#munnyqb

"You left them at dad's?" You swallow back a huff of irritation, eyes pinching closed.

You and Eddie weren't exactly on speaking terms at the moment. After a few weeks of bliss, of you nearly caving and letting him move back in, agreeing to work it out in therapy and give it another shot, he'd done what he always had- pissed you off. A bickering that turned into a fight, that led you both back to your separate spaces. Over what? You weren't exactly sure you even remembered.

It had been four days exactly that you had managed to avoid Eddie. Not speaking at the exchanging of the kids, you'd flat out ignored his greeting to you, and now, because of a stupid pair of tap shoes, you'd have to give in and speak to him.

"Hello?" He picked up on the third ring.

"Hey, it's me." You quipped, lips rolling around your snippy tone. "Lucy said she left her tap shoes at your house."

"Yeah, she did." Eddie's tone was just as biting, matching your lack of amusement.

You huffed. "Well, she needs them. She has dance in thirty minutes."

"So come get them?" Eddie scoffed.

"Nice. Sure, Ed, I'll just go out of my way to come get them because you couldn't remember to pack them. Way to go." You snapped sarcastically, venom dripping in your tone. You hoped he could feel your glare.

"Oh? This is my- of course, it's my fuckin' fault."

"It is your fuck-" You turned, looking to make sure Lucy was still in front of the television eating her snack. "It is your fuckin' fault, you ass. You want to act like you're dad of the year, and you don't even know her dance schedule?"

"I'm not doin' this with you, alright? I'm gonna hang up if you're just going to be a bitch." Eddie snapped. You could picture him, that tone too familiar. His jaw clenched tight, nostrils flaring the way they did when he was pissed. Maybe his fists clenched, forearm veins popping out.

"Just- Can you just bring them to the dance studio by four please?" You rolled your eyes. "I'm already running late. I have to get gas and get Lucy dressed."

"Fine." Eddie snapped. You didn't get a chance to reply, the other line ending with a harsh click.

Twenty-six minutes later, you were pulling into the dance studio. Between a three year old who refused to get dressed, waiting for pumps, and the unusual traffic in Hawkins, your nerves were shot and you were cutting it close. You were glad Jude was at a sleepover at the Harrington's for the night.

Eddie was there when you pulled in, standing outside his car, smoking a cigarette. You grit your teeth at the sight of him, lips wrapped around the stick, blowing smoke. You hated how your stomach flipped with excitement.

"Do you have them?" You stepped out of the car, moving to the backseat, barely glancing over at him.

"Hello to you too, Sunshine." Eddie huffed sarcastically, flicking his cigarette to the ground and stepping on it.

You rolled your eyes, trying to soften your face when you opened the back car door to get Lucy out. "Daddy brought your shoes, so let's put them on so you'll be ready to go." You cooed gently, unstrapping her out, hoisting her on your hip.

"Eddie, can you hurry-" You stopped when he emerged, little tiny tap shoes hooked on his pinky, Lucy's pink dance bag slung over his shoulder.

"I got it, Mama." Eddie's tone was light but more of a snarl. You didn't respond, eyes rolling down his frame instead.

Your tongue rolled over your bottom lip, watching him put her little shoes on, fastening the tiny buckles. You lingered behind them when he walked her in, her little hand in his, the pink bag slung over his shoulder. You hated how weak in the knees it made you, seeing him be a dad- be a good dad. And dammit, he might have been a shit husband at times, but he was a good dad.

"Thank you." Your arms stayed folded over your chest but your tone was lighter when he came back out from dropping Lucy off. "That really saved me a lot of time."

"Don't mention it." Eddie's tone was still tight, nerves rattled with built up tension from the past days.

He started towards his car, you followed close behind him. "What are you doing now?"

Eddie turned at your tone, carefully. "What?"

You huffed, eyes rolling big and dramatic. "What are you doing now?" You repeated.

"Nothing." Eddie was cautious, unsure- even if he was sure, he was always a little unsure with you these days.

"Well, I mean, do you want to wait with me? Then maybe we can go get dinner. Me, you, and Luce? It's just us girls tonight." Your eyes rolled over his frame, his tight band tee.

Eddie squinted lightly. "Yeah? Sure. That'd be nice."

"Good." You hummed, opening the back seat. "Could you help me out? I can't get this back seat to lay down again. I think it might be stuck." It was not nearly as smooth as you wanted it to be, you never really were, but Eddie didn't mind. He swallowed back his smirk, scanning the parking lot. Good thing he'd picked the back spot, away from everyone.

He had you pinned against the seats, rutting into you mercilessly while you clawed at him, hands tangling in his hair pulling him closer and close. It was quick then, fulfilling but quick. You both had a giddy glow when you picked up Lucy, hoping the other parents wouldn't notice your tousled hair.

Eddie groaned beneath you, his head tipping back onto the cushioned back of the couch, eyes screwed shut, lips vibrating with the moan he tried to swallow. He looked so pretty, you decided, a hand caressing his cheek for a moment before your lips were back on his.

A bottle and a half of chardonnay, the excitement of spring break and being off for the week, and Cross My Heart playing on the screen; you'd blame that triple threat as the reason you both were here. Stripped down to just your underwear, hips rocking against his.

"Please," Eddie gasped, a straggled breath caught in his throat, fingertips sinking into the flesh of your hips. "Sweetheart, you- I'm gonna bust if you keep do-doing that."

Your toothy grin had his stomach lurching with a rush of excited heat, eyes widening in excitement, maybe fear. You had a tendency to get a little bold when you'd had a drink or two, not that Eddie minded. Oh no, it was quite the opposite, it's the exact reason why his body was fidgeting under yours, hips wiggling for friction.

"Mmm," You let out a soft moan, your hands squeezing around his shoulders, head tipping back. Your own hips swiveled, rocking gently. You could feel the wet patch already forming at the front of your cotton panties.

"Baby, you- you gotta stop." Eddie's voice cracked, embarrassingly high pitched in a way he hadn't heard since middle school.

"I don't wanna stop." You purred, hips moving agonizingly slow, your clothed clit rocking against his tented boxers. "I like how this feels."

"Fuck," Eddie whispered, the combination of your words and the way he could feel your wetness starting to seep through your underwear to his, had his hands beginning to shake with blinding pleasure.

"Don't you like how this feels?" You hummed, so sweetly it had Eddie blushing. "Doesn't it feel good?"

"Jesus- Yeah, it feels really fuckin' good, baby." Eddie nodded, eyes rounded and wide when they met yours, only for a moment, before his gaze shifted to your boobs, nearly inches from him.

His hands slid up your body, slowly, leaving you shivering, a small whine leaving your lips, grinding harder and harder when Eddie's thumbs slid over your nipples.

Eddie's hands lingered there for a moment, before his face was buried between them, kissing your left boob, lips wrapped around your nipple.

His hands slid back down your body, over your ribcage, the swell of your hips, anchoring on your ass. Squeezing handfuls of each of your cheeks between his calloused hands, your thighs were beginning to shake at the sensation, rocking harder and harder.

"Eddie, that feels so, sooo good." You whimpered, his face pressing further into your chest, tongue swirling around your nipple.

A gasp tore from your throat, eyes opening with a start at the sudden shift. Eddie's hands still held your ass, pressing you further and further into him, his own hips meeting yours with a furiously needy rhythm.

"E-Ed," You gasped, your orgasm creeping closer and closer, Eddie's hands pressing you further and further into him. So close you thought you might fuse together.

Eddie's body moved with yours, a symphony of both your breathy moans and gasps mixing with the squeak and groan of the couch springs, until you finished, a flood of wetness that soaked and darkened the front of your panties. Eddie's followed shortly after, a sticky, whiny mess of an orgasm, his face still buried between your breasts.

He pulled you on top of him, your warm cheek pressed against his chest, both your eyes shining from the wine and your own releases. "I don't think I've dry humped someone since freshman year of high school." Eddie admitted, mind still swimming, slowly reeling. "I forgot how good it feels."

You giggled, turning to him, chin pressed to his chest. "It did feel pretty good, didn't it?"

"Felt more than pretty good." Eddie muttered.

"More than pretty good, hm? So you liked it?" There it was again- that sneaky, wide smile that had Eddie's heart lurching. Eddie nodded, his hand smoothing down your back gently.

"Yeah? You liked it when I did this?" Your grin widened, pressing your hips into his, your wet underwear pressing together.

"Yes." Eddie jumped at the sensation, a smile tugging on your lips when you giggled, silly and love sick, his arms wrapping around you.

"Open the dooooorrrrrr!" You whined, half swaying, leaning against the brick. "I need to pee, Ed, hurry."

Eddie fought back a smirk, twisting the lock and opening the front door. "Hey, bunny,"

"Hi," Your face melted, oozing with a drunk smile, eyes glassy from the countess beers you'd had. "Can I come pee?"

"Of course you can." Eddie said around a laugh, holding the door open with his foot, offering his hand to you. "Watch your step, baby." He muttered, nodding towards the step under the doorframe. You crossed it dramatically, taking a big, wide legged step in.

"I didn't know you were coming over." Eddie shut the door, watching you stumble down the hall towards the guest bathroom. "I thought you were out with your friends."

"I was," You muttered, behind the cracked door of the bathroom, the room already beginning to spin as you sat. "But I wanted to come see you. I knew Brielle was gone."

"Yeah? What'd you want to come see me for?" Eddie grinned teasingly, walking down the hall towards you.

"I wanted to sleep over." You admitted, staggering against the doorway, holding the frame for balance. "I wanted you to rub my back."

Eddie barked out a laugh, your bottom lip jutting in a pout. "Rub your back?"

"Yes, Ed." You whined. "You always do it good an-and it- hic!- it always puts me right to sleep." Your words were beginning to jumble, the effects of too much alcohol starting to take over.

"Alright. I can do that for ya, I suppose." Eddie sighed dramatically, holding his arm out for you, placing an anchoring hand on your back as he guided you to his bedroom.

"Lemme get you a shirt to sleep in. I've got-" He turned around, finding you already naked. That had to be a record, he was convinced. Drunk and that coordinated?

You were already crawling into the bed, shoes and clothes kicked off, climbing under the cool sheets that smelled just like Eddie.

"Hold on, bunny, you want a shirt?" Eddie grabbed the sheet before you pulled it up, earning a huffy whine from you.

"No," You whined. "Want you to rub my back, Ed, already told you."

Eddie fought back a grin. "Demanding little thing, aren't ya?" He shook his head playfully. You didn't reply, your cheek smushed to the pillow, already beginning to drift off.

Eddie slipped beside you anyways, snorting lightly when you rolled over on him, leg hiked up over his waist, arm slapped over his chest, face in his shoulder. Still, he rubbed your back, calloused hands gliding over the bare skin, up and down your spine in small circles, the way you liked until you were snoring lightly.

Eddie let his arms fall, but kept one hand on your jean shorts, fingers curling around the loops, fingertips brushing the exposed skin on your back. His eyes didn't meet yours, narrowed in a glare across the room, jaw set tight looking at her- Avery.

Eddie knew of Avery- sort of.

He knew you'd been in a casual relationship before him, that the two of you had been roommates, and broke it off on mutual terms; really, there was no need for him to not like her.

Except, for the fact that the two of you had dated. That she was your ex. And that when you saw her tonight, she gave you a hug that lasted a second too long, in Eddie's opinion. And that she had managed to make you laugh- your real laugh, that always teetered on a snarky snicker and always left Eddie dizzy. It left him reeling tonight, too, but in a much different way.

In a way that had his chest tightening, heart dropping with fear, hands clammy when they first reached out to grab at your hip- a territorial move, sure, but he wanted to make sure Avery knew.

"What's the matter with you?" You squinted, turning to Eddie. "You were the one who wanted to come, and now you're actin' like a fuckin' freak-"

"-I'm not-"

"- You absolutely are." You scoffed, eyes rolling over his frame. "You're being all weird. Did you take something?"

"No." Eddie's jaw clenched, sure his cheeks were beginning to burn red with embarrassment.

"So why are you being weird?" You snapped, lifting a brow at him. "And why are you touching me so much?" Your hand shoved his off of you, taking a wide step back, nearly hitting a couple behind you.

Eddie let out a short huff of air, shaking his head like he was the one who was annoyed- it had your eyes narrowing. "God fuckin' forbid I think you look hot, right? How dare I show you some appreciation?" He snapped sarcastically.

You didn't snarl or bitch, no snapping comment- instead, your eyes narrowed, looking at him so intensely it made him shift. His gaze shifted from yours, around the room, eyes landing on her for a moment too long.

He hoped you'd miss it. You didn't, of course.

A snap of your neck and you immediately knew where his gaze was lingering, where it had been all night. For a moment, you felt your own jealousy seep in out of instinct, until the realization came to you-

"You're- Are you serious?" Gawking at him in disbelief, your eyes widened, fighting back a grin.

"Fuck off, alright? Don't start-"

"-You're jealous?"

"So what if I am?" Eddie snapped, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "What? You gonna go talk to her some more now? Flirt right in front of me- torture me?"

Your lips pressed in a line, swallowing down a nasally mean and mocking laugh. Instead, your hands found his, hesitating for a moment before you placed them back on your hips. PDA wasn't your thing, especially not in a crowded, hot room, but the way Eddie was pouting, lip jutting and huffing with shifting eyes- how could you not indulge?

Fingers sliding over his sweaty curls, your pulled Eddie in by the base of his neck, body slotting to fit into his, lips on his for a very sloppy, very public smooch in the middle of the party. Eddie's hands roamed over your body, squeezing at the fat of your ass, pressing you further into him.

"I don't care what it is, honey. 'S long as they're healthy. That's all that matters t'me." Eddie said softly, his knee bouncing gently. It hadn't stopped bouncing since you got here, nearly an hour away from the farm you called home, to the nearest hospital in Hawkins.

You gave him a pointed look, eyes rolling dramatically. "You're no fun." You scoffed playfully. "I know you want a little girl."

Eddie's lips twitched in a grin he tried to hide. "I just want a healthy baby."

"You don't want a mini me of me?" You lifted a brow at him. "You already have two little yous, it's my turn."

"I hope it is." Eddie smiled, reaching his hand out for yours, squeezing it gently when your hand intertwined with his.

The doctor came in, greeting you both in the usual way. It was routine now after three babies- shirt rolled up, the excruciatingly cold gel applied, and the monitor attached. Eddie always felt sick, a rush of crippling fear he couldn't quite explain, until he heard the rapid thumping of the baby's heartbeat.

"Looks like baby is still growing on track. Heartbeat sounds good. Your vitals are great." The doctor drug the wand around, lower on your abdomen. "It looks like we can see the gender if you'd like."

"Yes." You blurted out, barely able to contain your excitement. You looked over at Eddie, eyes wide. "We want to know."

Eddie stood on shaky legs, walking beside you, his hand finding yours. It was like he knew what you needed, he always did. The doctor moved the wand, stopping for a moment, studying the screen.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Munson," She looked at the two of you with a wide smile. "It looks like you finally got your girl."

The gasp that tore from your chest startled both of you, your hand squeezing Eddie's in a vice before he could really comprehend what was said.

"Really?" Your voice squeaked, leaning forward to look at the screen. "A girl? It-She's a girl?"

"It's a girl." The doctor nodded, looking back at the screen. She captured the image, sending it to print. "Congratulations. I'll get that ultrasound for you, and I'll give you both a moment."

Eddie's ears were ringing, stunned in shock, in utter joy as the doctor left. "Eddie," You beamed, squeezing his hand, tugging it towards you. The smile on your face, features lit up in the most beautiful way, it made Eddie's heart soar.

"A girl." Your lip wobbled around your smile, emotions flooding over you. "It's actually a girl."

Eddie nodded, his head swimming and chest tightening with emotions. He'd said for weeks baby three would be a girl, but hearing that it really is- that the two of you had finally got your girl.

"Aren't you excited?" You whispered, voice wobbling gently. "Isn't this what you wanted too?"

Eddie swallowed the emotions thick in his throat, swiping at his nose to keep the tears in that threatened to fall. "Yeah," His voice cracked lightly. "I'm-I'm so fuckin' excited." He admitted, eyes shining when they met yours.

Your face crumbled, overwhelmed with emotions as you pulled him in, your forehead pressed to his, sharing soft kisses, your thumb swiping away the tears he tried to keep from falling.

Later that night, after Cooper and Crawford had gone to bed, Eddie crawled into bed beside you.

"I wanted to show you somethin'," Eddie muttered, holding a small bag in his hands. "I bought it at the beginning of the month."

Eddie knew you had to be exhausted, teaching all day and then dealing with parents. Cooking dinner was the least he could do, in his mind. He'd stopped by the grocery, got all the ingredients for your favorite pasta, a bottle of your favorite wine, he'd even picked up the living room, lit all the candles before he started cooking because he knows how you like them going when you're relaxing; because he knows you.

"Hi, baby," Eddie muttered over the sizzle of the chicken searing in the pan. "How was it?"

You let out a large exhale, dropping the bags by the doorway, kicking off your shoes next to them. "Not terrible but not great," You sighed. "Just very long."

"'M sorry." Eddie frowned lightly.

"'S alright," You shrugged, slinking through the small kitchen towards him, your arms wrapping around his waist. "Something smells good."

"Yeah? I'm tryin' something new with the seasoning on the chicken. I hope it's good-"

"-I was talking about you, but the chicken smells good, too." You grinned, nose pressing into the soft cotton of his shirt, pressing a gentle kiss against his skin.

Eddie stiffened in your grip, and you could feel him fluster. "Thanks, baby." He muttered. He wished his hair wasn't pulled back, so that he could hide behind the waterfall of curls to hide his blush.

"You look good too," You purred, hands sliding down his waist, pivoting to look at him fully. "I like your hair like that. I love it when you pull it back." Your finger brushed over a loose curl, tucking it behind his ear.

"Stop," Eddie let out a small, nervous laugh, lips tugging in a tight smile he tried to hide. "I'm 'sposed to be spoiling you tonight. Not the other way around."

"You always spoil me." You gave him a pointed look. "You're just so sweet. The absolute sweetest. Sweet, and sexy, and an amazing cook- how did I get so lucky?"

You couldn't help the grin that spread on your lips when he squirmed under your praise, blushing so boyishly it had your heart bursting.

"Uh, your wine is in the fridge." Eddie tried to change the subject, wiping his face with his arm, hoping you'd think the pinkness in his cheeks was from the heat of the stove. "It should be chilled by now."

You grinned back at him, pressing another kiss onto his cheek. "See? Perfect. You're just perfect." You swooned, squeezing his bicep affectionately. "I'm going to change, then I'll pour us a glass."

"Uh, wait," Eddie tapped the spoon, setting it on the rest before turning. "Your pajamas- the one with the fruits on them- they're in the laundry room if you're wanting them. I didn't get a chance to put them up yet, but they're in the basket."

Your favorite pajamas, clean along with the sheets, all for you- so you'd have a peaceful night.

A huffy eye roll was his only response, but the little twitch of your lips didn't go unnoticed to Eddie. "Are you just going to sit there? You're not even going to pretend to help me?" You snapped, letting the bags slide down your arms, delicately setting them on the floor.

Eddie cooed at you mockingly, but he still stood, walking over to the door where the other bags were, grabbing them all in one swoop.

"Christ, sweetheart, this is a lot." Eddie muttered, looking at the countless bags that scattered around you. You already had a closet- no, two, technically- filled with clothes, shoes, accessories, spilling out and into the guest rooms.

"It's not really," You pivoted, looking around. "It just looks like a lot, but the majority of it is coats, and sweaters, and boots- they're just big items."

Eddie's heart swelled with overwhelming adoration, reaching out, hands cupping your face, pulling you in for a sloppy, passionate kiss.

After the engagement, you and Eddie had decided to go look for lake houses on Lover's Lake. It still shocked Eddie how much you loved the simple life, how much you loved Hawkins. There was no fancy Michelin restaurants or extravagant night clubs; really, he thought you'd want to avoid it entirely.

Yet the second he suggested looking at houses, just mentioned the idea of having a place to stay, you'd went out and bought an entire wardrobe, bursting with excitement.

"'M just teasin' you, baby. You know I don't mind." Eddie muttered, thumbs brushing over the apples of your cheeks. "'M just shocked you were able to find this much here. Thought we'd have to go back to New York again."

"I was too, but I think everyone's going to Alta again- it's the new thing." You rolled your eyes lightly. "But it works for me because I got the cutest things."

"Yeah?" Eddie's hands slid down your waist, grinning at how you squirmed. "Why don't you show me, baby?"

"Oh yeah?" You giggled, brows lifting playfully at him. "You want a fashion show?"

"Absolutely." Eddie purred lightly, stepping over the bags, collapsing onto the couch. "Model 'em for me, baby. Show me what you got."

He'd never admit it, publicly, anyways, but it was weakness- seeing you in all your pretty things. Twisting and turning for him in all your new things- oh, it was his favorite form of foreplay.

Watching you strip down to your pretty matching bra and panty set, slipping on dress, jeans, shirts, shoes, then getting to see you model them. But his favorite, absolute favorite part-

"Ed," You hummed, an arm reached around your back, holding the dress together. "Can you zip me up? I can't reach it."

You'd always give him a little playful pout- he wasn't sure why. Like he had ever deprived you, deprived himself, of his favorite part. When he'd get to zip you up, zipper sliding purposefully slow up your frame, his fingertips ghosting over your skin just to feel your shiver. Always giving you a soft pat on your ass, a kiss on your shoulder before his chin pressed to the crook of your neck, looking at you through the mirror.

"I thought this was so cute for the fall. Maybe Thanksgiving? Or if we go out with your friends again." You tilted your head, hands smoothing over the fabric.

Eddie fought back a snort. He wouldn't dare tell you that a Prada dress might be a little too dressed up for his friends from home.

"Looks beautiful, baby. You look beautiful." Eddie grinned, nose brushing over your cheek, lips pressing to the soft skin there.

Your lips twisted in a blushing grin you tried to hide, chin ducking and smoothing out the dress. "Unzip me." You pushed him off lightly with a giggle, his hands a little too grabby on your hips.

"You better calm down, Munson." You looked at him through the mirror, tugging the straps off your shoulders. Eddie's gaze dropped from your eyes to your chest in the mirror, making you giggle.

"I still have a lot of clothes to try on." You lifted a brow at him.

"Can't wait to see 'em all." Eddie's tongue ran over his bottom lip, stepping back to look at your ass in your lacy, high cut panties.

"You buy any more sets like this?" His finger hooked under the tiny band, pulling it and releasing so it snapped against your skin gently.

The squeal you gave had him grinning, hands already reaching to grab you, but you pivoted, reaching for another bag. "Maybe," You hummed, lashes batting over your shoulder at him. "Guess you'll have to be patient and see."

Eddie's lips pressed together in a grin, eyes wild and dark, filled with dangerous excitement that always had your tummy flipping with rushing heat. "Sit down." You nodded towards the couch. "Let me show you my next one. I think you'll like it."

Eddie sat, perched on the edge of the cushion, legs spread, knee bouncing lightly as you rummaged through the bags. When you turned, Eddie barked out a laugh.

"I bought a sweater." You grinned proudly. A running joke between the two of you from much earlier in your relationship.

"You don't have a sweater? You have a fuckin' million clothes, and no sweater? Seriously?"

"I live in Beverly Hills, Ed. Why would I need a sweater?"

There in your hands, with the Ralph Lauren tags still attached, a true thick knit, cream sweater that you held proudly. "A real sweater." You giggled.

"Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about, baby. That's a real sweater." Eddie grinned around a laugh. "Lemme see it on you. Put it on for me."

"-I got it, Ed." You smiled, hand wrapped around the empty martini glass. "You're talking. I'll be right back." Your hand squeezed his shoulder in reassurance, stepping away from the large table towards the bar.

Rick's annual poker party, a rewarding get together for all his 'friends', and an excuse to gamble and drink themselves silly. It was also an excuse to get dressed up, hang on Eddie's arm while he paraded you around in the newest Versace dress, straight off the runway.

"Can I have another martini? Dirty, please." You slid your empty glass over to the bartender with a smile.

"I like your dress." A voice from beside you pulled your attention. You were pleasantly surprised to see another girl, one your age.

"Thank you." You smiled back, hands smoothing down the black fabric. "I like your shoes. Those are so cute."

"Thanks," The girl giggled. "My boyfriend bought them for me. An apology gift for missing my birthday last week. He was with some of the guys in Miami."

You sucked in a breath, grimacing. "Yikes. I've been there. One of the biggest fights me and my boyfriend got into was because he kept missing dates, and not calling."

"Yes!" The girl gaped, her manicured hand slapping the bar lightly. "They never call."

"Never."

"And then they act like you're not supposed to be upset?"

"Oh my god, yes." You groaned in agreement. "And then they show up and wonder why you're pissed. Like they didn't just stand you up."

The girl beside you laughed in agreement. "Yeah, well, at least that's when the good part comes." She looked at you over her wine glass, a brow lifted. "That's when the gifts come."

You gave a nervous laugh, shifting uncomfortably. You knew there were girls like her, who used the men in Eddie's line of work for the benefits- for the money.

"I'm Goldie, by the way." Her bangles rattled when she stuck her hand out for you to take, you repeating your own name with a gentle shake of her hand.

"Are you new here? Or new to this?" Goldie asked, nodding towards the blackjack table of men behind you.

"Sorta. More new to getting to come to these things." You giggled softly. "My boyfriend doesn't always come. I usually have to persuade him."

"I wish." Goldie snorted lightly. "My boyfriend would come to every single event they had if I let him." She pursed her lips, setting down her glass.

"And see that's the other thing- they can always come to these things, but not dinner with my parents?"

"Oh, yeah," You laughed lightly. "That's like pulling teeth. He acts like I'm holding him at gunpoint of something when I ask him to come home with me for the holidays."

Eddie's eyes wandered back over to you from his place at the table, a fluttering glance that turned into a quick headed turn. His heart dropped, trying to keep his expression neutral as he looked at the girl beside you- Goldie.

Goldie liked to hang around guys like Eddie. Always at the right places at the right times, and always ready to get a hotel room with them. And Eddie had done that with her, a time or two actually, before he met you.

He tried to play it cool, swallow back his beating heart when you started towards him, martini in hand, a smile on your face, and Goldie trailing behind you.

"Ed," You called, so sweetly, it made him feel a little sick. Maybe she hadn't told you?

"Ed, I wanted you to meet Goldie. I met her at the bar." You giggled, clearly a little tipsy, getting silly the way you always did when you drank.

"Goldie, this is my boyfriend. This is-"

"-Eddie." Goldie clicked her tongue playfully, her tone raising in octave. "It's so good to see you again."

You faltered, looking from her back to Eddie, face falling in confusion. How did she know him? Maybe through her boyfriend? If so, then why does Eddie's face look like that?

"You two know each other?" You lifted a brow.

"Yes-"

"Not really-"

Eddie avoided her stare, refusing to look at her, his face stoic and cold. Goldie's had shifted into something that made your chest tighten with a familiar territorial rage. Her lashes batting towards him, hip jutted, and chest dipped low to show her slipping cleavage.

"Hm," You hummed, setting your drink down, your lips pursed. "Well, it was good talking to you." You smiled politely, purposefully taking a seat in Eddie's lap, your arms wrapped around his neck.

You didn't miss the way her face fell. "Hopefully I see you here next time." You flashed a dazzling smile, your hand sliding up Eddie's neck sweetly, pushing his curls back. "It's always good to have another girl friend here."

Goldie stammered out a response, excusing herself with her head hung.

Eddie was rigid under you, watching you carefully, studying your body language when you turned back to him. "Goldie, hm?" You lifted a brow. He knew better than to answer, still unsure.

"So how many girls have you fucked here?" You scoffed, eyes narrowing at him.

"I don't remember. I just know none of them matter." Eddie schmoozed, hoping your tipsy state would allow him a little grace until you were back home. "Because none of them were as good as you."

His lips pressed to your cheek, strong arms wrapping around you and pulling you in. You hummed in response, unamused, but still letting him kiss you.

"I'm sure." You deadpanned, eyes rolling to meet his.

"'M serious, sweetheart." Eddie whispered, lips vibrating against your cheek. Normally, he'd never show such affection in public, but he'd give in tonight, he knew you needed it and he needed to. "You're too good. Made me forget all of them. None of them compare to you. You know that. You're better in every single way."