Page 3 of Beautifully Wild

With my free hand, I hug her. “Congratulations. You’ll be busy. Have you extended your leave from work?”

“I didn’t expect to fall so quickly. I’m thinking of resigning and returning to work when the kids are at school. Jake has always wanted three kids, so…”

I gape at her. Our parents funded her university education to study law. It’s where she met Jake, whose parents own a law firm, and subsequently employed her to work alongside their son. She took her career seriously until they married. Has she forgotten what my parents gave up for her? What I gave up?

I wasn’t ‘allowed’ to study full-time—only online because our father neededmeto work for him. I also worked weekends while at school and did anything to save my parents money by not hiring extra staff. For the last few years, the business has turned over substantial profits, so I’m taking extended leave to work out what I want to do with my life. My father has created a new position in the company in marketing and building development. The position is mine if I want it.

“My leave isn’t debatable. I suggest you hire a temp for the eight weeks I’m away.” I take a breath. “I’m going out to meet my friends for a couple of drinks and to discuss our upcoming trip.” I kiss my nephew on his cheek before handing him to my sister and make my way to my room. Before I reach the door, I pivot to meet my father eye to eye. “Why are you hung up on the jungle? If I take precautions, is a small tour so bad? It’s part of the Iguassu Falls tour we have booked.”

Scarlet heat rises along his neck, masking his pale skin.

“Eden, this also isn’t debatable.” Mum’s hand rests on her chest. “You have no idea of the possible danger.”

“I told you she’sjustlike her grandmother,” Dad grunts under his breath. Only we all hear, and by Faith’s expression, she’s as confused as I am.

It’s not the first time he has related me to Gran. But I’m twenty-four, not sixteen, and thankful to be moving out on my return. Even if it means moving in with Yasmine and listening to her daily meditating chants and spells and taking all the herbal concoctions she swears by.

“For once, I wish you’d trust me like you do Faith and Will.” The door closes with a thump behind me before giving him a chance to respond.

2

Eden

“Evening,Eden,”Davesayswhen I reach the doors of The Shores bar. We’re on a first-name basis since the bar is only a half a block from our apartments, and I’m here most weeks. The Shores is a trendy hotel, including a nightclub, cocktail bar, and restaurant. “Your friends are already inside.”

“Thanks,” I say and offer him a smile. I weave around the booths and tables to find my girlfriends sitting in the usual seats by the window with an ocean view.

“Sorry I’m late.” I plop down on a comfortable lounge chair and stretch my hands over the padded armrests.

Amy stops mid-conversation and stares at me. “What’s pissed you off?”

I sigh loudly and shake my head. “Nothing. Just my father trying to guilt-trip me again.”

“Here.” Yasmine pours a glass of sparkling wine and hands it to me. “Medicinal bubbles always help.”

“Medicinal?” I smile at Yasmine.

“Good for your heart, your skin, your cognitive brain, and it will improve your mood.” She beams her white teeth at me. “Bottoms up.” She raises her glass to me and takes a sip.

“Cognitive thinking?” Amy muses. She runs her fingers through her long blonde ponytail and adjusts it to sit over her shoulder.

I down the glass in one go and let out an appreciative sigh. “I’m feeling better already.” I wipe any residue from the corners of my mouth.

“Only three glasses a week to improve your memory,” Yasmine adds as though we all need educating.

“You don’t need to sell it to me,” I say. “You had me at boosting my mood. As for improving my memory, I’d rather forget some things. Tell me, if I drink more than a few glasses a week, does it reverse the effects and wipe out my memory?”

Yasmine shakes her head, and dark spiral curls bounce as she does. “If you lived with me already, then you could use my essential oils and have access to my motivational books.”

“Be careful.” Amy smirks. “She only wants to practice her spells on you.”

Yasmine rolls her eyes. “You need to have an open mind.”

“I do. Just with other things,” she says. Her eyes fix on the dark-haired, handsome man walking past our table. “I’d be willing to be open with him.”

Ugh. “You don’t even know him. He could be someone waiting to spike your drink and then have his way with you.” God, I sound like a prude. I’m not. Because of a certain someone, I now have my own trust issues after he stomped all over my heart.

She gives a devilish grin. “And I wouldn’t object.”

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