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The following day at Ellerby’s, I was barely able to complete basic tasks. Unable to stop thinking about Ryder, I eventually broke down in the kitchen.
Camille happened to notice me wiping my tears.
“Eden, what’s going on? Is everything okay with Ollie?”
“Yes. Everything is fine with him.”
“What, then?”
I sniffled and grabbed a tissue. “You remember Ryder?”
“Yes. Young Paul Newman with the gorgeous eyes? How could I forget? He hurt you? I’ll kill him.”
“No. Nothing like that.” I took a deep breath and said, “His father died suddenly.”
Camille frowned. “Oh man, I’m so sorry.”
“He got the call yesterday while he was visiting for the weekend. He’s an only child and already lost his mom to cancer. I’m so devastated for him that I can’t think straight, can’t even do my job today.”
She covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh honey.”
“It’s killing me that I can’t be there for him.”
“Why can’t you?”
I looked at her like she was crazy for even asking. “I can’t just fly to L.A. on a whim.”
“Why not?”
“Lots of reasons. Ollie’s never been on a plane. He’s scared to fly. And even if I drove, I can’t drag him around a strange city, can’t take him to a funeral.”
“There’s got to be a way.” She pursed her lips and seemed to be thinking. “How about if I stay at your house for a couple days, watch Ollie for you?”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Yes, you can. Are you forgetting that I looked after him once before? He survived, didn’t he?”
I actually had forgotten that. Ethan had surprised me with an overnight trip to Arizona during the first year we were dating. He’d spoken to Camille about how best to surprise me, and she’d offered to watch Ollie for the night. It had been the first time I’d ever left my brother with anyone, and I remember being super nervous about it. It had all worked out in the end, though. We came home, and Ollie was still in one piece.
“Yes, I remember you watched him that one night… But I’d probably need to be gone for a couple of days if I went all the way out there. I wouldn’t want to show up, then bolt on him.”
“Look, I have some vacation time. I’m sure Bobby will let me take it on short notice if we explain the situation.” She glared at me. “Eden, when was the last time you did something for yourself? Seriously. I know you’re doing this to support Ryder, but it’s clear to me that you need to be with him right now.”
My voice trembled. “I want to go to him so badly.”
She gripped my shoulders. “Then go. I’ve got you. I will take great care of your boy for a few days so you can take care of your man.”
My man.
Ryder and I weren’t even officially exclusive, but it didn’t matter. Right now, aside from Ollie, he was the most important person in my life. And he needed me.
I knew what I wanted. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. Let me do this for you.”
“Okay.” I just kept nodding, wondering if there were any reasons I should reconsider. “Okay. Thank you so much. I owe you big time.”
Apparently, I have a flight to book.CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE* * *RYDERIt had only been a couple of days, but it felt like an eternity. People had been coming and going through my house. It was one big blur of “I’m so sorry” and “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
There was nothing anyone could do. My father was gone, my life turned upside down.
Trays of catered food were everywhere, along with an explosion of flowers. And I was completely in a fog.
Lorena took a seat across from me at the kitchen table. With a splitting headache, I’d been sitting here with my head in my hands and no motivation to move.
“Mijo, have you eaten anything?”
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder. “You want me to tell people to stop coming?”
“No. It’s okay. It’s nice to know they care. I’m just so numb that nothing is affecting me.”
“You let me know if you want me to kick them out. It’s what I do best. I’ll break out the cowbell.”
I cracked a slight smile, my first since before my father died. “I will.”
The doorbell rang, and when the next person walked in, I immediately regretted not telling Lorena to stop the visitors.
It was one of my father’s board members from the studio, Sam Shields. As much as I didn’t want to think about what Dad’s death meant for the state of the business, I knew there were hundreds of investors panicking right now. My father would want me to deal with it, and so I’d have to do just that.
I never left my spot at the table as Sam approached, holding a large basket of wine and cheese. He placed it on the center island.
