I cleared my throat, trying to regain confidence in my voice before replying, “I guess I just wanted to uh… be comfortable today.” I shrugged lightly. “It’s not like we’re on a real date or anything anyway. We’re here to discuss our terms for the deal.”
“Right.” He nodded slowly, a smile tugging at his lips.
I took a sip of my already cold coffee, the bitterness seeping into my mouth as I tried to gather myself.
Eden’s gaze fixed on me, his eyes searching for something in mine. I felt like he could see right through me, read my mind,and find out all my insecurities and fears with just one lousy look.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, wishing I could disappear. But instead of pointing out how awkward I felt, he surprised me by speaking first.
“You know, Alana, you don’t have to hide yourself.” He got up, and for a moment I thought he was going to leave again, that our deal was done before we’d even really discussed it. “I’m getting a coffee. Do you want a new one?”
I shook my head softly, forcing a small smile before he walked away to the counter.
Watching him order his coffee with such ease and charm, laughing with the women behind the counter like he had no care in the world, made me wonder what it would be like to be as effortlessly confident as he was.
I sat there, tugging my sleeves over my hands like I always did, like maybe they could hide everything I hated about myself. The softness of my stomach, the way my thighs touched, the constant overthinking.
I hated it all.
I couldn’t imagine being like him, walking around like I deserved to take up space. Sometimes I felt like if I stopped trying so hard to be invisible, people would finally see all the things I wanted to hide.
By the time his drink was done, mine was empty. When he returned to the table with two fresh drinks in his hands, setting one in front of me before he reclaimed his seat on the opposite side of the table, I was suddenly really grateful that he’d gotten me a new drink anyway.
Eden leaned back comfortably, taking a sip of his own coffee before fixing his gaze on me once more.
I couldn’t help but feel exposed under his scrutiny, analyzing me as if he could see the turmoil inside my head that I tried so hard to conceal.
“So, Ally-Bear,” he began, his voice softer than before. “What’s your condition to teach me how to bake?”
I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of relief that Eden was steering the conversation toward the reason we were here. To discuss the terms of our deal.
As I met his gaze, I could sense a genuine curiosity in his green eyes, quite the opposite of the mischievousness and playfulness that were usually glistening in them.
“Well,” I began, clearing my throat. “Obviously, you would have to genuinelytry. None of these half-hearted attempts or making excuses. If I’m going to teach you how to bake, I want you to befullycommitted.”
Eden nodded thoughtfully, his lips curling into a small smile. “Sounds fair to me,” he agreed. “But that’s not what you wanted, is it, Alana? Me trying to be good at something I have no other choice but to be good at isn’t a fair deal for you.”
“Well…” I trailed off.
What was I even supposed to say to that? I already felt like I was in over my head.
“We said I was supposed to help you come out of that shell of yours,” he said, and I nodded in agreement.
Right. That shell. The one I’d built so carefully around me, layer by layer, with years of awkwardness, rejection, and feeling like I wasn’t enough. It wasn’t exactly easy to just crack it open because some beautiful, confident guy said I should.
“And I suppose the ultimate goal is to find you a real boyfriend, huh?” he added.
“Not just anyone.”
What have I gotten myself into?
“Of course not.Theboyfriend of the century. Austin Bennett.” Eden sounded almost disgusted as he said Austin’s name.
I didn’t know what I hated more—how ironic he sounded… or how much I wished it was jealousy instead.
No one hadeverbeen jealous of anything that included me. No less about me dating some guy.
“That’s going to be the easy part, Ally-Bear. Your confidence, however…”
