Page 11 of Saving You

“No.”

“So this was when Josh and Liv were totally in denial that they both liked each other. Josh offered Liv the spare room when she needed a place to crash. He let her host girls’ night one Saturday when he had poker. We woke up the next morning and Josh basically told us we had to stay for breakfast. He made all of Liv’s favourites. We then mentioned Liv’s summer checklist.”

A blush spreadsacross Liv’s cheeks as she hides her face in her orange juice.

“Best decision I ever made,” Josh says as he kisses the top of her head and places a plate of bacon on the table. “Han, can you wait until the table is fully set before you get into the bacon please.” He grins, and Hannah just sticks her tongue out at him before he returns to the kitchen.

Charlie carries a plate of toast, while Josh carries whipped cream and syrup between his arm and body, a plate of French toast in one hand and eggs in the other. They place everything on the table and it looks delicious.

“Josh, may I have some orange juice?” Charlie asks from her spot beside me.

“Of course.”

He heads into the kitchen, returning with a glass of orange juice. She says thank you before taking a big sip, licking her lips with ammmmmmhhhhh.

I put some food on her plate and load up mine.

Olivia rubs her hands together in excitement. “I’m so glad I can eat eggs again,” she says.

“Pregnancy aversions?” I ask.

“Yeah, the egg aversion was horrible. I would sometimes crave the taste, but the smell was off-putting. I craved pickles too. It was actually how we figured out I was pregnant.” She laughs.

Josh reaches across the table, taking his wife’s hand and rubbing his thumb over the back of it with a soft smile.

“What time’s the game tonight?” Zoey asks.

“Today’s an early one. We start at four,” Josh says.

“Game?” I ask.

“Josh and the guys play rec hockey. You and Charlie should totally come today. It will be fun. We can get hot chocolate, too,” Olivia says.

“I’ve never watched hockey,” Charlie says.

“Well, all the more reason you should come,” Hannah says with a mischievous smile. She shares a look with the girls, and I’m not sure if I should be worried.

“Can we go, Mommy? I wanna watch hockey and sit with Liv.”

All eyes are on me, and I know no matter what I say, these women and my daughter will wear me down.

“Okay, Baby Girl, we can go. But you have to eat all your breakfast and get ready for school tomorrow. You won’t have time after the game.”

“Yay!”

Conversation with everyone is easy. I learn that Zoey’s in law school, Hannah’s a nurse at Vancouver Memorial, Eliza’s an accountant, and Josh is the CEO of Lincoln Enterprises.

I help clean up the dishes before gathering Charlie and our stuff. Olivia texts me the address of the rink, and I promise we’ll meet them there. With hugs goodbye, Charlie and I head home. I make sure Charlie’s homework is done and her clothes are set out for school tomorrow. I get her a bag packed for the game, and we walk out the front door. I hope it’s a smooth and uneventful evening.

CHAPTER 5

Caleb

Walking into the lobby of the rink, I see Matt, Josh, Grayson, Olivia, Zoey, Hannah, and Eliza standing in a group. I join them, stopping between Grayson and Matt and tipping my chin in acknowledgement. Olivia is telling everyone about the registry she got set up after hassling from her friends and family. As I’m about to ask her to text me the link, someone calls my name. I turn around just in time to see a little blonde-haired bundle run straight for me. I drop my bag to the floor as she wraps her arms around my legs and smile down at her.

“Hey, Little Bear, what are you doing here?”

“I want to watch hockey with Liv.” She gives me a big toothy grin, and I think I melt a little inside.

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