knew what she was asking him to give up if they were together, and the thought of being the one to take it all away from him was too much to bear.

Quentin rose from the couch and made his way to the front door. Eden sat up, watching as he approached the door and turned the knob. He pulled the door open a crack and a small figure pushed open the door with a shove. A fiery streak of auburn hair sliced into Eden's living room, catching her by surprise. She watched, her eyes widening, as Sadie Murphy marched purposefully up to her couch.

"You look like shit," Sadie said, her green eyes assessing Eden coolly, lips pursed. She stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze fixated on Eden, who was slumped on the couch.

"Good," Sadie said simply.

Eden knew she must appear completely wretched; her eyes were likely bloodshot and swollen from hours of relentless crying. She felt as broken as she looked.

"I should kick your ass, but it looks like you've been doing that to yourself," Sadie remarked, a tinge of compassion softening her expression as she took in Eden's disheveled appearance.

Quentin hovered near the edge of the couch, trying to stay out of the way. Sadie's eyes cut toward him, narrowing in suspicion like she only just realized he was there.

"Who are you? Her shitty bodyguard? I could have been a crazed stalker, and you just stand there like an oaf," Sadie snapped, eying Quentin as if he were a speck of dirt under her shoe. Her sharp eyes inspected him, totally at odds with her soft features and freckles.

"How did you get in here anyway? You need a code to get through the gate," Quentin huffed, his muscled arms crossed over his chest.

"Jumped the gate," Sadie replied with an air of nonchalance, punctuating it with a casual flip of her auburn hair. Quentin, bemused, mouthed the words "jumped the gate" and nodded in acknowledgment.

Sadie stared at Quentin for a few seconds, her brows furrowing before her eyes narrowed in realization.

"Oh my god, it's you? Nowthatis rich," Sadie said, laughing. Quentin looked just as confused as Eden felt.

“And you don’t even recognize me. Typical,” Sadie added with a humorless laugh. Eden was about to ask Sadie what she was talking about. How did Sadie know Quentin?

"I almost didn't recognize you without the unitard," Sadie remarked, trailing her eyes over his large frame.

"It's not a unitard, it's a stealth suit," he mumbled, the tops of his cheeks stained pink. “I’m sorry, do I know you from somewhere?” he asked with confusion, his thick eyebrows furrowed.

“Don’t worry about it. I know how you Hollywood types are. You don’t even register people who aren’t in your tax bracket,” Sadie said with a sniff. Quentin opened his mouth to say something, but Sadie cut him off.

"Are you here to swoop in and save the damsel in distress? That's a little up Superman's alley," Sadie said with a roll of her eyes.

"Who are you?" Quentin's voice held an edge, his brows furrowed, and the subtle grind of his teeth hinted at his building frustration.

"And no, off duty," he rolled his eyes. "I am here to help Eden. Not that it's any of your business. She is my friend,meddler."

Eden had never seen Quentin so frustrated. Interesting... Usually, nothing seemed to rattle him. Quentin was always pleasant, especially with people he didn't know. There were a few times Eden could think of when he had snapped, but it was rare and usually reserved for being overprotective about her or his family.

"Well, you can help by skedaddling, maybe slip on a unitard and fly away? Or whatever it is you do. I need to talk to Eden." Sadie waved him off dismissively. Quentin's annoyance was palpable; his narrowed eyes regarded Sadie with a blend of irritation and disbelief, while she smiled sweetly as if her barbs hadn't just pricked his pride.

"It's fine, Quentin. Let her say her piece," Eden muttered, feeling like a kindergarten teacher stuck mediating between the two.

“She’s been through a lot. Maybe you shouldskedaddle,” Quentin huffed, completely ignoring Eden.

"Been through a lot? You should see the state my brother is in. He's an absolute mess," Sadie retorted, shaking her head, frustration etched across her face.

Eden felt a sharp pang at Sadie's words. She had wanted to believe that Ronan was fine, that he wasn’t as affected as she was. But all she could think about was his face when she walked away from him four nights ago. He had looked on the verge of breaking in half, like his world had collapsed. The image haunted her since, only adding to the weight of her own heartbreak.

"I am trying to figure out how you could break things off with him when I know for a fact you are in love with him," Sadie’s words cut through the tension, leaving Eden acutely aware of the unresolved feelings hanging heavily in the air. Eden drew in a small breath, wondering if she was that transparent.

"Don't even bother trying to deny it. I saw you two together, and it was sickening," Sadie remarked, scrunching her nose in disgust.

"Look, it's for the best," Eden replied, her tone filled with a hint of resignation. Best for his career but dismal for her. The words tasted bitter in her mouth, but she forced herself to say them. She had convinced herself that she was doing the right thing, even if it tore her apart inside.

Sadie rolled her eyes. "For the best? For who? You think ruining both your lives is for the best?" Her voice softened slightly. "He’s miserable, Eden. And you look like you’re barely holding it together. Is this really what you want?" Sadie's voice softened, her earlier anger replaced by genuine concern.

No.

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