insane’ wasn’t an entry in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. No matter the location, everyone—and I mean everyone—deserves the right to talk to someone, to find professional help when the darkness becomes too much to bear. Just because they are behind bars doesn’t make them less of a person.” Jeremiah sat the plate of toasted and buttered bread on the table. “I’m no longer hungry. I’ll gather my stuff and see myself out.”
“Zeke.” Eden’s growled warning or the fact that Zeke realized he was being an ass had the guy moving. She took the pan off the burner and watched Jeremiah move into the living room.
“Dude, man… I’m sorry. It has to be the lack of sleep. I didn’t mean to put down what you do.” Zeke stopped on the far side of the kitchen table and watched as Jeremiah grabbed his boots.
Jeremiah threw a glance his direction. “Yeah, you did. You were preening in front of the woman you have your sights on. I get it, man.” He sat down on the chair and pulled on his socks and boots.
Zeke opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. “Damn.” He scrubbed his face and glanced at her. “I’m sorry.”
Zeke said the words to her and not to Jeremiah. She frowned at him and shook her head. “Jeremiah, I know you are staying for a couple days. Please, leave your things here. When you and Gen meet up you can stop by and pick them up.”
Jeremiah slung his leather jacket over his shoulder and smiled at her. It was the type of smile that would melt any woman’s heart and warm her blood. “Thank you for your hospitality, Eden, but everything I need is in my saddlebags. I’ll find the deputy and give him my statement while I’m waiting for Gen to get home.” He headed to the back stairwell. “Johnson, it’s been real.” The door shut quietly after him.
Eden spun on her heel and slammed her hands onto her hips. Zeke blinked at her sudden turn and put his hands in the air in supplication, but the action didn’t stop her. She shook her head and narrowed her eyes. “Ezekiel Johnson, what on earth was that?”
Zeke linked his hands behind his neck and stared at her. “He was right. I was showboating to put him down and impress you. He knows Gen?”
“She’s his sister, and newsflash, Zeke, that shit doesn’t work, and why in the heck would you want to do that?”
“Are you kidding?” Zeke’s jaw slackened.
“Do you see laughter in this expression?” she countered, pointing at her face.
“Eden, I don’t know how much plainer I need to make it. I want a relationship with you, and you’ve kept me at arm’s length. What was I supposed to do, watch him come in here and sweep you off your feet?”
She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut, trying to compose the things she wanted to say, but the swirling miasma of ‘oh shit’ that was floating around in her gray matter would not be settled, not with a pause. She drew a deep breath. “First, Zeke, I like you––as a friend.”
Zeke groaned and dropped his head back, staring at the ceiling. Finally, he looked at her. “You friend-zoned me? Because of him?”
Eden frowned and shook her head. “Because of Jeremiah? No. Absolutely not. Because I don’t feel anything more for you than a friend? Yes.”
Zeke stepped forward. “Give me a chance, Eden. I know I could be the man you want me to be.”
She smiled; her anger floated away with his words. “Don’t you see? Changing for me should tell you I’m not the one for you.”
“Nothing, huh?” He took her hand in his and stared down at it.
“Friendship isn’t nothing, Zeke, it is precious.” She squeezed his hand and then slipped from his grasp. “Do you want eggs? They’re tough as rubber by now.” She tried to right the environment in the room by moving the conversation back to the mundane.
“You know, I’m not hungry either. I’m going to go grab my truck and head down to my office. Call if you need me for anything.”
“I will.” She watched as he hesitated at the front steps. He dipped his head and opened the door, closing it behind him.
Eden spun and grabbed the sink, staring out the window. She’d tried to let him down gently; the conversation was overdue, but still, saying the words and hurting a friend was never easy. How in the world