Page 7 of Saving You

“Hey, Caleb,” Olivia says once she’s finished the fry.

She has a big, shit-eating grin on her face as she takes in me sitting with Bailey and Charlotte. Olivia is one of my best friends’ sister and another’s wife. I’ve gotten to know her well over the years. This past summer, we all spent more time together because Liv started coming to our hockey games, and we even did a big group camping trip.

“Hey, Liv. What’s up?”

“Oh, nothing much. Who are your friends?”

“Olivia, this is Bailey and this is Charlotte. Bailey and Charlotte, this is Olivia.”

A soft hello comes from Bailey, and Charlotte waives at Olivia.

Olivia smiles at Charlie. “Charlotte is such a beautiful name, and it fits such a pretty girl.”

Charlotte blushes as she says thank you, and Josh walks up. “Is my wife bothering you, man?” he asks jovially, reaching out and giving my hand a quick shake.

Bailey’s body relaxes at Josh’s words. Was she worried that Liv was my girlfriend or here to make a move? A sense of happiness rises in me at her potential jealousy, yet I have no right. I push that feeling down and away. The last thing I need is to be lusting after a victim I helped. Not that I would ever use that word to describe Bailey. She’s a survivor. Anyone who goes through what she has and comes out the other end of it is a survivor.

“No, just stealing my fries,” I say as Olivia reaches over and steals another.

“The baby wanted another fry,” she says with a smile as she rubs her belly.

Josh smiles at her with a look so full of love and devotion. He’s looked at her like that for years and never made a move. I was happy when he told us a few months ago they were together and he was going to propose. Although he didn’t really tell us so much as he was checked on the ice during one of our games and Liv’s protective side came out.

She rushed onto the ice to check on him, calling him “babe,” before punching the guy who checked him in the face. Josh had to pull her away from him. It kind of outed their relationship. The following weekend, we found out they were expecting. They got married last Saturday in a small backyard wedding and they’ve never looked happier.

Charlie’s interest is peeked by Liv’s comment. “You’re having a baby?”

“Yup, our little baby will be here in April.” She continues rubbing her belly.

“That’s so cool,” Charlie says wistfully.

A noise chimes as Josh pulls his phone out. He pockets it and informs us they need to go.

“Still good for Saturday?” he asks.

“Yup, I should be home by five.”

Olivia immediately reaches out and grips Bailey’s arm. “Oh, you should join me and my friends for our girls’ night on Saturday. We are doing movies in pyjamas at our place with all of our favourite junk food. You and Charlotte should both come.”

“Oh, I don’t know…” Bailey starts.

“Can we, Mommy, please? Pretty please, Mommy. It will be so much fun!” Charlie pleads.

Bailey seems to resign herself and nods her acceptance as Olivia slides out of the bench.

“Yay, I can’t wait.” She pulls out her phone and hands it to Bailey, who adds her number before Liv and Josh leave.

“What in the world just happened?” Bailey asks under her breath.

“You have a girls’ night planned with Olivia and her friends, I guess,” I say.

Her head shoots up, and she looks me straight in the eye. “But why? She doesn’t even know me. Why is she just inviting me and my daughter over to her place for a girls’ night?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I do know Olivia is good people and her friends are too. They will do anything for each other. You guys will be safe if you want to go.”

Her gaze flicks over to Charlie. “Yeah, I told Charlie we would. I’m still not sure why she invited us.”

I know Olivia is someone who likes to be there for and support other people, but I’m not entirely sure as to what caused her to invite Bailey and Charlotte.

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