Page 182 of Made Better Together

“I guess we should sit back down before he realizes he has easy access to my plate,” Landon jokes lightly.

A half laugh escapes all of us, if only to let go of the intense tension circulating with my confession.

“So what…can we do anything to help you now?” Grace asks, once everyone’s seated again.

“I had a great counselor at Princeton, and found a therapy that worked for me.”

“Do you need someone in Orlando?” Landon replies. “Because I can ask around…”

“I have someone here now, and it’s going well.” I shoot him a small smile to show my gratitude before explaining a little about the EMDR treatments.

He looks satisfied with my description. “Good. I’m proud of you for getting help.”

“I’m so glad you told us that,” Rawley echoes, tapping his fingers on the table. “Now you don’t have to carry any more secrets.”

Grace sends me a pointed look.

At this point, telling them about Eden a few days early won’t matter.

“There’s one last thing that you don’t know…”

Grace grins, knowing what I’m about to share.

52

EDEN

NEW YEAR’S EVE, SIX DAYS LATER

“So the ‘pause’ is over?” Bree asks as I scurry around getting ready.

“Yes, and I’m way past done with it.” I’ve been back in Florida only a couple hours, and Connor’s already on his way to pick me up. Seems neither of us wanted to prolong the break.

She waggles her brow. “Shortage of Vitamin C getting to you?”

I roll my eyes. “That joke is so dumb. It’s frankly beneath you.”

“I hope soon to have something else beneath me.” She’s spending the New Years countdown with a Tolliver baseball player she’s been hooking up with—so, fair.

“Haha.” I don’t have time to keep joking with her, and I jump into the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, Connor texts that he’s here.

“Bree, I’m leaving,” I shout in the direction of her room. “Have fun.”

“See ya!”

I grab my overnight bag, repacked after the trip with a few days’ worth of clothes. With school not starting until next week, and no soccer practice, I can lounge at Connor’s.

For the first time in our relationship, we can be together without a million obligations, on my end, at least. He still has Waves duties.

My priority right now is simply to see him.

I scramble out the main entry. Dressed in a light green collared shirt and khaki shorts that show off the cut of his body perfectly, Connor’s leaning against his car, the sunshine framing him in yellow light. He straightens once he sees me, nothing brighter than his eyes as I approach.

“Oh fuck, you’re a beautiful sight. Come here.”

I walk straight into his arms, and he folds me into a big hug, kissing the top of my head. He smells delicious, like a mix of cinnamon and smoky wood.