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Eden

His frown deepened and his hand dropped away. “Of course not.”

“Have you ever been in love?”

“My job doesn’t really allow for personal attachments.” He turned away and moved toward the door. “Are you ready to go down?”

“Were you in love with Susannah? Is that why you need to show her you’ve moved on?”

His shoulders tensed and he stopped.

“Bishop?”

He swung around. “You know this isn’t a real marriage, and we’re alone right now? You don’t need to behave like you’re jealous of any past relationships.”

“That’s not what I’m doing. But I think I need to know. If she was … is in love with you, then who knows how she’s going to react to my presence. I think it’s only fair to give me the chance to be ready for anything she might throw at me.”

He stared at me, and I thought he was going to leave without answering, but then he nodded.

“Okay, that’s fair. No, I wasn’t in love with her. I’m not in love with her now. Could that have changed? Maybe … if I hadn’t found out she’d been lying to me for months.”

“What about her?”

“I doubt it was more than scratching an itch for her, either.”

“I don’t believe that. If it was, then you wouldn’t need me to play the part of your wife.”

“I told you why.”

“Because of who her husband is, I know. But if you really thought she had no feelings for you, then surely, she wouldn’t care about the break-up, and you wouldn’t need to have a wife.”

“Interesting theory.”

“You don’t agree?” I stepped around him and walked back into the bedroom.

“I don’t think it matters whether I agree or not, you appear to have it all worked out in your head.”

I picked up a pair of flats and sat on the edge of the bed to put them on. “You never did answer my question, though.”

In the middle of putting on his jacket, he paused. “What question?”

“Whether you’ve ever been in love.”

“I’m pretty sure I did answer that.”

“No, you just said your job doesn’t really allow for personal relationships. That’s not a no.”

“I’ve never been hit by the urge to confess my love to a woman, other than my mother. How’s that?”

I straightened, then stood. “Good enough.”

He didn’t move from where he stood, staring at me, brow furrowed.

“What?”

“You seem different today. Less unsure, more confident.”

His words hit me … hard . I felt different. I hadn’t really noticed, but once he mentioned it, it was obvious. I felt like the person I’d been before I met Chester. Before everything happened. Before I had to leave my entire life behind and run from a man who wouldn’t leave me alone.

It was a feeling that had been building slowly over the past couple of days. Ever since Bishop took me to his home in Glenville.

I felt … safe . I didn’t have to look over my shoulder in case Chester or someone he knew was watching me. I didn’t have to go to sleep wondering if I’d wake up and find him in my room.

For the first time in months, I felt almost relaxed.

I smiled. “Maybe I’m just embracing my role. From the way everyone reacted to your announcement, you wouldn’t marry a woman who was scared of her own shadow.”

“No, I wouldn’t.” He held out his arm. “Ready to convince everyone we’re destined to be together?”

I curled my fingers into his sleeve. “I do believe I am, Mr. Chambers.”

***

There were four new faces sitting on the terrace when Bishop led me outside. Two women and two men. Crosby stood when we arrived.

“I was wondering whether we’d need to send a search party. Grab a seat. Everyone, this is Bishop and Eden. Kennedy and Saul Hauptman. Kennedy is a friend of Dana’s. David and Susannah Fletcher. David and I go way back.” His eyes met Bishop’s. “I look after his money the same way I do yours.”

Bishop’s arm flexed beneath my hand, but to his credit, that was his only reaction to hearing Susannah’s name. David Fletcher unfolded himself from his seat—a big broad-shouldered man with a beard that covered half of his face—and I held my breath as he came toward us. He stopped and thrust out a hand.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Bishop.” His voice was a deep rumble. “Your line of work is interesting; I’d like to chat with you about it sometime.”

“Sure.” Bishop’s voice was relaxed as he shook the other man’s hand.

“Help yourself to food.” Crosby jerked his chin toward a line of tables where an array of finger foods had been spread out. “The bar is also open.” His hand waved to another part of the terrace where an actual bar was set up. Dana and Tallulah were standing beside it.

“Eden, honey, come over here!” Tallulah called.

I let my hand drop from Bishop’s arm. “Nice to meet you,” I said to David. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and get us both a drink. What would you like, darling? ”

Bishop didn’t miss a beat. “Bourbon, neat. Thanks, sweetheart.”

I nodded at David and walked over to where Dana and Tallulah waited. Dana handed me a drink.

“What is it?”

“Mimosa. You’re going to need it, and more. I’d half-hoped Susannah wouldn’t come but—”

“But?”

Her lips twisted. “I shouldn’t speak ill of Crosby’s friends, but that one is trouble.”

“Can you really call David a friend?” Tallulah murmured, her back to the men. “I’d call it more of a mutually beneficial acquaintanceship. He’s a man Crosby couldn’t afford to insult by not inviting him. I’d hoped he would come tomorrow and not stay, though.”

I glanced between them. “You don’t like them?”

Dana sipped her drink. “Susannah tried to sleep with Crosby. Not liking her doesn’t even come close to how I feel.”

“Oh.”

“Keep an eye on her, Eden. She’ll come after Bishop.”

“I don’t think I have anything to worry about.” She clearly had no idea that Bishop had already been in a relationship with Susannah, and I wasn’t about to tell her.

“No, but it won’t stop her from trying. It’s a game to her. I’m not convinced David isn’t aware of it, either. They’re a strange couple.”