Page 115 of Betrayed

A few minutes after walking away and talking to Beth, Mary announced, “Food is upstairs in the conference room.” She laughed as everyone stampeded up the stairs.

Blake didn’t move, so neither did I.

“You should eat,” I whispered. I didn’t think she’d eaten anything today.

“I’m not sure I can,” she said.

“Want me to bring something down so you can try?”

She glanced at the second floor landing. The noise from the room drifted towards us.

“Maybe in a few minutes.”

I couldn’t blame her; it’d be a madhouse until everyone settled down to eat.

We’d just stood up when Jack and Meg came down carrying two plates each.

“We thought we’d save you from the circus,” Jack said as he handed me a heaping plate.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got you a little of everything,” Meg said, handing a plate to Blake. Unlike mine, which was mostly meat and potatoes, hers had salad and vegetables too.

Gratitude filled my heart, as mashed potatoes and pot roast filled my stomach.

When Blake said my potatoes were better, I fell a little deeper in love.

Chapter 53

Blake

When Meg handed me a plate, my emotions got the better of me. I thanked her and sat back down, staring at the plate in my lap as tears blurred my vision before spilling down my cheeks.

It wasn’t just Meg’s generosity. It was everything. Mary’s kindness. The stress of the day. AJ’s gentleness. My father’s guilt.

Losing my life as I knew it.

What am I going to do now?

AJ’s hand on my back brought me back. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

“No need to apologize. You’ve been through hell today,” Jack said.

“We’ll leave you alone,” Meg said, standing up.

“No, it’s okay.” I wanted them to stay, hoping the company would keep my mind off my father while we ate.Maybe the company will keep me out of my head for a few minutes.

I didn’t think I was hungry until I took my first bite. I wasn't just hungry, I was ravenous.

We enjoyed our food in silence for a few minutes, too hungry to talk.

When I finished my meat and started pushing the salad around, AJ offered me some of his. When I hesitated, he held his plate over mine and pushed more meat onto it.

“Thanks.” I blushed.

“Anytime, I’m just glad you’re not a vegetarian.” AJ laughed.

“Me too.”It feels good to laugh.

When the guys got up to throw our plates away, I took advantage of the time alone with Meg to apologize.

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