So Much More (Book One in the Enough Series)

26. Surprise

Eden

I didn't respond any further to Reed; I just wasn't sure what to say. I wanted to talk to him, face to face. I wanted to watch his eyes when he spoke. I needed his explanation. I knew that Nick was lying, but I needed to hear what Reed's motivation was. I wasn't sure if I was acting like an idiot about the whole situation. But, according to Gemma, I was. I was sitting with her on my lunch break at the coffee shop where it all started.

"When are you meeting up with him?" She asked her black hair in a messy bun on top of her head. She was working but took her break to sit with me for a minute.

"Tonight. He got in last night, but it was late." I sipped my coffee.

"For what it's worth, I think you are overthinking all of this. So he wasn't the original guy for the date. After all, it was a blind date, and from everything you've told me, you two have a connection, and you like him. So why fight it?" Gemma stood, wrapping her apron around her and tying it in place. "You've got a hot soccer player who wants you; go for it, girl." She winked. "Oh hell, look at that hottie." She nodded toward the door. "I need a hot guy to pine after me for a change." She patted the table just as she walked off, back to work. I looked in the direction of the hottie she was checking out and saw Bennett standing there.

I waited and watched as he stepped up, ordering for himself. He was laughing and cracking a smile as Gemma spoke. I couldn't help but smile as well. She was a beautiful woman, the sweetest with a touch of wild and crazy. From what little I knew of Bennett, it sounded like they could be a good match. I pretended to be suddenly interested in my drink as Bennett turned to leave, looking in my direction. Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough because he recognized me and made his way over.

"Eden?" He leaned down to look at me.

"Oh, Hi." I smiled awkwardly.

"How are you?" He smiled, pulling out the chair across from me and sitting. Inwardly I sighed, wishing he wasn't so friendly.

"Um, I'm well. How are you? How'd the games go?" I picked at the label on my cup.

"Great, three wins in a row. Hopefully, the season continues this way. Have you seen Reed yet?" He asked nervously. I was surprised at him; I could see his concern for his friend.

"No. No, not yet. We're supposed to meet up this evening." I stuttered out.

"Good, I'm glad you're meeting up. I won't keep you." He stood. "Just, I mean, who am I to say anything but give him a chance, okay?" He adjusted his ball cap as he stood.

I nodded my head with a soft smile. I appreciated that he was looking out for his friend and being as polite as possible about it. I looked over to see Gemma staring at me with wide eyes, and I couldn't help but chuckle. She quickly finished with the current customer and headed to the table.

"Is this the guy?" She asked, barely opening her mouth.

"No, this is his friend, Bennett. Bennett, this is my friend Gemma, Gemma, this is Bennett. He plays on the team with Reed." I motioned back and forth between the two.

They exchanged greetings again, talking about how we all knew each other. Bennett excused himself shortly after, needing to get back to something. Gemma was drooling as she watched him leave. I stood to head back to the store, reaching up to her mouth and wiping her cheek as a joke.

"Am I that bad?" She giggled. "Go get your man back so we can double date." She teased, giving me a quick hug before I left.

I walked the three blocks back to the store with a little more pep in my step. I was anxiously excited to see Reed. After seeing Bennett, I hoped maybe this could be something to work. Talking with Gemma seemed to help relax my worries and loosen me up a bit. Unfortunately, those feelings were short-lived as I turned to enter my office and found Nick standing with a ridiculous bouquet of roses.

"Good afternoon." He smiled wide, his perfectly white teeth almost sparkling.

"Hi." I stood in shock.

"I haven't heard from you since our last meeting, and well, I felt bad how we left things, and I wanted to stop by." He shrugged.

"Oh. Okay." I sat my things down by my desk, scooting around him.

"I brought these as a peace offering." He laughed. "I was thinking maybe we could try dinner?" I want to explain everything." He sat the vase down on my desk, their size taking up most of my desk space.

"They're beautiful," I commented, though I wasn't a fan of roses. "Thank you, but I have plans this evening. Honestly, Nick, I'm not.." As I went to speak, I saw Reed. He was standing in the doorway, looking as gorgeous as ever. His hair was perfect, a dark t-shirt clung to his muscular frame, and the dark jeans fit him like a glove. I looked up at his hazel eyes as they darted back and forth from myself and to Nick.

"Ah, Reed Sawyer." Nick rubbed his chin as if he was sizing up an opponent.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." He spoke quietly. He was about two hours earlier than we had planned for him to meet me here. I was both surprised and a little grateful. I didn't want to deal with Nick right now.

"I was just explaining to Nick that I have plans this evening," I sputtered, not moving from my spot.

"I assume these plans include him?" Nick nodded toward Reed, who stood firm in the doorway.

"Um, Yes. Yea, they do." I tucked my hair behind my ear, watching nervously.

"Take my date and just keep taking." Nick laughed. My gut wrenched. If Nick was saying this in front of Reed, was it really true? Did I care?

"We both know that isn't the truth. I'm not going to argue with you here; this isn't the place. I'm sorry I arrived too early, Eden." Reed's voice was growly and confident.

"No, it's okay." I quickly shook my head.

"You're too kind." Nick turned back toward me. "Perhaps when you have some free time, we can have a re-do of our lunch date?" He shoved his hands into his suit pockets. Reed looked down at the floor, waiting for our interaction to be complete.

"I... I'm sorry, Nick, I have no interest. I think after the other day, you would understand that." I started blabbering. Nick began to look angry, holding up a hand to stop me.

"I get it." He grumbled. "Funny, a chick who had to be set up on a blind date now has more dates than she knows what to do with." I crossed my arms over my chest, stepping back. "She's all yours, Sawyer." He motioned toward me as he walked through the doorway, directing Reed inside my office.

"Oh, and Eden?" Nick called out, causing me to look up at him. "He didn't steal the date. I wasn't going to go; I figured a chick that needed to be set up by her friend's boyfriend had to be ugly or pathetic." I sucked in a breath, hearing him admit the truth. I looked over at Reed, who stood with his hands balled into fists at his side, watching Nick intently. "You're definitely not ugly, though." He looked me up and down, licking his lips before walking away.