Finding Eden (A Sign of Love Novel)(42)

"I told him I'd call him after the party." I frowned, trying not to tear up. "I thought he'd have at least contacted me by now though." I felt tears prick my eyes. "It's complicated, I guess. He has a girlfriend. He practically lives with her."
Molly's face fell. "God, Eden, I'm sorry. I heard the girlfriend part. I didn't know he lives with her. Still though, obviously he chooses you, right?"
I bit my lip, thinking about her question. "I don't know. I mean . . . I think maybe, but how will I know for sure I'm the one he really wants? I mean, he says he doesn't love her, but does he feel an obligation to be with me? We're both different people now. God, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact he's alive, that he made it out."
Molly nodded, studying me. "It's a pretty unbelievable story," she said. "Jaw dropping, actually. And I haven't even heard all the details."
I opened my mouth to speak when Carolyn breezed into the room.
"Good morning, Eden sweetheart," she said, coming over to me and hugging me tightly. "Are you all right?" Her eyes moved over my face as if looking for damage.
I shrugged. "Not so much, Mom. But I think I will be."
"Well of course you will be." Her eyes were large pools of sympathy. "This party will be the perfect thing to get your mind off that boy."
I frowned. "I don't want to get him off my mind."
She waved her hand around. "Well you know what I mean, of course. As wonderful as it is to know that your friends survived that awful flood," she shivered, "he's involved with another woman and has moved on with his life." She frowned. "That must be awfully disappointing. But, darling Eden, you have your whole life in front of you. It's for the best that you move on, too, don't you think? Find a nice boy who doesn't remind you constantly of that terrible, terrible place?"
"Do you mean remind you of that terrible, terrible place?" Molly asked sharply from behind her.
Carolyn looked over at her, hurt registering in her expression. "I think it's best for all of us to look to the future, not to the tragedy of the past," she said.
Molly let out a breath. "I didn't mean to be harsh, Carolyn" she said. She frowned and glanced at me. "I just think we need to let Eden decide what's best for her life. We need to let Eden decide what she's ready to move on from and when."
I let out a breath, feeling thankful for Molly. In such a short period of time, she had become not just a cousin, but more like a very dear sister. Something I had never had. Somehow she knew me well even though we’d never met before a month ago. I knew she had my back and it helped me to be more patient with Carolyn.
My mom looked back at me. "Well, of course." She tilted her head and smiled. "I just hope that you'll let your mom help and guide you, too, my darling girl. I like to think I've come by some wisdom in this long lifetime of mine. And I've missed out on mothering you. Please, have it in your heart to let me do some of that now."
I let out a breath. "Of course I do. Thank you, Mom." I hugged her again and then turned to my dresser where I intended to grab the tights my mom had bought me.
My mom and Molly both gasped out and I turned back to them, startled. "What?" I asked sharply.
"What happened to you?" My mom cried out.
"Huh?"
My mom led me to my mirror and turned me around. I looked over my shoulder, my stomach dropping. There were bruises and finger marks all over my back, my thighs, and my shoulders. "Oh, uh . . ."
Molly started laughing softly and when I glanced at her in the mirror she smacked her hand over her mouth.