Page 84 of Filthy Twisted Devil

I have a feeling we’re both getting pretty good at lying to ourselves about what we’re doing.

Walking out of the Flair Events office, my head spins with competing emotions. I’m eager to see Eden again later, especially in that dress. Fuck, I’ll get to spend all night looking at her, looking stunning while she charms every person she meets.

But I’m dreading dropping her off at her apartment and going back to my empty one. Those are the worst parts of these fake dates—when I’m alone and frustrated in my bed, fisting my cock and fantasizing about Eden.

So many times, when I say good night to her, I’ve had to stop myself from saying what I really want.

Let’s stop faking it.

I’d say it, if it weren’t for Brinley. Their friendship is frayed enough as it is, thanks to me. I refuse to be the man who destroys it entirely. Eden was smart to give us an end date, to put a constraint on this thing that we’re both obviously not in control of. We were doomed from the start.

Unless Brinley changes her mind.

If there’s any way my sister could accept me dating Eden, I’d do it in a heartbeat. It’s too risky to ask her, though. She’d blow up before I could get an honest answer. Maybe I can ask Beau, or make sure she’s in a really good mood before I talk to her about it.

Frustrated, I drag my fingers through my hair. It’s an impossible mission, probing Brinley’s feelings about this mess, but I have to find a way. It’s the only way Eden and I can have a future that’s at all real.

35

EDEN

April

Cat

It’s official. Contractions are starting.

Pippa

OH MY GOD IT’S HAPPENING!!!!!!

Brinley

YAY! It’s yay, right? Because if I were you, I’d be terrified right now.

Cat

I'm not scared. I’m ready to meet this baby.

Brinley

Then I salute you for your bravery.

Maura

How far apart are the contractions?

Cat

Ten minutes apart. The midwife is not supposed to come until they're five minutes apart, but of course Nate made her come early. The poor woman is sitting in our living room with nothing to do.

It could be up to 12 hours until we even get close to things starting. I know you were all planning on going to Luke's once labor started, but you don’t need to rush.

Eden

Keep us updated! I’m just sitting in the office folding napkins into swans for a wedding.

Iattach a picture of the gigantic table full of napkin swans. I’ve already folded at least a hundred of them, so the display is pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. Cat, Maura, and Pippa all drop a heart reaction. Brinley doesn’t reply, which puts me on edge. She might have just put her phone away, or it might be the silent treatment.