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It suddenly clicks into place. The book Eden was reading from so diligently at the office… Is she studying to become a doctor? She hasn’t said anything about it, so I’ve had no reason to assume. A part of me is impressed, but unsurprised. I still remember the time she came running home from science camp one year to show off her prize-winning diorama of the chicken pox virus. I’m pretty sure Thomas and I took her out for ice cream as a reward after.
The third thing I notice are the bills haphazardly piled on the kitchen table. Overdue. A closer look reveals that some of them are medical bills.
Thomas’ name is listed as the primary patient.
Eden swoops in and gathers everything up, whisking the documents away and clearing the table. “Um, take a seat, I guess? I should warn you this is nothing fancy. I’m no head chef at El Blanco.”
I shrug my suit jacket off and fold it neatly over the back of one of the dining chairs. They’re mismatched, coming from different dining sets. It adds to the place’s charm.
“I’ll be sure to mention that when I write your Yelp review.”
Eden rolls her eyes and laughs. It’s a soft little sound that I drink up with glee. “Did you just make a joke?” she asks lightly. “I didn’t think that was possible.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m a riot.”
“Should I get a head start on planning your comedy tour? I’ll have to contact the PR team just in case your debut standup routine crashes and burns.”
“It’s a good thing I have my directing career to fall back on.”
She huffs thoughtfully. “Must be nice knowing you can’t fall that far.”
Behind us, Taylor giggles. She’s got something in her hand that she’s flicking open and closed. Upon closer inspection, I realize it’s an old lighter. “You two are cute,” she comments. “I ship it.”
I frown. “Ship it? Is this new slang I never picked up on?”
Eden glares at Taylor from across the kitchen. “Ignore her, she’s drunk.”
“Am not.”
“Would you put your dumb lighter away and help me make dinner?” Eden asks, exasperated. “I thought you threw that thing away. You said you were trying to quit smoking.”
“Ididquit smoking,” Taylor says. “But this was a gift from a friend of mine. Can’t bring myself to toss it.” From somewhere down the hall, a phone rings. Taylor immediately perks up. “Oh, gosh. That must be another client. Do you mind setting aside a plate for me?”
Eden nods. “Sure. Just try to keep it down?”
Taylor tosses her a cheeky wink before hurrying off. “No promises!”
I turn to Eden as she brings a pot of salted water to a boil. “A client?”
“She’s a camgirl,” Eden says without missing a beat. She warms a jar of marinara sauce in a saucepan. “You know. Online sex work?”
“I’m familiar with the concept.”
“Can’t blame me for double checking. It’s hard to know what you old timers know and don’t know.”
“Who’re you calling an old timer? I’m only forty-two.”
Eden stiffens. I cringe internally, too. What the hell am I doing? I’m twice her age. I’m literally the same age as her father. Hiring her despite my rocky relationship with Thomas, having inappropriate thoughts about her, seeing Eden in this brand-new light… I’m out of my depth here. Out of line. The fuck am I doing sitting here in her home joining her for dinner?
“I should go,” I say, standing.
A flash of disappointment ghosts across her face. “Oh,” she murmurs. “Did I say something wrong? Look, I’m sorry I called you an old timer. I was just teasing.”
“It’s got nothing to do with that, I just… need to go.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Thank you for your hard work today.”
