Built To Last

“Madam.” Jake pulled out her chair in a grand gesture.

“Thank you, kind sir.”

Jake took the seat across from her, the small table the only barrier between them. He stretched out his hand and she placed hers in his. Who knew something as simple as holding hands could take on so much meaning? The silence was comfortable but a thread of tension stretched between them.

When the waiter arrived, they ordered dinner and a bottle of wine to share. She was sensitive to drinking alcohol, not wanting to become what her father had. But she would enjoy a glass of wine from time to time, and tonight was one of those times. Hopefully a glass of wine would give her strength for the conversation they had to have, both about Lindsay and her own plans to leave.

After they ordered, they still didn’t talk. She scanned the room, spying other happy couples laughing and smiling while her stomach started to churn. The waiter delivered their wine and presented a sip for Jake to taste and he nodded his approval. After pouring glasses for both of them, the waiter left them alone again.

But still they didn’t speak. After taking a long sip of her wine, she set her glass down, ready to confront the elephant that had joined them at the table. “So, about your ex-girlfriend.”

Jake sighed and an expression she didn’t recognize crossed his face. “Lindsay.”

“How long did you date?”

“About two years.”

Erin’s heart skipped. No relationship of hers had lasted that long. Although this time with Jake felt more serious than anything she’d had before. “What happened?”

“We wanted different things out of life.”

Erin choked on a sip of wine. Her own fear realized. She knew for sure that she had to find a way to end this before it became more. But first she needed to know. “Did you love her?”

Jake took a long drink from his glass. He ripped off a piece of bread, dipped it in the oil and spices and took a bite. At least she wasn’t alone in her discomfort. “I did. At least I thought I did. But if I had really loved her, wouldn’t I have known she was unhappy?” Another dip, another bite. “Wouldn’t I have been willing to do anything to work it out?”

Erin didn’t respond. She didn’t think he wanted an answer, and she didn’t have one to offer. Especially considering what she needed to tell him.

She reached her hand across the table and covered his, hoping to offer some comfort. “Where is she now?”

“LA. She wanted to live there, and I wanted to live here. But, I think it’s all for the best.” He flipped his hand over and linked his fingers with hers. “As far as I’m concerned, it worked out exactly like it’s supposed to.”

Erin opened her mouth to respond, the perfect opening to discuss her future—their future—and the fact that her time in Laguna Beach had a deadline. She couldn’t let them get any more involved knowing that she was leaving. Just like Lindsay.

A single sound had barely escaped her lips when a man approached their table. Jake’s eyes lit up, and he leapt to his feet.

“Ryan, man. Can’t believe you’re here.” He extended his hand and then back slapped Ryan. These two men were clearly close. Jake motioned to her and she stood. “Erin, I want you to meet my best friend and business partner, Ryan Huddleston. Ryan, this is my girlfriend, Erin.”

Girlfriend. She liked the sound of that. Too much. Maybe she could be his girlfriend. At least while she was in town. If only she knew how long that would be. “Nice to meet you, Ryan.”

“Why don’t you join us?” Jake peered around Ryan. “Is Megan here?”

“Yeah, she just stopped off on the way to our table. As long as you’re sure?” Ryan glanced at Erin as if asking for her approval.

Well, her chance to talk to Jake was lost now. She might as well get to know his friend. “Absolutely. The more the merrier.”

Ryan’s girlfriend walked up just then. Erin stared. She couldn’t help it. She brushed her hands down her sundress, a homely outfit in comparison to the red wrap dress worn by the beautiful woman standing in front of her.

Erin looked to Jake. But he wasn’t looking at Ryan’s girlfriend. His eyes were locked on her. He gave her a quick wink and squeezed her hand before turning back to his friend.

“Hey, Megan. Great to see you again.” He embraced Megan but his hand stayed firmly in Erin’s. “This is Erin.”

“Hi.” Megan smiled and her voice was soft and gentle.

Erin liked her already.

They all sat and the waiter quickly arranged for two additional place settings. After a few polite minutes of getting to know each other, Jake and Ryan were talking about a problem at one of their work sites and Erin and Megan fell into an easy conversation. Megan regaled Erin with stories of Jake and Ryan, some of the things the best friends had done together. And some things Erin was sure they had done with Lindsay.

Erin hadn’t expected to like Megan. After years of being on the receiving end of the mean girls at LBHS, Erin approached each new friendship warily.