Page 28

Eden

“I didn’t expect the mall to be this big.”

Magdalena laughed. “Because it’s on the outskirts of town, it’s a prime location for people who are driving to the city. Close enough to town for us to visit, far enough away for commuters not to want to detour into Glenville.” She linked her arm through mine and led me through the entrance doors.

“The mall is over three floors. The top floor is mostly food courts and restaurants. There are some great second-hand stores tucked away if you like that kind of thing.”

“Do you ?”

“I love digging through them. You never know what kind of hidden gem you might find. I thought we could start with clothes. Bishop demanded I make sure you have some casual wear ... And you might need a swimsuit for the weekend. Rook says Crosby has an indoor pool.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think I’ll have time for swimming.”

“Maybe, maybe not. It’s best to be prepared.” She nodded toward a clothing store directly ahead. “Why don’t we go and take a look in there first. I want some new jeans.”

And that started a shopping expedition that I hadn’t really expected to enjoy but did. We embraced the ‘shop ’til you drop’ experience, and eventually collapsed, exhausted, at the nearest table when lunch time arrived, surrounded by bags. Most of them were Magdalena’s, but she’d convinced me to pick up a purchase or two of my own.

“I’m starved!” Magdalena announced and waved the menu at me. “What do you want to eat?”

I scanned over the menu. We’d stopped at a well-known fast-food chain. “Burger and fries. It can be nothing else.”

She laughed. “Agreed. And shakes. No adult drinks for us today. You stay here, I’ll go place the order. Protect our bags with your life!”

I was still laughing when she came back a few minutes later.

“They’ll bring it over.” She dropped back onto her seat. “My legs are killing me. I don’t think I’ve walked so much in months. Rook won’t usually let me out alone.”

I must have made some noise or expression of concern because she smiled. “Oh, nothing concerning.” She waved a hand. “He worries, that’s all. And when we do come shopping, he scares everyone with his growls and glares.” She didn’t sound upset by that. “But it’s nice to get out now and then with another woman.”

I couldn’t argue with that. Shopping with her was a slice of normality I’d been missing for a long time. I let out a soft sigh and leaned forward to rest my elbows on the table and propped my chin on my hand.

“I’ve enjoyed today,” I told her.

Her smile was bright. “Me too. I don’t have many girlfriends. Actually, I don’t have any . I used to have a roommate, but …” her lips twisted. “I don’t know. Things just went weird, and it’s hard to trust people these days. But you’re with Bishop, and he’s not going to be with someone he can’t trust.”

“It’s that simple?”

“Once you’ve been with him for a while, you’ll understand what I mean. They … all three of them … are very protective of their family, their privacy, and everyone’s safety. They don’t bring people into their circle without very careful consideration of everyone else.”

I bit my lip. It would be so easy to tell her the truth, but Bishop had insisted we behave as though our marriage wasn’t a lie to his brother and his girlfriend.

“Thank you!” Magdalena sent a smile to the server who placed our food down between us and popped a fry into her mouth. “When Rook told me Bishop had got married, I must admit it surprised me. I’ve been with Rook for six months and Bishop has never introduced a girlfriend. I know he’s not been celibate in the time I’ve known him. A man like him …” She laughed. “Anyway, here you are! Not his girlfriend but his wife . I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m dying of curiosity about how that happened.”

I took my burger and fries off the tray and pushed a straw into the shake. “I’m not really sure myself,” I said slowly. “I guess he just … swept me off my feet. He’s very hard to say no to.”

“That’s the truth. Rook is like a freight train when he sets his mind on something. There’s no convincing him otherwise. The only time the word no enters their vocabulary is when they’re the one saying it.”

I nodded. “That’s exactly it. Bishop said we’re getting married and that was that. There was no changing his mind.”

“He must have fallen really hard for you.” She paused for a mouthful of milkshake. “Rook wondered if it was part of a job at first, but after seeing you both together. It’s obvious he has feelings for you. Rook said he’s never seen his brother focus on a woman the way he did with you at dinner last night.”

“He spent most of it talking to Rook. I don’t think he was that focused on me.” I laughed off her words.

She didn’t.

“You weren’t paying attention. Every time you moved or spoke, he looked at you. When you dropped your napkin and leaned down to pick it up, his hand covered the corner of the table to stop you hitting your head, without a single break in his conversation with Rook. A man who isn’t interested doesn’t watch for things like that, Eden.” She ate another fry. “But I don’t need to tell you that. You married him, so you must be just as obsessed with him.”

“I—” I broke off when one of the roaming security guards stopped near our table.

My stomach flipped.

Was he looking at me? Did he recognize me?

My fingers inched toward the cell in my pocket, but his eyes swept over us both and moved on. My exhale was shaky.

“Are you okay? You’ve gone white.”

I blinked and refocused on the woman opposite me. “I’m fine. I think all the walking this morning has caught up with me. Let’s eat and recharge.”