Lovin' Blue (11 page)

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Authors: Zuri Day

BOOK: Lovin' Blue
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21
“Oh, my goddess, this is
amazing!
” Ariel took another bite of her guacamole and cheese burrito—which was actually a raw, vegan concoction made with nut cheese, salsa, and vegetables rolled up in a collard green. She'd been singing the praises of her new, 80 percent raw diet ever since starting it the previous week. It was early evening, and she and Eden had met back up after both ran errands. They were eating at Ariel's new favorite Santa Monica restaurant, Planet RAW. “How is your burger?”
“Well . . . I think it would work better for me if they didn't call it a burger,” Eden honestly answered. At that moment she thought of Jansen and how he'd react to trying something so different. She'd been doing way too much imagining of Jansen trying things—especially those positions he'd described. She forced those thoughts away and refocused on the food in front of her. “Seeing the words
bacon western double
sets up a certain expectation, even for someone who's only eaten veggie burgers for the past four years. But for a dish made solely with nuts, grains, and vegetables, it is a respectable nod to its namesake.” Eden took another bite of the burger, topped with macadamia-nut cheese, heirloom ketchup, and fig mustard. “You know, Ariel, the more I eat it, the more I like it. It's different, but good.”
“That's exactly what happened to me. When Travis—oops!” Ariel's face turned red, even as her green eyes sparkled.
“Oh, no—too late! Who's this man that has you as red as a beet?”
“He's just . . . the guy who told me about this place,” Ariel said, trying without success to regain her composure.
“Uh-huh,” Eden answered. She crossed her arms while leaning back in her chair.
“Okay, he's just the most gorgeous, most amazing man I've ever met in my life,” Ariel gushed. “But I wasn't going to mention him to anyone. It's all so new and magical—I don't want to jinx it.”
“Then my lips are sealed.”
“Thanks, Eden.”
“So if you weren't going to mention the guy we won't mention to me, then what is the good news you said you'd share later?”
Ariel clapped her hands together. “I got a job!”
“That's great, Ariel!” Looking for employment was another thing in common Eden and Ariel had shared when they met. “From the look on your face, it's obviously one you wanted.”
“Absolutely. I'm going to be working at a new healing center in Venice—the Zen Den—with an absolutely fabulous shaman.”
“Shaman?” For the most part, Eden embraced the new-age lifestyle, but some things were still a bit much for this ex-government worker.
“Yes! He's a fifth-generation healer, and he's so amazing. His name is Om. He combines his natural gift of spirit communication with energy healing. He's a master, and I get to be his assistant!” Ariel drained her bottle of Kombucha, a fermented drink for which Eden hadn't developed a taste. Ariel drank it like an ambrosia. “And the Zen Den?” she continued. “Oh, my
goddess
, Eden. It's filled with gorgeous green plants and serenity fountains. There's a meditation garden behind the facility, along with a labyrinth and a sweat lodge.”
Sweat lodge?
“Okay, girl, you've lost me now.”
Ariel placed a hand on Eden's arm. “Trust me, Eden. It's exactly where you need to be.”
“Me?”
“Yes! That's part of the good news I want to share with you. I think they have a position with your name written all over it.”
Eden raised her brows but remained quiet. So far she couldn't see herself anywhere near the Zen Den.
“I don't officially start until next week, but I've gone every day since being hired and, Eden, there is something special about that place. When I learned that they are looking for a managing director to run the facility, I immediately thought of you.”
“I don't know, Ariel.”
“Why? With your organizational skills and attention to detail, you'd be perfect!”
“Yes, administrative management is a strong suit of mine, but, quite frankly, it sounds like this may be a little too different from the world I left. I'm thinking more like working in a yoga studio or one of the alternative-medicine facilities here in Santa Monica. I've even thought about a job at Whole Foods.”
“Uh, earth to Eden, come in, please! The Zen Den is the epitome of a holistic center and more! We're offering every modality imaginable to balance and heal one's mind, body, and spirit.”
There's no denying your passion, little sistah.
Nor had Eden missed the possessive “we” with which Ariel aligned herself to the center.
Ariel continued, counting on her fingers. “There's yoga, pilates, acupuncture, reiki, and other forms of energy healing. There's a western-trained medical doctor on staff who's spent the last ten years in China and India practicing alternative medicine, an herbalist who's a master of Chinese medicine, plus several practitioners trained in a variety of spiritual healing. I have a very strong feeling about this, Eden. This is where you're supposed to be.” When Eden remained silent, Ariel decided she'd pressed enough for now. “So, Eden . . . how's your roommate?”
Eden looked up to see Ariel's sparkling green eyes boring into hers. The knowing look on her face dared Eden to try to act as though she didn't know to whom Ariel was referring. She resisted the urge to fidget, instead returning Ariel's intense gaze, sans the devilish smirk. “Jansen? He's fine, but he's no longer my roommate. My brother arrived back from Europe last night, and Jansen went back to his place.”
“Ah, so that explains the energy I was picking up from you earlier during yoga. I noticed how quiet you were when you came in. I had a feeling you were thinking about your guy, but—”
“Jansen's not my guy—”
Eden was interrupted by the sound of Ariel's tinkling laughter. “You are so funny, Eden! No, please, let's not do this.” Ariel sobered for a moment. “Whatever we share stays strictly between us. As an intuitive, I often know more about people's lives than what they're comfortable with. You and Jansen were together in a past life, and you're destined to be together again. The less you both fight it, the more beneficial the partnership will be for both of you.” Ariel paused, gauged Eden's reaction, and saw that she definitely had her friend's attention. “If you'd like more detailed information, I can perform a tarot reading for you.”
“No, thanks, Ariel,” Eden responded, thinking that the only taro she was comfortable hanging out with was the root vegetable used in her casserole dish. “I don't need any cards to tell me what's up. I already know.” She took a sip of water and continued. “You're right, I'm attracted to Jansen, and the feeling is mutual. We went on our first official date last night.”
“That's exciting!” Ariel exclaimed. And then, in a lower voice, “How was it?”
“What, the food? Oh, it was good.”
“Ha! Yeah, I bet. So how was
dessert?
”
“You know what, Ariel Sun, no one should let your airy demeanor fool them. When it comes to getting information, you're like a pit bull! I should tell you, however, that I'm equally as determined to keep my business to myself.” Eden's smile dissipated the sharpness of her words.
“Sure thing, Eden. But I bet that's not what you told Jansen last night!”
“Girl, let me get out of here. I'm moving on Wednesday and still want to hit a few stores before they close.”
“Okay, but promise me you'll visit the Zen Den this week. I want you to meet Om, maybe have him do some energy work on you, balance your chi.”
“I promise I'll visit the facility. We'll see about . . . anything else once I get there.”
Once outside the restaurant, the two women hugged. “Thanks for dinner,” Ariel said.
“You're welcome.” Eden started toward her car.
“Oh, and Eden?” Eden turned around. “Jansen's thinking about you. He's hungry, and not for anything in his fridge.”
Ariel winked and was gone before Eden could reply. Eden pulled out her phone and tapped her brother's picture. She'd rather call someone else, but Michael was the easiest way to get Jansen's number. Eden smiled, thinking that for all her talk of stardust and fairies, there was definitely something to Ariel's psychic gift. Eden's mind had gone to Jansen just before Ariel had called out to her. She'd been wondering what he was doing at the very moment Ariel had said he was thinking about her, had been thinking of one of his last statements before arriving to the surprise of Michael back home.
If dessert is what you want, Jansen McKnight, dessert is what you'll get.
Eden headed to the mall, mentally planning the rest of her evening and how a silk-wrapped caramel-chocolate surprise was going to end up on Jansen's doorstep.
22
Eden had just left the mall and was on her way to Michael's house when her phone rang. “Hey, Michael.”
“Hey, sis. So check this out. The man just finished installing my new alarm system.”
“I see you didn't waste any time implementing Jansen's suggestion.”
“Of course not! When it comes to thieves and protection, Jansen knows his stuff. Anyway, I need to give you the code. I'll show you all the other details tonight, or tomorrow if I get back too late.”
“Oh, you're going out?”
“Yeah, going to meet up with a little honey I left simmering before my trip.”
“What happened to the chick you were seeing when I came here house hunting six months ago?”
“Bridgett—that's who I'm talking about.”
“All right, now! She's passed the six-month mark. When do I meet her?”
“Maybe this week. I'm heading back to London soon for an extended stay. I'm thinking of taking her with me.”
“Wow, sounds serious. You know how Mom's been talking about grandkids. You're almost forty, big brother. It's time for you to settle down.”
“You may be right.”
Wow, he's for real.
There was only one other time Eden could remember Michael talking this serious about someone, which was also the one and only time she could remember him getting his heart broken—when his fiancée had broken their engagement because, as she'd put it, she was “revisiting her sexuality.”
Michael gave Eden the security code and prepared to end the call. “All right then, Eden, later.”
“No, Michael, wait. I need to get something from you.” Eden hesitated, nervous as to how Michael would react to her request.
There's only one way to find out.
“What's Jansen's number?”
“You mean homeboy is hitting it, and you don't even have his number?”
“I never said Jansen was hitting it, Michael. That was your assumption. And, no, I don't have his number because I didn't
need
his number. We were staying in the same house, remember?”
“I would think that if Jansen was that interested in keeping in touch, he would have gotten your number.”
“Look, Michael, I have a daddy, and you aren't him. If you don't want to give me the number, don't. But don't give me advice I didn't ask for either, because I don't need it!”
“Fine. I won't.” The click in Eden's ear was Michael's good-bye.
Eden gripped the wheel, frustration flowing to her very core.
How dare Michael try to run my life!
“We're not kids anymore!” she hissed aloud. At the end of the day, she knew Michael was just being Michael. He had tried to tell her what to do from the time he rocked her cradle, and most of the time she'd let him. Come to think of it, this was the first time she'd truly gone against his opinion or not taken his advice. But there was a first time for everything, and when it came to Jansen, Eden appreciated her brother's concern but knew she had to follow her heart. She thought of the silky gold nightie she'd found that came with a matching thong. “Oh, brother, why do you have to be the hitch in my giddyup?” Eden sighed as she exited the freeway, wondering if she should stop and get a video, because unless Ariel's tarot cards or intuition could provide her with Jansen's telephone number, it looked like it would definitely be another long night.
An hour later, Eden felt better. She'd come home, poured herself a glass of woodsy pinot noir, and was now enjoying both it and the CD Ariel had suggested she download, while soaking in a tub of bubbly hot water. The near-constant tension she carried in her neck and shoulder area (her mother said this came from Eden trying to carry the weight of the world) eased as Eden sank deeper into the baby-oil-infused water. She reached for her wineglass, repositioned her bath pillow, and closed her eyes. If she couldn't be in Jansen's arms, she'd bask in this paradise of her own making.
Her cell phone rang.
Oh, please, not now.
Eden knew it was her mother calling, and she didn't want to move. But then she remembered that Phyllis had called earlier, when Eden was in a checkout line at the mall. She'd forgotten all about calling her back. Eden thought about switching off the call but then changed her mind. She and her mother talked almost every day. “Make it quick, Mom,” Eden said after allowing the call and pushing the speaker button. “I'm enjoying a delicious soak, and you're an interruption.”
“Then that's all the more reason to make this break worth your while.”
Jansen!
Eden almost dropped her wineglass into the tub. As it was, the water sloshed from side to side from her abrupt change in position. “Jansen! Hey! How'd you get my number?”
“After enduring an interrogation that would make the FBI proud, your brother gave it to me.”
Eden smiled. “Oh. So what's up?”
“You even have to ask?”
Was it just her, or did her hot water just get hotter?
“Looks like my timing is perfect. After you finish your bath, just wrap yourself in a towel and head straight to my house. That'll save me a step or two.”
“Who says that, one, I'd even come over to your house and, two, if I did, that there would be any undressing involved?”
Jansen chuckled. Eden grew wet, and the water in the tub was not the reason. “Baby girl,” he answered, his voice low and soft, “I could barely do my job today for thinking about finishing what we started. I called Mike last night, but I guess he was asleep. I called him again as soon as I got off work. Nothing was more important to me than getting your number. Of course, I felt like an ass for not having it in the first place. And then to have to go through your chaperone . . .”
“Michael means well.”
“I know that.”
The sound of sloshing water could be heard as Eden lifted herself out of the tub and reached for the large, fluffy white towels she'd purchased that would accompany her to her new home.
“Mmmm, baby, I can just imagine how you look with those rivulets of water running down your body between those soft titties and that nice and trimmed cat I'm going to lick tonight.”
Eden's legs almost buckled, even as her face broke out with a smile. “Stop talking nasty.”
Jansen stretched his legs in front of him to accommodate his growing erection. “Talking isn't the only nasty that's going to happen tonight.”
“Oh, is that a fact?” Eden purred.
“No, baby, that's a promise. Now key my address into your phone and then get over here before I have to put out an APB for my stuff.”

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