Page 45 of Begin Again, Part 1

Back at her place, Eden packed the groceries away, replaced the shower curtain, and had an outfit change.

An hour later, she was at Anderson Logistics. Ted and Jim were thrilled to see her again. They spent a few minutes chatting about the day's canteen menu and the weather. The annual family day, still months away, also came up.

"Are you coming to the picnic? The missus can't wait to meet you." Jim bobbed his head, smiling at her.

Eden was flattered she'd made such a good impression on the two men they'd mentioned her to their families. Well, Jim, at least.

"Yeah, you should come. My eldest will still be at varsity, but my youngest will be there," said Ted. Like her, he was a single parent. His wife died in a boating accident years ago while visiting her parents down at the coast.

She didn't want to dampen their spirits by telling them she was no longer employed there. So she brushed off their enthusiasm with a smile and a quick wave over her shoulder as she headed inside to Rise on the first floor.

She stood at the entrance of the coffee shop and scanned the place. Her face lit up when she saw Gibby at a window table for two. She looked up from the menu, her mouth curling into a slow smile as she waved her over.

Eden took a long shaky breath and darted through the tables, praying she wasn't making a mistake. She should be working on Aiden's book,The Boy Who Chased The Moon. But here she was, opening herself up to more hurt again.

Chapter

Fifteen

THE NEW OFFER

You look amazing; I love the hair!" Gibby gushed when Eden sat down.

"Thank you," she replied, even though she was still unsure about the angled lob. She would have preferred to have had some say about the length. She liked what Franco had done with the colour, though. He went with warm hues, but kept her roots dark for an ombre effect, and layered the cut in soft, medium curls. The new do was the most radical Eden had ever gone. She only hoped she wouldn't regret it when the maintenance became too much.

"If we can please get started, I need to return to Aiden," she said, feeling self-conscious under Gibby's gaze.

"Of course, but would you like something to drink or eat?"

Eden looked through the menu and settled for a slice of tiramisu and a chai latte.

"I'll have the same, but I should stay away from sugar," Gibby said, and Eden wondered why. She looked amazing and had the height to hide the extra weight. Not that she could see any.

A waitress appeared at their side to take their order. Gibby added a few optional extras, explaining, "It's for Aiden."

"Thanks, but you didn't have to do that," Eden said. She could see through the bribery. There was no way she'd return to Anderson Logistics.

"Why did you ask me here?" she asked as she took in the rustic, Scandinavian decor. The music, though, gave the place its charming ambience. They'd played two of her favourite indie songs since she walked in.

Rise was her vibe. She could see herself sitting here for hours, going broke over their lattes while working on her book. Since her freelance work was slow, she'd decided to try her hand at writing. She was a damn good illustrator. But writing a children's book, loosely based on Aiden's obsession with the moon, was a whole new animal. She planned to see her project through until the end, though. Not because she wanted to get rich from the book. She didn't even think it was good enough to hit bookstores. But when it was complete, she wanted to print at least one copy as a keepsake for Aiden.

"Mr Anderson feels terrible about yesterday." Gibby got to the heart of their meeting.

"Which part?" Eden asked as she leaned forward and cradled her chin in her hands.

Taken aback by her question, Gibby scratched her head. "Eh?"

"There was a lot that Mr Anderson said and did. So which part does he feel terrible about?"

"I'm sorry," Gibby apologised, holding her gaze.

Eden stared back at her, tapping her fingers on the table. "See, I have an issue with that. You didn't do anything wrong; you shouldn't be apologising."

"You're right. But Liam hasn't been himself for some time now," Gibby replied, clasping Eden's hand in hers. "I'm telling you this in confidence. His family doesn't know any of it, and no one else in the company knows for obvious reasons. So, if you can, please keep this information to yourself."

Eden shrugged, refusing to feel even the slightest pity. Liam said many hurtful things to her without caring how his words would wound her. "If it's such a huge secret, maybe you shouldn't tell me."

"It involves you," Gibby said. "Whatever happened between you guys broke Liam to a point where he has to see a therapist once a week and has been for the last two years. I don't know the details of his issues, but I know it's serious because I take him there."

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