Dylan

 

I wondered if my plan was working. Allie had a few ideas and she was right- getting myself back in Eden’s space was key. Being where she was had become my new priority. It started with the movie the other night. She’d convinced herself she didn’t want me, didn’t love me, but I knew better. Whether she wanted to or not, Eden couldn’t hide her reaction to me. And her reaction to my closeness told me I wasn’t the only one affected.

I’d held her on my lap for two straight hours. My leg had been killing me afterward, but I didn’t care. Nothing could have convinced me to let her go. That movie had been hilarious. We’d laughed until we cried during several scenes. During a few of the more poignant parts, I’d wiped Eden’s tears away with my thumb. It was easy to see my future played out in front of me when I held her in my arms.

My leg was getting better. Stronger. Today I started working with Derrick. I wouldn’t go out to the work sites for a while yet, but I had a lot to learn from his office assistant about the ins and outs of the business aspect of things and I was anxious to learn all that I could. I hadn’t been kidding when I said I wouldn’t mind ending up in construction, I just hadn’t thought it would happen so soon.

I also wasn’t kidding about getting out of my parent’s basement. I began looking for a small apartment almost immediately. I loved my family but being in the Army had given me too much independence to want to go back home to live. I had plenty of combat pay saved from my deployment that would hold me over until my disability kicked in. That and working for Derrick would set me up just fine.

Looking through the classified ads, I found a little apartment in this older lady’s backyard. It had been her husband’s man cave when he’d been alive but since his passing a few years ago, she’d turned it into a studio apartment to rent out for extra income.

“I usually give my tenants a break on rent if they help out with some chores, yard work and such,” Mrs. Critchfield said, eyeing my crutches and booted foot.

“It’s okay. I can pay the higher rent. But if you want, I can get my younger brother to help out. He’s reliable and it’d be good experience for him,” I offered. It would be good for Reed. He didn’t always enjoy working with his dad, but he wasn’t lazy. Maybe he’d appreciate having his own gig, something not to do with his dad.

Mrs. Critchfield smiled. “That would be great. With spring on its way, I was worried. My last tenant took care of the mowing and such so I haven’t got anyone lined up.”

“I’m happy to do that as well once I’m all healed up but I think Reed’ll do a good job until then.” It seemed like the ability to do yard work was a make or break on the rental for the older woman.

She looked relieved and nodded with another smile. “When would you like to move in?”

“As soon as possible. I have a check right here.”

Mrs. Critchfield offered me her hand. “Welcome home, Mr. Coulter.”

 

Moving would make it more difficult to drop in on Eden. I wouldn’t be able to just walk across the street and plop down on her couch. But that was okay because I really needed to up my game. And even though she seemed to respond to me physically and I knew she enjoyed hanging out, we hadn’t really talked about anything serious about us becoming, well, us.

And we sure hadn’t talked about what had gone on between us before I left for basic leading all the way up to the letter she’d sent me stating her hatred for me. I only hoped she didn’t really feel that way and that those words had just been a reaction to the hurt I’d caused her.

Which wasn’t much better.

It was time to put phase two into effect. I’d just spent the morning moving my stuff into Mrs. Critchfield’s apartment. It didn’t take long. The place was completely furnished. All I had to bring with me was my clothes and bedding. Mom helped me set up my stuff and unpack. She’d just left after dropping off her housewarming gift- a carload of groceries. It made me laugh to see all the lunch meat and boxed mac ‘n cheese.

It was Saturday and I knew Eden would be getting off work at four which was in about an hour. It was last minute, but I’d been distracted, which was code for terrified, and had put it off. But it was now or never.

 

Me: Got plans tonight?

 

I played Candy Crush on my phone for a good twenty minutes before she answered.

 

Eden: Only with my bathtub and a pint of ice cream.

 

While her response made me laugh, I was worried she’d turn me down now more than I was before.

 

Eden: Why?

Me: I wanted to ask you to go out?

 

I allowed myself a nervous sigh and ordered my racing heart to calm down. The little bubble indicating that she was replying appeared and then disappeared. Twice.

Oh, man. She didn’t know how to respond.

 

Me: Ed?

 

This time her response was almost immediate.

 

Eden: Like on a date?

Me: Yes. Very much like a date.

Me: Do you want to?

Eden: I don’t know.

 

My heart sank a little.

 

Me: No pressure. No expectations. Just a date.

 

Please, say yes. Please, say yes. I was glad I asked her over text now. Apparently, asking her out would have really put her on the spot. This way she had all the time she needed to think without me standing there putting on the pressure.

 

Me: It’s okay if you say no, Ed. I understand.

 

Please, don’t say no. Please, don’t say no.

 

Eden: Yeah. Okay.

Me: Yeah?

Eden: Sure, let’s go out.

 

It was a bit of a lukewarm response, but I’d take it.

 

Me: 6:30?

Eden: Yeah.

Me: See you then.