Barron pulled into his reserved parking spot behind The Good Home and cut the engine. It was 7pm on a Friday night yet once again he was spending it going through paperwork in his office.

He didn't need to be there, he knew, but the silence in his home as he tried to work was deafening. A few of his friends had also invited him round for a drink and to watch a rerun of a football game, but he passed. He wasn't feeling it. Wasn't feeling much of anything lately.

So this is what he did most nights. Came into The Good Home where the dull sound of the bar and restaurant's atmosphere from his office soothed him enough to distract his thoughts from running too deep.

He snatched his phone up from the console before locking his vehicle and walking around towards the front entrance.

He had his own back access which led to the private rooms that were reserved for employees only and where his own private office was located. However, he liked to stroll through the main floor; scrutinizing the venue through a customer's eye to make sure that The Good Home was welcoming and grabbed your attention as soon as you walked in. First impressions were everything and Barron knew that when a patron walked into a bar or restaurant for the first time, they drew their conclusion quickly on whether they would stay. If the vibe was negative, they usually disregarded that establishment from any future visits.

There was an outdoor decking area in the front and he was pleased to note that all the tables were taken. Though, not surprising for a Summer Friday night.

As Barron walked up the wooden steps he shook hands with a few regulars and stopped to chat to a couple of people that had called out for him before continuing on through the open double doors.

He could see that most of the tables inside were also full with a few empty ones reserved for customers who had pre-booked. His staff were moving deftly around the restaurant, their hands full with drink and food orders. Luckily he had managed to procure enough staff to carry them comfortably through the busy season. They mainly consisted of highschool and college age students looking to make some extra money.

He approached the bar where Ian and Anthony were working behind, serving the waiting crowd as well as fulfilling table orders.

"Hey, man," Ian called out, holding his hand out for a fist bump. "You back here again?"

Barron grimaced as he watched the other man wipe down the counter in front of him. "Yeah, just have a lot of work to do lately." He held his hands up. "Not checking up on you, I swear."

Ian laughed. "You would have to leave the office to do that," he told him. "You stay in there 'til almost closing."

"Alright, so I don't have a life," he joked.

Barron jumped as a loud noise drew his attention. Tracey had stomped behind the bar and had dropped an empty tray, a little roughly in his opinion, on the tray stack.

She turned cold blue eyes at him and if looks could kill he would be eviscerated by now. Ian took a step back behind her and cocked his brow at him in silent communication. Barron discreetly shook his head. The less said out loud the better, given Tracey's attitude over the past few weeks.

The scene was silent and tense as Tracey snatched up a clean glass and held it on an angle under a beer tap. She regarded him coolly before turning off the tap, wiping down the sides of the glass and carrying it back out of the bar area towards a waiting table.

"Phew!" Ian blew his breath out in amusement. "What did you do to piss her off?" He asked.

"Nothing." He replied.

And that's the problem. Barron had done nothing.

He didn't blame her for being upset, she had every right to be. She had been chasing after him to warm her bed again for a long time and so, when he had approached her out of the blue with a proposition, she had been overjoyed. Throughout her shift that night she had flashed Barron with sultry stares, warm smiles full of promise and subtle caresses.

Sure, his enthusiasm had started to wane towards the end of the night but he still had every intention of following through and taking her to bed.

And then his sweet Eden called.

Tracey had turned up at his office at the end of her shift, eager to leave and reacquaint his body to hers again.

He couldn't do it.

Not after hearing Eden's voice for the first time in years and being bombarded with a deluge of memories and emotions. Barron knew that he had asked Tracey for sex to take his mind of the fact that Eden had arrived into New Haven that day.

But after talking, or rather, listening to Eden on his phone he knew that Tracey would have been a poor substitute to who he had really wanted. He respected Tracey enough not to take her to bed, knowing that he would be thinking of his ex and wishing that she was with him instead.

Barron also had respect for himself, not to give his body away just because he was worried that he was giving mixed signals and wanting to avoid hurting Tracey's feelings.

But mainly, he had respect for Eden. Too late, he knew, but Eden deserved someone who had their head screwed on straight. Who wouldn't use another woman as a stand-in. If he was to get back into her orbit again - anyway she'd take him - he had to get his shit together. The call had been the bucket of ice water he needed in order to go after what he wanted. What he needed. What had been like a missing limb to him for almost seven years.

So he had gently turned Tracey down. He was honest with her. Had told her that he was going through a tough time and needed release but that knew he was going about it the wrong way. Told her that she deserved to share her body with someone who wanted her.

That had been the wrong thing to say. She had been outraged and accused him of leading her on and being a tease. Well, he could hardly deny that. She also called him a few choice names which he thought were uncalled for but he knew better than to interrupt a woman who was on a tirade after being rejected. Barron's mind had flashed back to another blonde woman who had once upon a time been a poor substitute for Eden.

"Didn't look like nothin'," Ian observed as he quickly rinsed out dirty glasses and stacked them. "But I'd stay out of her warpath if I were you," he advised.

"Don't have to tell me twice." He said, slapping his hand on the bar before striding through the restaurant area towards the hallway which led to the bathrooms and further down to the private rooms reserved for staff.

He surveyed his surroundings, noting that the music was loud but comfortable to hear and speak over. There was a light air conditioning circulating to welcome people out from the warm evening air but it wasn't too cold that you would need another layer on. There were also sports games showing on the various television monitors scattered around the floor. They were all on mute as they weren't a sports bar. There were two other bars in the area that catered to that crowd so the market in New Haven was cornered there.

No, he wanted to focus more on a social atmosphere - somewhere you could come for a meal with family, children and friends no matter the age. It was still early in the evening so a few families were out for dinner but he knew come 9pm, a different crowd would converge. One looking for a drink, some good live music and entertaining company.

"Barron." He was so focused on observing the ambience of his business that he had almost walked straight past Simon who was currently taking up one of the tables.

His stomach dropped as he saw the company he was with.

Speaking of blondes who couldn't take rejection well....

Simon stood and so Barron gave his cousin a brief side hug. He felt a jolt of familiar fondness for the other man.

After the fall out with Eden, he hadn't been as close to his cousin as he used to be. He knew it wasn't Simon's fault. Yes, he had been in his ear all those years ago to forfeit his friends for Brad and his crew. He also pushed Lissa onto him when Simon had been hooking up with Maria Smith, asking him to be his wingman and double date with him. All of those were excuses he had used at the time to justify why he had cheated on Eden. At the end of the day, he was his own person who had let himself be swayed. He had no one to blame but himself.

But alongside losing the love of his life, he also lost that bond and admiration that he had had for Simon. He only saw him during holiday periods or at family events now, although they were always friendly with each other. As they grew older, however, he realized that they were two different people that had very little left in common.

"Hey, Si." he greeted, hoping to avoid talking to the rest of his table. "Mom told me that you were in town again. Sorry, just been too busy with work to catch up."

"No problem." His cousin sat back down with a smooth smile, his arm curling around Maria. "I came in for Maria's birthday party." he gestured towards the brunette cuddled up to his side. "But decided to stay on for an extra few days."

Barron nodded at her. "Happy birthday. Sorry I couldn't make the party." He had no plans that night but had zero intention of attending Maria's birthday bash. He barely knew her anyhow except for those few months he had hung out with Lissa and Brad's crew senior year.

Maria murmured her thanks before sneaking a covert glance at the woman across the table from her.

"Lissa." He finally acknowledged the other woman who was unusually quiet. "How are you?"

Lissa smiled before standing on what looked like ankle breaking high heels. She had on a tight red dress that was low cut and ended a long way above the knee. Definitely too dressy for a Friday night at The Good Home.

"Barron," she cooed as she leaned up to him for a hug, planting a wet kiss on his cheek and making his nose tickle with the overpowering scent of her perfume. She was still a beautiful girl but the only feelings he felt for her whenever they crossed paths were bitterness and regret.

And guilt. So much guilt.

She also had the dubious honor of being the first girl he had used in a poor attempt to get over Eden. His worst mistake.

Lissa stood back and regarded him after her overly energetic greeting. He discreetly stepped back before flashing her with a cursory smile. He never knew what version of Lissa he would get whenever they saw each other. She seemed to flit between seductress or woman scorned. She was still miffed over how things had ended between them all those years ago. Her pride had been shattered when she had discovered just how deep his obsession still was for his ex.

Yet, there were some days when she would blatantly proposition him; cornering Barron at work and offering him a blowjob "for old times sake." He always turned her down causing her to storm off in a fury before the silent sulking and disdain would start up again.

By the looks of her tonight, though, he knew exactly which version of Lissa he would be getting.

She walked red tipped nails up his chest as she flashed him an inviting smile. "I've been good, handsome. I haven't been seeing you around lately," she pouted up at him.

"Uh, yeah," he made a show of checking his phone. Two new messages but none from who he wanted.

"Sorry, can't stay and chat." He waved his phone at her. "Duty calls."

He glanced around her at his cousin who was watching him with a small, if not guilty smile. He knew that Lissa had beguiled him into joining his date tonight with Maria. Looks like Lissa got the result she was after.

"Next round's on me, Si." He told him quietly. "I'll let Ian know."

Before his cousin could respond, Lissa launched herself into his arms again. "Thank you, darling. You always treat me so good."

He grimaced as she again tried to sloppily kiss him, wrenching his head back and detaching himself from her embrace.

"You're welcome. Enjoy your night." He quickly turned on his heel before he was once again attacked by her.

He closed the door to his office softly, sighing as the music and chatter died down to a dull hum. He threw his keys and phone on his desk before sitting and swiveling around, hands at the back of his head.

It had been two weeks since he had cornered Eden after her class. Two long weeks of constantly checking his phone and searching for her presence whenever he was out around town.

Sure, he had promised Eden that he wouldn't ambush her again and wait it out, but that didn't mean he couldn't say hi or give her a wave if he was out. He wasn't expecting her to call or text him straightaway per se, or at all really; but hot damn, he was expecting to at least see her around town.

One look at Eden at his parent's barbeque was not enough for him. He was no longer California sober and he didn't give a shit anymore. She was the hit he needed after depriving himself and he had no intention of getting clean.

He closed his eyes, bringing up the image of Eden in his mind. Over the years he had watched her from a distance whenever she came back to New Haven. The day of the barbeque was the closest he had been to her since they were teens.

She was even more beautiful up close.

The red dress she had been wearing that day had been like a beacon to him, causing him to hone in on her no matter where she was in the house. His eyes had greedily taken in her bare shoulders and long legs. Legs he would love to feel wrapped around his waist again. Shoulders he would love to cuddle at night.

Would that ever happen again? It was such a pipe dream at the moment. She was still so angry at him, that was clear. But underneath all that anger, he could feel their chemistry burning; like it always had as kids and as teens. But now, as adults, it seemed to smolder with an acute sexuality that had intensified over the years.

Surely she felt it, too?

With a frustrated breath, he ran fingers through his hair. Maybe he should break his promise and just call her?

A knock at the door brought him out of his musings and he called out to whoever it was. His staff were usually self sufficient and reported to Ian but every so often, if Ian was on a break, they would interrupt to discuss something they deemed too important to decide for themselves.

He just hoped it wasn't Tracey.

"Is this where you hide?" A sultry voice sounded out.

He blew his breath out in annoyance. He would've preferred Tracey.

"Lissa. What are you doing back here? It's for staff only." he firmly said.

She pouted as she stepped, uninvited he might add, into his small office space. "I thought you would make an exception for friends."

He shook his head at her act. "We aren't friends, Lissa."

"That's right," a determined glint shimmered in her eyes as she crowded his space. He slowly used his feet to push his chair back a few inches. "We were a lot more than friends." she emphasized.

"We haven't been that in a long time, either." he corrected.

"But we can be again." She inched her dress up higher on her thighs until it reached the apex of her privates.

"Whoa!" He immediately stood and put his chair in front of him as a barrier. She had pulled her dress up further and he caught a glimpse of her bare pussy. "Lissa, you need to leave."

"Aw," she stood there, her naked bottom half still exposed as she raked hungry eyes down his body.

"Are you trying to cover up your hard cock? Don't be shy." She attempted to move closer to him but stopped when he shoved his chair out in front of him, blocking any further attempts.

"No, I'm trying to stop you from embarrassing yourself. Get out, Lissa, before I call security." He was hoping it wouldn't get that far.

Her face flushed red in anger as she yanked the front of her dress down hapazadley, not caring that it was still exposing a great expanse of thigh.

"Fuck you, Barron," she hissed before turning on her high heels and storming off.

He wanted to call her back to let her know that half her ass cheek was still showing but he didn't want to prolong their interaction any longer than necessary.

"Jesus," he muttered to himself. His phone went off as he sat back down.

Simon: Eden's here

Eden draped her arm around Ryan's shoulders as they followed behind Sofia through the open double doors into The Good Home. Immediately she was hit with a pleasant blast of air conditioning and the tantalizing scent of garlic bread. She swept critical eyes over the space and noted that it had a warm and inviting atmosphere to it. She clearly wasn't the only person who thought so given how packed the place was.

The venue wasn't small, but it had the feel of an intimate and cozy gastropub. The kind of watering holes that she loved to frequent whenever she was in the UK or Ireland.

She wasn't a clubbing girl. She had gotten that out of her system the year she was desperately trying to forget Barron.

No, what she loved was a nice, intimate Irish or British pub. The kind where the tables were a little sticky, the beer mats were withered and there was a singular person with just a guitar at the front providing live music. The walls were usually littered with memorabilia of times gone by and you could order your regular drink with just a nod at the bartender.

She felt a little proud for Barron and his father at seeing their success. She had heard amazing things about The Good Home but had always avoided it for obvious reasons.

However, she was getting a little tired being holed up at her Mom's place so she had called Sofia up and bravely asked her to take her here. She was a little apprehensive at first when they arrived, in case Barron was here, but Sofia had assured her that he rarely visited and if he did he was usually in his office and not on the main floor.

Yes, she had been avoiding him since his stunning speech at the school two weeks ago. She had told Sofia and Ryan about it, both giving her mixed reactions. Sofia had rolled her eyes and called him desperate. Ryan had just listened and asked her what she wanted to do.

What did she want to do?

He had apologized, yes, but did she want to give him a floor for further intense conversation? Was there anything more to say? Did she really want to unpick old wounds again, because that was essentially what was going to happen if she entertained further talks between them.

"It looks full," she observed as she cast her eyes for a spare table. A few people had turned to stare at her but she was relieved to see that the majority of customers ignored their group.

"It's okay, I booked ahead."

Sofia led them towards a group of tables which had place cards on top, identifying them as reserved.

"I think we're here," she pointed at a spare table but before they could seat themselves, a familiar voice called out to them.

"You got to be fucking kidding me." Sofia growled out as Simon waved them over, an earnest smile on his face.

She spotted a familiar girl next to him and noted that it was Maria Smith.

Her body tensed as she was instantly hit with a sense of deja vu, from a time long ago when she had last seen Simon and Maria together.

Cuddling by Barron's pool while her boyfriend had his tongue down Lissa's throat.

Despite her discomfort, Eden murmured "Be nice."

Sofia scoffed as she pasted on a pleasant yet strained smile while walking towards their table.