Page 45 of Still A Cowboy
Fia smiled just a little. “Done,”
Cal’s gaze drifted to Willa. She hadn’t said anything, but her eyes were full of all the words she was holding back. He could see she didn’t like this plan, but she wasn’t stopping him either.
He crossed to her, cupped her face gently, and kissed her. It was just long enough to feel her lean into him, just long enough to make it hard to leave.
“I’ll be back,” he said, his voice low.
“And if you’re not, I’ll understand why,” she whispered back.
Cal groaned but started moving. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and when he pulled it out and glanced at the screen, he saw it was yet another complaint text from Darlene.
Hell, this wasn’t letting up. He slipped the phone back into his jacket and went out the door. Even if he got Eden to admit what she’d done, even if the video got pulled, the damage was already in motion. The story was out there. His name was tied to the mess. The fallout was coming.
But that was a fight for later.
Right now, he had a confession to chase down.
Cal climbed into his rental car and pulled out his phone to search for Eden’s address. He had been so focused on the Seaglass and the mess unfolding there that he hadn’t even thought to ask where she lived. A quick search pulled it up. She had a houseon the edge of town, tucked close to the curve of the beach.
The drive was short, but his mind spun the entire way. He replayed the videos, the conversations, the tangled web Eden had been weaving since the moment he had limped back into her life. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he turned onto her street.
Her house was exactly what he should have expected. Sleek, modern lines, tall windows that overlooked the beach, a wide porch with crisp white columns, and a long stone driveway that curled past the front door. She had done well for herself.
As he pulled in, he noted the cars three cars parked there. So she wasn’t alone. That could either work in his favor or make things harder, but at least she was home.
Cal killed the engine and stepped out. The salty breeze rolled in strong from the ocean, the sound of waves crashing in the distance. Part of him wondered if she would even open the door. If she would see him standing there and slam it shut in his face.
He took the steps two at a time and knocked. His patience had limits. Today they were hanging by a thread.
Eden answered the door, her surprise flickering for only a second before she smoothed it over with a smile. She looked effortlessly put together, her hair glossy, her dress stylish butcasual like she had just been entertaining without a care in the world.
“Well, Cal,” she said sweetly. “What a surprise. I have guests. Would you like to join us for dinner?”
“No.” His tone left no room for pleasantries. “Step out here with me.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she obliged, stepping onto the porch. He pulled the door shut behind her, cutting off the low hum of conversation from inside.
The wind tugged at the hem of her dress. She crossed her arms loosely, as if amused but not fully comfortable. “What’s this about?” she asked.
Cal wasted no time. “Are you in the video?”
Her brows drew together in a neat little frown. “What video?”
“The one that went viral. The one that is causing damage to Willa and me. The one filmed from the Driftwood Manor. The one you leaked.”
Eden let out a soft, dismissive laugh. “You think I leaked that? Cal, come on.”
“I’m asking you.”
“And I’m telling you. No, I didn’t leak anything. I’m not in any video, and I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His jaw clenched. “You expect me to believe that?”
She met his gaze, calm and cool. “Yes. Because it’s the truth.”
Cal studied her face, but Eden was good. Ifshe was lying, she wore the lie well. But he wasn’t giving up yet. Not until he got more. Not until he pushed harder.
He yanked his phone from his jacket pocket and quickly pulled up the video. He froze the frame on the masked woman, holding it out for Eden to see.
