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“I can take care of it,” he says quickly.
I frown, confused. “But you said—”
“Spend some time with your mother, Eden,” he says. He uses a gentler tone, one that tells me I’m talking to Hunter and not Mr. Stride. “Annabeth’s right. We’re in the last leg of filming and things are only going to ramp up from here. Who knows when she’ll have another break?”
My stomach is in knots. I really don’t want to spend time with this woman, but something deep down tells me I’ll regret it if I don’t at least hear her out. I’ve managed to get by on my own without her for the majority of my life. Surely, I can endure an hour or so seated across from her.
“What did you have in mind?” I ask her.
Annabeth’s whole face lights up. I almost see my own smile in hers.
“There’s this cute little Mexican place by the waterfront,” she says, speaking so quickly and excitedly that I’m barely able to distinguish word from word. “I remember how much you liked Mexican food as a little girl.”
I nod slowly, chewing on the inside of my cheek. “Alright. I guess I could go for a burrito or something.”
“We can leave together once we’ve wrapped for the day. How does that sound?”
“Sure,” I mumble.
Annabeth beams. “Excellent. I’ll see you later, then.” She leaves and returns to set, the extra pep in her step noticeable from a mile away.
I turn to Hunter and cross my arms. “What was that about?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t play coy with me, Mr. Stride.”
He chuckles, speaking in a hushed whisper. “Give Annabeth a chance to get to know the grown up you, Eden.”
“But why? She’s the one who left.”
“It’s a long story, but it’s worth hearing her out. She confided in me not too long ago that she really wants to be a part of your life.”
“Since when are you and my mother so close?”
Ask your mother.
A chill races down my spine, my father’s voice reverberating around inside my skull. A strange nagging sensation trickles down the nape of my neck.
“Annabeth isn’t as bad as you think she is,” Hunter says. “Give the woman a chance to explain herself. That’s all she wants.”
I squint at him, unsure what’s going on here. I trust Hunter, I do, but this… Something feels off and I can’t explain it.
“Fine,” I mutter with a resigned sigh. “But you owe me a dinner date.”
Hunter smirks, cocky as always. “Only if dessert is guaranteed.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s always guaranteed.”
Chapter 31
Tip #31: Family dinners are awkward, but not this awkward.
EDEN
For what it’s worth, the food’s to die for. I can’t remember the last time I had such a flavorful burrito. It was massive, too! Filled to the brim with baked beans, wild rice, fresh tomatoes, and extra guacamole.
Unfortunately, my delicious meal can’t make up for how awkward it is having dinner with Annabeth.
