Page 77 of Time Out

The women loved. Hard.

It was no wonder why Eden was suspicious of me.

There was a quiet clinking of glasses as Dave raised his glass for a toast for people loving us, but my hand trembled as I brought my drink to my mouth.

I’d once been so worried about the people in Davis’s life not loving me, not liking me and not trusting me, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

It was my family that was going to lose their minds when they found out what was going on, and I had no doubt they’d turn it into a media production of all the ways I’d abandoned them, turned my back on my faith, and was readying myself for eternal damnation.

Awesome.

Davis and I were probably going to have to figure that out sometime soon, too.

Jim and Dave were on the Buchanan’s front porch, and Davis had his keys in his hand, saying good night to Mama B at her front door when Eden came around the corner with her teeth digging into her bottom lip.

“Can I talk to Maggie really quick?”

“Everything all right?” Davis asked.

“Girl talk.” Eden grinned, and it looked awkward on her face, something Davis noticed.

“What is it?”

I settled my hand at his bicep. “It’s fine.”

“You sure?” It wasn’t like she was going to hurt me, but considering she’d only marginally thawed toward me at dinner, it probably wasn’t going to be a conversation that turned us into besties.

“Go wait for me outside. I’ll be right there.”

He kissed my temple, murmured “hurry up” and I couldn’t fight the shiver the brush of lips or the gravel in his voice elicited.

Eden nodded her head toward the formal dining room, and I followed her there.

“What’s up?”

“I’m sorry,” she blurted, and it must have surprised us both because we both let loose a giggle.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m sorry. For earlier, for being rude to you. It’s… I mean, Cole had told me obviously, about you and Davis, but Jasper’s mom….” She paused then and tugged at her hair that was in a ponytail at the back of her head. “Anyway, that’s a long story, but basically, she did try to get pregnant to try to get together with Cole, so when he told me what happened, and well, I like Davis, don’t know him well, but he’s kind of like everyone’s little brother, you know? And such a good guy, I was just… triggered, for lack of a better term.”

She shrugged like she wasn’t quite so sure what to do with herself, and since I didn’t quite know what to say to all of that we stared at each other until it was awkward, and both of us chuckled again.

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Although I was starting to wonder how many times I’d have to say that to people.

“I believe that.”

“Why?” Because I hadn’t exactly done anything to make her think differently.

“Because Davis believes you, and he’s a good guy. And Cole trusts him.”

Right. So this wasn’t exactly about me at all, or anything. Couldn’t really blame her for it, and at least she was being honest.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. For not being nicer today and I’d like for us to hang out someday, get to know each other. You and Davis could come to our place some night, or we could go to Davis’s if that’s easier.”

“I would think I’d need to talk to him about that first.” I might have been moving in with him, but it was still his house. His friends.

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