Trusting Stone by Alexa Sinclaire Page B

She had been dreading seeing him. But now, watching him walking across his building’s foyer toward her with a huge smile on his face, she beamed back at him and realized she was glad to see him.
    The history between them made her feel relaxed, as long as she kept certain memories pushed to the side. Joachim was two years older than her and, during her breakdown and slow recovery, he had finished law school and was making a name for himself at Benedict, Turner, and Smith.
    She couldn’t help but notice how handsome he looked in his suit. His blond hair was usually floppy and messy, but today he was wearing it slicked back and under control. Eden had always teased Joachim that he grew up on the wrong coast—his hair color and relaxed features gave him a surfer-boy look. She had always been amused that Joachim managed to pull off wearing a suit. He was best suited in flip-flops, worn-out jeans, and some threadbare band t-shirt.
    He played football throughout high school and college and she knew how hard he worked at keeping in shape. His broad shoulders and rock hard body fit so perfectly in his football gear it was always a surprise to see that he didn’t look like the Incredible Hulk when he was wearing anything else. From what she could see in the suit, he was clearly maintaining his muscle mass.
    Joachim finally reached her and swung her around as if she weighed nothing.
    “God, I’ve missed you, babe!” He held her against him for a moment longer than she wanted, and she realized that despite the year she had put between them, there was still something there. At least for him. “Come on, let’s rush. I’ve got us a table at Le Choux and we have so much to catch up on.”
     
     

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Lunch flew by and Eden found herself actually enjoying it. She had a niggling guilt that all the pushing away she had done to Joachim was perhaps unnecessary. He reminded her of so much that she used to like about her old life—fun, carefree, and with little to worry about. Joachim’s laid-back surfer look matched his personality. He was relaxed and charming even at the worst of times. He hated confrontation and, as such, people were drawn to him, just as Eden had been.
    They had been joined at the hip growing up, both only children, and they inevitably spent huge amounts of time together because of their parents’ close friendship. No one had been surprised when they had started dating in high school. It had seemed like the most natural thing in the world at the time. Eden remembered their first kiss. Joachim had been tender and sweet, aware of the two-year age difference, which now seemed negligible, but in high school, it had felt like decades. Joachim had been overly concerned that she would feel pressured or taken advantage of. Eden hadn’t felt either of those things. She’d heard so many horror stories from her girlfriends about awkward first kisses, too much saliva, bitten lips, clashing teeth. She was almost giddy when Joachim’s lips had pressed against hers, his tongue barely flicking into her mouth to taste her.
    And that was what the rest of their physical relationship had consisted of—Joachim trying to take things to the next level, but always making sure Eden was comfortable. It was all very…polite. Controlled. Managed. Just like the rest of Eden’s life.
    Much to Eden’s pleasure, the lunch conversation hardly touched on their old life. Joachim knew why she had left for Edinburgh and he clearly understood that returning back to New England was not necessarily easy for her. They kept the subject mostly neutral. She asked about his work and if he liked the city . She didn’t have to ask if he had managed to find a social circle of friends. Joachim’s warm character had made him one of the most popular boys in high school and college. She knew his social circle included many of her former friends, but he steered away from mentioning them as he spoke about how much fun he was having in New