Free [Invitation to Eden 15.0] Return to Sender by Steena Holmes

long fascination with Eden and we’ve often fantasized what it would be like here. She would love it. The calmness, how serene it is. Although...it might be too tame for her.” There was a faraway look in her gaze and for a moment he felt jealous of her relationship with her sisters. He wanted her focus to be on the here and now, on him.
    “Is it for you?” He wanted her to walk away from this with a heart full of memories, and hopefully, love. For him.
    “Too tame?” When he nodded, she shook her head. “Not at all. This is exactly what I always dreamed of. The quiet. Listening to the waves, knowing there was no schedule, no appointments, no clients I needed to take care of.”
    “You take care of a lot of people in your life, don’t you?”
    She nodded. “That’s my job. Bella Dia is...well, it’s my life. We all have a role in the company, my sisters and I, but mine is exactly that—taking care of things, of our clients. Ensuring their every need is met. Jessica finds all the amazing locations, Melanie takes care of the practicalities, and I...I take care of my clients.” Her shoulders slumped and she leaned back in her chair. For a moment, Marc caught the look of exhaustion on her face and he heard the words she didn’t say.
    “But who takes care of you?” He couldn’t help himself. He touched her hand and threaded his fingers through hers.
    “I don’t really need to be taken care of. I’m okay.”
    Marc just raised his brows. Even he heard the lackluster in her voice. She needed to be taken care of and he needed to be the one to do it. He felt it, deep inside.
    “Will you let me?” He hadn’t meant to ask her. Hadn’t meant to say the words out loud. But he did and now his world rested on her answer.
    “Don’t answer that.” He wasn’t sure he could handle knowing. Not yet. It was too early, too soon. There was more to be done, more that he needed to do, to show. There was something there between them, something that went beyond physical attraction, although he could see it in the way she subconsciously leaned towards him while they walked side by side, and even now, how she was angled towards him. He knew body language and he could read hers loud and clear.
    There was more between them, though. It was in the silence, the peace. He just needed her to realize it, to believe in it. To believe in him and what they have.
    He needed to prove to her that they had more than just a memory of love.
     

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    Would she let him? Her heart basically melted the moment he asked. She almost said yes before he stopped her.
    He stopped her. Why? Why would he do that? Was he unsure? Did he regret asking?
    All morning, all she’d wanted to do was lean into him and wrap her arms around his waist and feel him, his strength. She wanted to have the feel of his arms around her and to know it wasn’t all in her memory.
    And he’d stopped her. Maybe it was for the best.
    Last night, she’d gone to bed with a plan. She’d been pissed. Well, more than a little pissed. But once she calmed down and really thought about what he’d said...she couldn’t fault him for being scared six years ago. She did blame him for how he reacted—standing her up was not okay, but if he asked her to forgive him, she would. It was in the past.
    She’d realized last night that she had a choice. It was obvious he wanted a second chance, so the ball was in her court. She’d held on to the memory of them for so long...was she willing to give it up all because he made a mistake? Her pride said yes...that he wasn’t worth her heart, but her heart...her heart said differently.
    But today was a new day. A new chance. And she was going to do everything she could to give whatever they had between them that chance.
    She’d thought he wanted the same, except now it didn’t sound as if he was too sure.
    They ate their breakfast in silence. Every time she’d wanted to say something, she stopped herself.
    What could she