Page 29 of Begin Again, Part 2

"Yes, baby," she grabbed his little hand and kissed it, wondering how far Isaac was with the custody agreement. She made a mental note to call him as soon as she got to the office. She couldn't put off telling Liam the truth any longer. The whole night she'd wanted to tell him, but terrified of his reaction, scared shitless he'd lose his shit with her for keeping the truth from him for so long, she'd put off their talk until she had all her ducks in her row—

"Book!" Aiden squirmed on the counter, cutting through her thoughts with his excitement as he held out his hands to her.

Eden set him down and watched him run to her bedroom as fast as his tiny legs would carry him, returning moments later with her sketchbook of 'The Boy Who Chased the Moon'.

He held out his hands again. Eden scooped him up and carried him to the couch in the living room, where they spent half an hour looking at the illustrations while she read him the story.

"More moon!" Aiden begged when they reached the end of the book for the second time.

"Later, baby, I have to get ready for work, okay?" Eden kissed him on his cheek to appease him, but he wouldn't have any of it.

"More moon!" He wailed over and over, and she was about to give in to him when Brenda, dressed in her pale pink gown and matching bedroom slippers, walked in, her satin bonnet flopped to one side.

"Later, Aid. Mommy has to get ready for work, darling," Brenda said sternly as she came to the rescue. "How was your night, Eden? Do I even need to ask?"

"It was a business meeting," Eden replied quickly, wishing she could kick herself when her cheeks flamed up. She should work on her poker face.

"Sure," Brenda winked at her. "I need one of those business meetings, too, if it'll make me glow like that."

"I'm not glowing," she said as she ran to the bathroom to take a shower and start her day.

An hour later, dressed in a fitted grey pantsuit and a white camisole, Eden was ready to take on her day. Her only accessories were a pair of sterling silver studs—one of the jewellery sets Grammy had left her in her will.

She graciously took the cup of black tea and a slice of wholewheat toast from Brenda while she slipped into a pair of black pumps.

She took quick bites of her bread and a few sips from her mug before grabbing her handbag, keys, and cell phone and headed for the door.

Matthew had an 8:00 AM weekly check-in with all three departments he overlooked, and she had to prepare the venue.

"You forgot this!" Brenda called after her, holding up her laptop bag.

"Thanks!" she smiled and kissed Aiden one more time before dashing off, the butterflies in her tummy racing out of control at the thought of seeing his father again.

Chapter

Eleven

LIKE YOU TOO MUCH

It was still dark when Liam returned home after dropping Eden off, but the house should have been lively, with Dave and the housekeepers preparing to start their day. It was oddly quiet, and the silence was even more deafening now that Eden was gone.

Liam picked up the gift box with Eden's dress and underwear and took it upstairs, smiling as he replayed their conversation earlier, when he asked for his shirt back. Of course, he was teasing her about the shirt, but he liked having something of hers close to him if he was honest.

The smell of their lovemaking hit him as soon as he stepped into his bedroom. His eyes jumped straight to the tousled sheets, and he suddenly missed Eden with a force that left him stunned for breath. He pulled out his phone and sent her a quick text. 'I miss you.'

She replied immediately. 'You just miss fucking me, that's all.'

Liam laughed and typed back 'Touché' before throwing the phone on the bed and joining it moments later. He lay there for some time, his hands behind his head as he stared at the high ceiling, feeling lighter than he had in years. He inhaled and exhaled, content with his life. He had more wealth than most people would amass in a lifetime, a somewhat fulfilling job and now, love. What more could a guy possibly want?

A permanent live-in girlfriend, he thought wistfully.

Baby steps, he told himself as he got up from the bed to start his day. He'd just managed to make love with Eden without allowing his anxiety to get the better of him. That was a huge milestone in his books. One worth celebrating. He'd have plenty of time to worry about their complicated relationship and address all the other niggling issues.

Freshly showered and all dressed up, Liam was ready for work almost an hour later. He checked his reflection in the mirror in his walk-in closet one more time, making sure not a single hair was out of place. He had to look good for Eden.

The thought of seeing her again sent a rush of euphoria through his body, and he couldn't wait to get to work to make out with her before the board meeting.

"Good morning, everyone," he greeted his staff crowded around the kitchen when he waltzed in, whistling a catchy tune under his breath.

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