The Waiting Game

I drive Paul up to his new school on Sunday.

In front of his dorm, as I’m helping him take in boxes, some kids approach us.

From their friendliness and questions, it’s clear they’re just curious to learn about their new classmate. That makes sense, as my brother’s the new kid at school.

The kids, two boys and one girl, ask where Paul’s from and what brought him to this particular school. My brother is pretty honest with them and there’s no judgment on their parts.

Still, when we all head back to the car to grab more boxes, I can’t help but worry the kids will take one look at my crappy old Saturn and think bad things.

But, to my delight, no one gives my rust bucket a second glance. Everyone is truly genuinely nice, which is amazing. A positive environment like this is going to be so good for Paul.

And I guess he thinks so too. He sure seems comfortable enough. Not only is he laughing and joking with the kids, but he soon tells me I can go ahead and take off.

“Are you sure?” I ask, raising a brow to make sure he’s truly cool with me leaving.

“Yes, absolutely.” He laughs. “Jeez, you’re so overprotective, Eden.”

“That’s my job,” I remind him.

“What are you going to do down there in Columbus without me to worry about it?”

Since I’m still awaiting word on whether I can tell Paul what’s up or not with the fake girlfriend “job,” I cryptically reply, “Oh, I’m sure I’ll have lots of things to keep me busy.”

“That’s right.” He nods thoughtfully. “You have that new modeling job.”

“Yep.”

If only he knew the “new modeling job” will be occupying a ton of my time. But alas, I’m the one who signed the contract. I have to live with the consequences.

Damn it, I really want to tell Paul the truth right now. I can’t wait that much longer. It’s just not like us to keep secrets from one another.

I guess I look a little off, since Paul cocks his head and asks, “Hey, are you okay?”

I conjure up a quick smile. “Yes, I’m fine.”

One of the kids helping Paul calls out from the entrance to the dorm, and Paul says, “Hey, I better go see what’s up.”

I nod. “Go, go, but not without a hug first.”

“Oh, all right.”

Paul pretends to be put off, but with the way he holds onto me tightly when we hug, I have no doubt he’s missing me already.

“Love you,” I murmur.

“Love you too,” he replies.

And then I’m off, crying the whole way down to Columbus.

I’m supposed to drive straight over to the house in New Albany, to see the place and meet my new “boyfriend.” But after all this crying, my makeup is a wreck. So I decide to stop in at the apartment to freshen up.

My suitcase is packed and ready to go. I guess tonight will be my last night sleeping at my place, at least for a while. I’m supposed to officially move in to the New Albany house tomorrow.

I am indeed keeping this apartment. Not for any “nostalgic” reasons, like Jock framed it. I just want a place to retreat to from time to time, to get away from it all. Plus, when this is all over, I can move back in until I find a bigger, nicer home.

Maybe I’ll consider buying a house, but nothing too crazy large—$500K or not, I’m not losing me.

Feeling pretty good about myself, I dab powder on my nose to cover the spattering of freckles across the bridge, then I re-curl my eyelashes so my green eyes really pop.

Finally, I apply a fresh coat of gloss to my full lips.

I consider pulling my hair up into a ponytail, but opt instead to leave it down. I change out leggings for a pair of dark-wash skinny jeans and lose the jacket so I can show off the cute long-sleeved white crop top I’m wearing.

My outfit is nice, but not overdone like I’m trying too hard.

When I reach the house—which is pretty impressive—Jock is standing out in the driveway.

Based on the fact that only his Ferrari, and now my beat-up Saturn, is parked out in front, I conclude Graham’s not yet arrived.

That’s kind of a relief.

When I get out of the car, Jock informs me, “Graham’s on his way from the airport. He should be here soon.”

“Airport? Where was he?” I ask.

“He was in Vegas, tying up loose ends.”

“Oh, okay.”

Jock lowers his no doubt very expensive sunglasses and peruses my outfit.

Sighing heavily, he says, “Those clothes are fine for tonight, Eden, but a whole new wardrobe awaits you inside the house. You’ll want to consider wearing those from here on out.”

Wait, what?

Bristling, I snap, “I like my clothes just fine, thank you very much.”

“Maybe so, but as Graham’s girlfriend there are events you’ll be attending and shots of you on TV and in the press. You need to look the part.”

Ugh!

“I already don’t like this,” I mutter under my breath.

Jock, hearing me, laughs. “You’ll like it a lot more when you check your bank account later tonight. Your first payment has been deposited, and there’s a bonus in there for being so amiable to moving in quickly.”

“I thought there was no choice in the matter,” I reply. “You told me move-in day has to be tomorrow.”

“It does, yes, but you didn’t put up any fuss. I relayed that, and the team wanted to throw in a little extra as a thank-you.”

I roll my eyes, though the extra money sure is nice—and needed. As it was, I had to take an advance on my diner paycheck to come up with gas money to drive Paul to school.

Guess I can buy lots of gas now.

“So where’s Graham?” I ask, checking my phone for the time. “It’s already after eight. It’ll be dark soon. The airport’s not that far from here.”

Chuckling, Jock says, “Are you that anxious to meet your new boyfriend, Miss Vetterly?”

“He’s not my new boyfriend,” I grumble. “Er, I mean, not for real.”

“You better pretend it’s for real,” Jock warns.

“I know, I know. I just want to get this over with, okay? It’s nerve-racking, meeting someone new.”

“Be patient. Graham will be here soon,” Jock says soothingly. “In the meantime, would you like to go inside the house and take a look around?”

I sigh. “Sure, why not?”