Page 19 of When Forever Comes

Several heads turn in their direction. I step back into the lobby, giving the nosier patrons a fake smile and a nod to keep them away.

“Why don’t you take this somewhere more private?” I suggest, ushering them out of the lobby.

They both agree and I show them to the smallest conference room, since it’s the only one available.

Brad doesn’t wait for me to leave. “I have needs that you’ve failed to meet. Lexi was there and willing.”

Despite the damage Olivia did to my heart less than an hour ago, I can’t help but feel protective of her. “You’re blaming Olivia for your infidelity?”

“Shut it, super dork.”

“No, you shut it, Brad!” Brad’s mouth snaps closed at Olivia’s tone. “You knew when we started dating that I wanted to wait. You told me it was important to you too.”

“I screwed up, okay? I know and I’m sorry. My need outweighed my rational thoughts.”

I scoff at his pathetic apology. If Brad hears me, he doesn’t show it.

Olivia’s jaw clenches and her nostrils flare. Despite the seriousness of this moment, I can’t help but find her adorable.

He stalks toward her. My shoulders stiffen and all my muscles tense. She takes several steps backward until her back is pressed against my front. Instinctively, I wrap my arm around her waist, giving her my silent support.

She tilts her head back to look up at me and the trust that shines in her eyes kicks my protective instinct into overdrive and makes me forget about the heart she broke only minutes ago.

Brad starts on a tangent about how her parents are losing tons of money on a ceremony and reception that will never happen because of her lack of forgiveness. I can see her crumbling under the weight of his accusations.

“Get out,” I growl, pointing at the door.

“You won’t tell me what to do.”

“Get. Out.” My words are clipped and full of warning.

“Not without my Olive.” He grabs her wrist and tugs at her so forcefully she’s ripped out of my grip. She cries out in pain and all I see is red.

In the blink of an eye, I have my hand curled around his wrist, pressing my thumb into a pressure point that numbs his entire arm. He releases her and she stumbles back but rights herself quickly. I press harder and the pain sends him to his knees. I stare down at him, grateful for my single semester of Krav Maga.

“Tell her you’re sorry,” I demand.

“Get your hands off me! I’m calling the police!”

I keep my thumb firmly on his pressure point. “The only two witnesses are me and the woman you just manhandled. What exactly are you going to tell the police?”

“That you attacked me!” Brad shouts.

Olivia laughs. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously. My arm is numb.”

“And you squeezed my wrist so hard I’m going to bruise. Do you really want to go into that battle?” Olivia lifts her arm to show Brad the marks. When my eyes land on the outline of Brad’s fingers on her skin, red floods my vision. My spirit immediately settles after a three-word, silent prayer: "God help me."

“Leave Olivia alone.”

Brad lashes out. “You’re pathetic. You both are. Always have been.”

“Okay,” Olivia says, looking bored.

As much as I want to twist his wrist until tears stream down his cheeks, I don’t. Instead, I release him.

I step beside Olivia, needing her close, to know she’s okay.

---