Page 44 of Pretty Thing

“The girl from the crash. I told you about her.”

Matt shakes his head.

“Wait…the girl from the crash? Her parents just died, and you’re going out on a date? That’s kind of messed up, man.”

I shoot him a glare. “No, I’m just going over to see her and take her dinner.” I shrug. “She doesn’t have anyone else, and I like her.”

“Meeting people at a crash is not the way I’d go to hook up with a chick, but you’ve always been different.”

I glare at him, but he spins on the stool and shoots me smirk.

“I’m not going to try and explain. Can you finish cleaning and lock up?”

“Yeah, of course.” He nods to my foot. “No more boot?”

“Naw, it was annoying me. I can handle a little bit of pain.”

He shakes his head. “Yeah, pretty sure that’s not the point.”

I smile, shrugging on my black, leather jacket.

“You going to have some ideas to show me tomorrow? I’d like to get your work up on the wall for people to start choosing you.”

“I don’t know, man. Am I ready?”

“Stop second-guessing yourself, you know you’re fucking good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I slip out into the darkening sky. Heavy, wet snow is already making the streets a mess.

It takes thirty-six minutes to get to Eden’s neighborhood. Pulling into the driveway, I park and grab the bag of groceries that I picked up at lunch. My mood lifts as soon as I step up onto the porch and see Eden through the bay window that looks into the livingroom. She is on the couch reading.

I don’t bother knocking. Instead, I use the key to unlock the door so she doesn’t have to get up.

Eden looks up as I walk in.

“Hey there.” I hold up the bag. “I brought you some groceries.”

“Felix…I wasn’t expecting you.” She looks at the door. “Did I not lock the door again?”

I shrug out of my jacket and take off my boots before wandering closer. I don’t like the expression on her face today. She looks suspicious, like she’s worried. She has nothing to worry about from me.

I leave the bag on the front hall table and then sit beside Eden.

“You look upset. Is something wrong? Did something happen at physio? I kept checking my texts to see if you sent anything.”

Eden sets her book aside and crosses her arms. I take note of the book and who the author is.

“Physiotherapy was fine, but I am upset.”

“Oh?”

“I got a call from the funeral home today. They wanted me to know that they were able to get the sunflowers for the arrangements.”

“That’s great. Elosie was pretty sure she could,” I say, happy that they’re able to get what Eden will find perfect for the arrangements.

I place my hand on her leg and rub my thumb back and forth.

“Felix…you never told me you made arrangements for my parents’ funeral. You didn’t even tell me that the service is on Saturday. It’s a huge overstep even if you are trying to help. Even Kyle thought so.”