Begin Again novel Chapter 62

Liam didn't get Eden out his system like he told his cousins he would.

How could he, when he saw her everywhere—in the elevators, in the staff lounges, in meetings and Matthew's office. He'd smile at her, try to make small talk but she'd return all his advances with a polite nod and nothing more.

Now that she reported to Matthew, a decision Liam regretted immediately after making it, Eden didn't pay him any attention.

In all the meetings he chaired, he may as well have been invisible in her eyes since she barely acknowledged his presence and hardly glanced at him. If there's something she didn't understand she made a point of asking his cousins or the other assistants to clarify.

Liam knew silent treatment when he saw it; he'd been in his fair share of semi long-term relationships and had landed in the dog box one too many times. But in all his past fuckups, an expensive gift often fixed the problem, and the longest he's ever been in the dog box was two days, three at most.

With Eden, he was going on thirty-two days. She was determined to freeze him out.

Today was no different.

They were in the twenty-seater boardroom on the 36th floor, celebrating the 40th birthday of one of the assistants, and he was so invisible, he may as well not have attended the party.

Eden was huddled around the snacks table with the other assistants, and every time he tried to get her attention, she'd look away and sip her sparkling water.

He was getting very annoyed with her. How long was she planning to keep ignoring him, he wondered, as he drifted to the corner and mindlessly made small talk with Matthew and Julian, all the while stealing glances at her.

Over the past month, he'd wanted to ask his cousin for updates, but had somehow managed to stop himself.

Not today. He'd finally maxed out his curiosity meter.

"How is she doing?" He asked, still watching Eden, fascinated by how she pushed up her glasses every time someone asked her a question, and she had to take a moment to think about her response.

Her hair had grown longer, but the soft curls were still there. She looked especially pretty today in her navy pantsuit paired with a white blouse and black pumps.

"Why? You want her back?" Matthew asked, following his gaze.

Of course, he wanted her back.

Every week for the past month, he complained to Linda about his lack of progress. And in all their sessions, his therapist told him the same thing over and over; he can't do the same shit and expect different results. If he wanted Eden to stop holding him at arm's length, he has to show her he's worth the time.

"Is she fine? Has she settled in? Does she like her job? Does she like us?" Liam demanded as he forced himself to look away from her. He didn't want her to start thinking he's a creep.

"Damn, you've asked so many questions, which one should he answer first?" Julian chuckled and grabbed a glass of champagne from the table.

"If by 'us' you mean you, then the answer is a hard no. You were brutal to her, and you never apologised." Matthew reminded him.