Bless the Broken Road that Lead Me Straight to You

Chapter 26

"Did he do this to you?" Ben kept his voice low, in an attempt to avoid attracting the attention of the other diners, but it was contemptuous and angry nonetheless. He turned his gaze to Jay, sending daggers in his direction. "Did you do this to her?"

Jay couldn't help but scoff at Ben's sudden outburst. If you care this much about Erin, maybe you shouldn't have screwed her best friend. Jay stared right back. And let's be honest, he thought as he took in Ben's appearance, I could snap you like a twig. Ben was attractive, in a conventional Ralph Lauren model kind of way. He didn't seem like Erin's type at all. No wonder she hadn't been that upset about their breakup.

Losing Olivia, though, Jay could tell right away, was worth getting upset over. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears and her voice was softer. In place of the anger that resonated with Ben, Olivia's voice was full of genuine concern. "Did he? Did he hurt you?"

She held Erin's gaze, knowing she would be able to read the expression of her best friend of over five years. "Please tell me what happened?" I miss you, she wanted to add. But she didn't. Because she was the one who ruined their relationship, and it wouldn't be fair to lay the guilt on Erin.

"No," Erin shook her head, "No, it happened at work." After a few more moments of intense eye contact, the type that went straight through her eyes into her soul, Erin watched Olivia relax. Olivia nodded, and Erin knew she believed her.

Ben seemed to back off a little, now that he decided Jay wasn't a threat to Erin. Jay rolled his eyes. Piece of shit, he thought. What abused woman would admit to it, in front of the abuser, in the middle of a crowded restaurant. Come on.

Just as Jay suspected she would, Olivia refused to retreat. "Are you really okay?" She asked, trying to prolong the conversation as much as possible. She really missed her friend.

"I'm fine," Erin found herself touched by Olivia's concern. "Really." She wasn't sure why she was so surprised. Olivia had been one of the best friends Erin had ever had. Of course she would have real concern over her well being.

Erin shifted her gaze to Ben, who was staring and sizing up Jay. She knew it was a little small of her, but she couldn't help but be glad she was with Jay and the girls the first time she saw Ben and Olivia out together. Jay was objectively sexy as hell, and the girls were beyond adorable. She loved showing off her family and otherwise, seeing them may have been hard to take.

"Olivia, Ben," she decided to finally get the introductions out of the way. "This is Jay Halstead."

"Nice to meet you both," Jay reached out and shook both of their hands politely, and as he moved the two girls hidden behind his legs finally came into view.

"Hi," Olivia smiled down at the two girls in greeting.

"Hi," Maddie said, her voice was clear but her hand still wrapped around her Daddy's leg.

"This is Maddie," Erin pointed to Maddie, and then gestured towards Grace. "And this is Grace. Girls, this is my friend Olivia and her boyfriend Ben." She was surprised how easy it was to introduce them this way. She had half expected to choke over the word boyfriend, but Ben just didn't hold much significance for her now. All of that drama felt like a lifetime ago.

Her discomfort lied in how much she missed Olivia. She felt such a strong pull to Olivia it was like a magnet was propelling her forward. She was desperate to confide in her, to tell her all about her new life.

"It's really nice to meet you both," Olivia said with a genuine smile. She always was the best with kids, Erin thought sadly. Olivia often accompanied her when she took a group of foster kids to dinner. She was extra pair of eyes, and the kids loved her.