41

AS SHE WALKED into the hotel, Eden Kingsley felt hopeful and happy because Rafe was beside her. Their stroll back had been calm and sweet. It felt good just being beside Rafe, even if they were silent at times as they walked. It almost seemed at times like she had her Rafe back. Rafe seemed so happy and full of life, joking around like Eden remembered. Sometimes it was hard to comprehend the truth Rafe was still sick and dealing with problems from her childhood and the troubles from back home. But then strange and scary things happened, like the situation in the cemetery, or the way Rafe talked about being out of control.

After climbing the stairs to her floor, with Rafe following, Eden unlocked the door to her room. They entered, finding Julia sitting on the couch with an e-reader.

“How’d it go?” Julia asked as she set aside her e-reader. She looked up to see Eden with a huge smile on her face and Rafe standing next to her. “Well, hello,” she said as she stood in surprise.

“Hi,” Eden greeted her happily and looked around the room. “Where’s Bronte?”

“She’s in the bedroom sleeping. She just went down for her nap,” she said watching Rafe head into the bedroom without a word to her. Julia frowned at Eden. “What’s wrong? I don’t even deserve a greeting?” she asked hurt, but knew it was probably because of their conversation yesterday. “Is she still mad at me?” she asked, hoping Eden would think she was talking about the things that happened back home.

“We’ve had a really good day,” said Eden quietly. “Just give her time.” She looked toward the bedroom. “I’m going to see what she’s doing.” Eden walked quietly into the bedroom and saw Rafe sitting in the chair next to the bed looking at Bronte as she slept. “Hey,” she said quietly.

“Hi,” said Rafe not taking her eyes from Bronte. “I missed her,” she whispered. “She’s grown so much, and she’s such a talker now. I’m sorry I’ve not been there for her.”

“You’ve been there the best you could,” said Eden and put her hand on her shoulder. “She loves the videos you sent and asks to see them all the time.”

“It’s not the same,” said Rafe sadly. “I’m missing her grow up, too.” Looking down, Rafe fought to control the tears of sorrow welling in her eyes. She wiped them away before they could fall, and then she took a shuddering breath. “Thank you for letting me spend time with her. I was so happy she remembered me.”

“I would never let her forget you,” said Eden as she ran her hand over Rafe’s back. “You’re her mother, and she loves you.” She wanted to wrap her arms around Rafe and comfort her but wasn’t sure if she should. “Julia’s still out there. Don’t you want to talk to her? She helped me get here, and she’s been worried about you.”

“Really, you think she’s worried about me?” Rafe asked with a frown. “I don’t think she wants to talk to me.”

“I think she’s worried,” said Eden trying not to show her amusement at the fact Julia had just asked if Rafe was still mad. They still acted like school children sometimes, but they had been friends for a long time. Eden knew they would work things out. “She was a bit hurt you didn’t even say hello to her.” Eden took Rafe’s hand. “Come on,” she encouraged her, “let’s go talk to her.”

Rafe allowed herself to be pulled up from her chair and led out of the bedroom by Eden. She really didn’t want to deal with Julia. She did not like finding Julia rooted in the room like she had every right to be there. But if Julia was with Eden, then she did have the right.

Rafe was still angry with Julia about their conversation yesterday. She didn’t like Julia saying she was in love with Eden and saying things like ‘it just happened’ between them. Rafe knew she may have to accept it, but she didn’t have to like it. She didn’t like it because it made her feel like she was losing Eden all over again, and it hurt.

The other thing Rafe didn’t like was Eden professing her love today, knowing Eden was sleeping with Julia, or at least had been, Rafe wasn’t sure. Rafe particularly didn’t like the fact there was nothing she could do about it, and she had probably caused it to happen because she was sick. Most of all, Rafe did not like having no idea when she would be better and knowing she would have to live with the pain. She was uncertain if she could ever just accept Julia and Eden being together.

They found Julia sitting in the armchair beside the couch like a turgid sentinel waiting for them expectantly.

Eden sat on the couch and pulled Rafe down, so she sat next to her. “We took a ride on Rafe’s motorcycle,” said Eden happily, putting her hand on Rafe’s leg as if to hold her in place. She loved having her so close that she could touch her again. “It was a bit scary, but closing my eyes helped.” She smiled at Rafe then looked over at Julia. “I don’t think I could drive here. It seems like no one stays on their side of the line.”

“Those lines are just suggestions,” said Rafe with a shrug, smiling for Eden when she laughed. “I’m sorry there wasn’t a car available. Gabri is using them all for his guests.”

Julia bristled, holding in her thoughts that wanted to burst out about sending cars with huge Italian men to take children from their mothers. It was something Rafe’s father would probably have approved of doing. What didn’t surprise her was Eden letting Rafe get away with what she had done.

“It’s okay,” Eden assured her as she rubbed Rafe’s leg. “I thought it was fun. I wouldn’t mind riding with you again sometime.”

Rafe turned and saw Julia’s chafed look. “So,” said Rafe lifting her chin with an aggressive dark look to let her know she was still angry with her, “how have you been?” She stared menacingly.

“Brilliant,” said Julia, shifting uncomfortably. She got the message. Rafe was still angry, but she obviously hadn’t told Eden about their meeting yesterday. “It looks like you’re doing well.”

“Better than I was,” she said evenly, not letting the threat in her eyes make it into her voice.

Julia held Rafe’s stare, determined not to be the first to break eye contact, but she finally looked away. Still, she wouldn’t apologize for her feelings nor would she allow Rafe to intimidate her. She knew the path of destruction Rafe was capable of leaving behind, and she would be there for Eden.

“Everyone at home misses you,” said Eden happily, missing their silent exchange.

Rafe turned her attention back to Eden. “How is everyone else?”

“Abby was a wreck for a while without someone to complain about, but she’s good now,” said Julia with a smirk.

“She’s actually trying to do a screenplay,” said Eden excited to share the news. “I’ve been giving her tips and helping her.”

Julia rolled her eyes at what she thought was a waste of time, but at least Eden got paid. “Flynn’s working on a new phone app, and it’s equally ludicrous. It is an add-on to the GPS app that does things like cuss you out when you make a wrong turn or talks dirty when you do things right. He has several options.”

“It sounds fun,” said Eden, trying not to show her annoyance at Julia for not being supportive of their friends. “I think it’ll do well.” Eden watched Rafe who was still sitting on the edge of her seat looking at Julia with a frown. “Jude’s doing well,” Eden said and rubbed Rafe’s leg again, hoping she would relax. “She wanted me to thank you for still helping her with supplies for her art classes. She’s got a girlfriend,” Eden revealed with a smile. “It’s Susy from her massage business. She’s very sweet. I’ve taken your advice and gone for some massages.”

“Good for you,” said Rafe breaking her gaze from Julia. “I’m glad things are going well for Jude.” She was happy to hear her friends were okay. Rafe looked around the room to avoid looking at Eden. Sitting between them in their room made Julia’s words about her and Eden being together seem even more real.

“Stacey moved out,” continued Eden. “She got a job in New York about three months ago, I think.” She looked to Julia for reassurance because she had not been around the girls much lately. She had been working a lot to save for the trip. “Is that right?”

“Sounds right,” said Julia, glad Rafe was not staring at her anymore. “Abby was happy to see the back end of her. They never got along.”

“Letty asked me to tell you to call her,” said Eden. “She really misses you. She and Ephraim are looking into opening a second location.”

Rafe frowned down at her hands. She felt bad about not contacting Letty, but she knew if she did, everyone would expect Letty to be the messenger. Rafe didn’t want to put her in the middle. “I’ll try,” she said but made no commitment. “Tell her to send the information about the new location to Katheryn if she wants my help. I’ll tell Gabri to look for it.” She still needed time before she started talking to everyone again, but she wanted to help Letty if they needed it.

“Everyone at home has been thinking about you,” said Julia, seeing her chance to try to get some helpful information out of her. “They’re all wondering when, or if, you’ll come home.”

Rafe glanced at Eden then down at her hands again. “I don’t know when I’ll be back,” she said softly.

Julia nodded and observed Eden’s expression of disappointment. Rafe might be angry with her, but she obviously wasn’t going to do anything Eden hoped she would do. “Can you tell us anything at all?”

Rafe glared at her with a spark of anger in her eyes. She knew Julia was provoking her and it pissed her off. “Not at the moment.”

It was clear to Julia it wasn’t going to be easy to get things out of Rafe, which had always been par for the course. She decided to change the subject for Eden’s sake because she looked like she was about to cry. “When Bronte and I went out for a walk, I found out your friend will be performing tonight. I think the flier called him the Angelo di Firenze. So I guess he’s the Angel of Florence.”

“Yes,” said Rafe and her mouth twitched for a second with a slight smile, “that’s Gabri. He’s very good. I hope you get to hear him.” Rafe was happy the subject was not about her or what happened or when she was going home. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do about the Eden and Julia situation—if anything. She did know she couldn’t go home right now. “His wife, Nora, will be performing too. She has her own set then she’ll do a couple of songs with Gabri. They sound beautiful together. They’re recording an English version of Gabri’s CD and hope to tour in America.”

“I can’t wait to hear them,” said Eden. She was happy things were going well, but not with the way Julia was pushing Rafe. “Maybe we can all go together,” she suggested, hoping to spend more time with Rafe and let her see Bronte again.

“Maybe.” Rafe avoided eye contact with her and stood. “Well, I need to go. I need to change clothes and see what Gabri needs me to help with tonight.”

“Oh.” Eden was surprised the visit was ending so soon. “Well, when can we see you again? Will you be at the festival?” she asked as she stood and followed Rafe to the door.

“I don’t really know,” said Rafe honestly. “It depends on what’s going on at the villa.”

“I’ll bring Bronte,” said Eden, hoping it would motivate her to meet them. “She loves the music and the excitement.”

“I’m glad she likes the music.” Rafe smiled seeing through Eden’s ploy. “Gabri will be happy about it too.” Rafe turned her attention to Julia. “See you around, I guess,” she said gruffly knowing it would be a long time coming before she saw her again if she had anything to say about it.

“You too,” said Julia noting Rafe’s non-committal to Eden.

“Well,” said Rafe hesitantly. She gave Eden a light chaste kiss on her cheek. “Goodbye,” she said and walked out the door.

Eden followed her out and took her arm as the door to the room closed behind her. She looked around momentarily. Seeing the hallway was empty, she pulled Rafe close and lifted herself up on her toes, kissing her on the lips. “Bye,” she said softly.

“Bye,” said Rafe sadly. “You should probably get back to Julia,” she said, then turned and made her way down the stairs.