Page 68 of A Bossy Roommate
Eden gives me a look that says: Sorry, not sorry.
She turns to my aunt. “You asked what I thought of children, and I said I liked them,” Eden clarifies. “…A lot. But I never said we were going to have any.”
“I know what you said,ma chère. I read between the lines.”
“There were no lines, I can assure you.”
I love my aunt, but God, can she be a pot-stirrer. She understood Eden perfectly. Her fake confusion is her way of trying to prod us into changing our minds about having kids. Which would not happen even if this was a real marriage.
“Auntie, don’t,” I say in a firm voice. “You know how I feel about kids, and I know Eden didn’t tell you she wanted any.”
My aunt huffs again and gets to her feet, surprisingly energetic. “I never understood why you’re so adamant about having no children. Kids are wonderful.”
“Youdidn’t have kids,” I point out.
“We’re not talking aboutme. We’re talking aboutyou.”
She beelines into the kitchen, and I watch her go on her tiptoes and grab the bottle of wine she’d mentioned earlier. I glance over at Eden who looks like she’s trying not to smile. Her hand covers her mouth, highly amused by the whole situation.
At least one of us is.
I get up, storm into the kitchen after her, and take the bottle of wine away from my aunt as she scours the drawers for a bottle opener. “No wine,” I say in a firm tone. “We already talked about this.”
“Carter, I am a grown woman, and if I want a glass of wine, I damn well will have one. Open the bottle.Now.”
“Why don’t we order dinner?” Eden asks, trying to change the subject. “I hear you like to have something from Bruno’severy time you come to New York. I’ve never had their food, is it good?”
“Is it good?” Aunt Eleanor repeats. “Oh, dearie, Bruno makes the mostamazingdishes. The best in the state.”
She goes back to the table, and I give Eden a thankful look, taking pleasure in the cooperative dynamic we have as a team. She offers a warm smile in return before giving my aunt her full attention as the woman raves about Bruno’s cooking.
The rest of the day is, well,manageable.
Once Aunt Eleanor gets off her children train of thought, it’s fairly smooth sailing. The food comes quick and is as delicious as ever. Aunt Eleanor is insistent about the wine, and I pour her half of what she requests. She isn’t thrilled about it but doesn’t complain. Instead, she asks about the wedding itself, and Eden takes the reins, giving an embellished account of our quick Vegas wedding.
Aunt Eleanor loves every minute of it. “Oh, that sounds beautiful,” she gushes as I clear the plates from the table. “I’m sure it would have been more beautiful in person. Not that I’m bitter that you didn’t invite me.”
“No, of course you’re not,” I tease. “This is only the third time you’ve mentioned it in the last five minutes.”
I carry the plates into the kitchen and put them in the sink. While I prepare to slice into my aunt’s favorite authentic New York cheesecake from the same local bakery I got the Not-So-Rummy Rum Balls from, I notice Eden quietly swipe my aunt’s empty wineglass, along with the dishes I wasn’t able to carry. I’m glad because I saw my aunt eye the bottle, and I know she would have poured herself more when we weren’t looking.
“Well, you know I always wanted to be at your wedding,” Aunt Eleanor says from the other room while we get the dresser ready. “I am glad you are married, but I would have loved to have been there.”
Eden carries fresh plates to the table while I bring the cheesecake.
“Don’t be mad at Carter, Auntie,” Eden tells her. “That one was on me. I wanted to do something small and intimate with just the two of us. For personal reasons.”
I’m surprised Eden has taken the blame for that. But I can see my aunt’s demeanor immediately change. Her expression softens and she reaches over to take Eden’s hand.
“I’m sorry, dear,” she says, with genuine concern in her voice. “My heart aches for you. It must have been such a difficult decision not to invite friends and family to your special day. Did something painful from your past influence this decision?”
Eden sits back down with a nod. “I won’t delve into the specifics, but yes, something happened the last time I was preparing to walk down the aisle that caused me to lose not only my heart, but also my finances, and many of my close friends. It felt like a knife had been plunged into my chest. The pain was so intense, I couldn’t even cry.” She gives a brave smile. There’s courage in her expression, but also hurt, deep hurt. Her heart, she guards it with care, and it isn’t just her smile or braveness that holds one captive. She’s a force to be reckoned with—smart, unpredictable, stimulating, and full of nuance.
But the cloud surrounding her worries me. While she had mentioned to me that she’d been left at the altar by some douche, she hadn’texplicitlystated that the event had caused her financial hardship. I can only surmise he was the culprit behind her financial downfall and the loss of her social circle. Nonetheless, I don’t want to make decisions based on mere assumptions. An insatiable curiosity to delve deep into her world rises within me, starting with the fucked-up act carried out by some worthless fucking scumbag.
Aunt Eleanor reaches over and pulls Eden into a tight hug. “Oh, dearie,” she says, rubbing her back. “I do not understandhow some men can be so awful. Let me tell you, some of them are about as useful as a chocolate teapot! But don’t you worry, now that you’ve got Carter, you will never have to deal with that kind of rubbish again! Right, Carter?”
“Right.”