Begin Again novel Chapter 73

Eden had never been so glad to see a jug of ice-cold water in her life.

She attacked it the minute they all sat down in their VIP room, her body trembling with relief at the realisation that she's managed to avert disaster yet again.

She couldn't keep having these close encounters and near misses, though. Her luck was bound to run out at some point, and it's only a matter of time before the truth about Aiden's paternity came to light.

"You were in such a hurry to get away from the Andersons. Is there a reason you didn't want to dine with your boss and his family?" Steve asked, interrupting her panicked thoughts, a concerned look in his eyes as he patted her shoulder gently.

Erica barely noticed the mini-crisis Eden's in. She was still floating on air, elated over the tons of compliments the Andersons had showered on them.

"Honey?" Steve touched her arm gently, trying to get her attention. "What is it? Did Anderson Junior treat you badly? Do you not like him?"

Eden gawked at him, dumbfounded by his question.

Yes, lately Anderson Junior hasn't been on his best behaviour, that's for sure.

But that wasn't the issue here.

The real problem is that she's trying to keep his son a secret, and if they'd stayed a minute longer, there's a very real chance her Mom would have shown the Andersons Aiden's photos.

It didn't help that she liked Liam too much for her own good, too, and being so close to him isn't good for her sanity. She liked him so much even when she knew she shouldn't because her little crush on him won't end well for her.

Steve jumped full steam ahead on the worry train, the severe frown on his flushed face growing darker the longer he spoke. "You don't look okay. Maybe we should postpone our chat?"

"Dad, I'm fine," Eden nodded her head emphatically as she poured herself another glass and took a quick sip, her teeth chattering at the icy water.

"I'm okay," she added in a voice oozing with confidence she didn't feel.

But there'd be no postponement. She planned to make this the last meeting with her parents for a very long time. The less she saw of them, the better, more so now that she knew they have some relationship with Aiden's paternal grandparents.

"Why didn't you tell me you know the Andersons?" She asked when her pulse had returned to normal, and the thin line of cold sweat on her back had dried some, hoping her voice didn't sound as shrill as she thought it was.

But before her parents could reply, a smiling waitress waltzed through the screen door with a stack of leather-bound menus in one hand and an expensive bottle of champagne in the other.

"From the Andersons," she announced as she placed the bottle of bubbly on the table. "I'm Amanda, your waitress for the evening. Should I give you a moment to browse the menu?"

"No," Eden shook her head. They didn't need a moment. A moment would mean more time wasted. She couldn't have that, not when her baby's father and his parents sat a mere few feet away.

The sooner they ate, the quicker they can all leave.

Her parents were happy to settle for the chef’s special.

Since her life was now in total shambles, food was the least of Eden's concerns. She'd have whatever her folks were having, an overpriced pasta whose fancy name was really the only thing they were paying for.

"And to drink?" Amanda asked. "Our wine list is at the back of the menu, I can recommend—"

"I don't drink," Eden said sharply. But maybe she should start. Maybe life would be a little more bearable, and this dinner can go quickly.

"Sparkling water's just fine," she added softly.

"Very well," Amanda threw them another winning smile and promised to bring their food within half an hour.

"Isn't it just lovely, Steve?" Erica beamed when they were alone again. "Running into the Andersons like this, after such a long time."

"How exactly do we know them?" Eden pried. She wanted to know just how deep a hole she was in. Was it a casual acquaintance or a decades-long friendship?

"Oh, silly," Erica laughed. "You met them a few times at gala events at the university. You don't remember?"

No, she didn't.

She must have been very young because she had no memory of the Andersons.

Had she remembered them, she most certainly wouldn't have made her huge mistake two years ago.

"They are patrons of the university; the Arts and Culture wing is dedicated in their honour." Her father explained.

Eden breathed a huge sigh of relief and relaxed visibly in her seat.

So it's not a solid friendship.

Just a business transaction.

She still had some time to figure out what to do about Aiden and Liam.

"You know, when I saw Liam I couldn't help but think how much he looks like Aiden!"

Eden wheezed and spluttered water all over the table at her mother's words, and her father used ancient methods to save her life as he tapped her back furiously.

"Are you okay?" He asked amidst all the tapping. "Just breathe honey, just breathe."

No, she's not okay.

She felt like a two-ton truck had run her over and crushed as she gasped and coughed and tried to get her bearings.