Page 44 of Love Affair in London (Once Again #12)
Jared’s heart jumped. It was exactly what he and the kids wanted. But he knew Erica was hurting. “I’m really sorry it’s not working out.”
“I’ll tell him tonight,” she said. “He’s supposed to come over for dinner.”
Jared shook his head. “I’m concerned about you being alone with him when you break it off. His behavior has been escalating. Would it be better just to call him?” He didn’t want to be a dictatorial ass like Forrest, but the guy really worried him.
She laughed, though there was little humor in it. “You’re such a knight in shining armor.” After a pause, she picked up her phone. “But you’re right. I don’t know what he’ll do. I’ll call him now.”
Jared wanted to suggest she text instead, but he’d already stepped over the line by telling her to call.
She dialed, her phone loud enough for him to hear the ring. When Forrest answered, his voice boomed through the speaker. Hopefully the whole restaurant couldn’t hear. “Hey babe. Looking forward to tonight?”
Jared leaned close to hear everything.
Erica took a deep breath. “Forrest, I’ve been thinking about what you said last night about Jared. I find it hard to believe, and even if it were true, I don’t understand why you’d tell me that.”
Forrest sighed loudly. “I told you, honey. Because I was afraid you’d go back to him. I just wanted you to know the whole story.”
Erica glanced at Jared before continuing. “I talked to Jared. He denied everything, and I believe him. It’s not just that, though. I don’t like the way you spoke about Scarlett. She’s a responsible teenager who doesn’t even have a boyfriend, let alone throw wild parties.”
Forrest’s voice turned defensive. “I didn’t mean Scarlett. I just meant girls her age. You can’t be too careful.”
“I am being careful.” Erica’s voice grew firm. “That’s why I don’t want to see you anymore. Don’t come over tonight. If you come by, I won’t answer the door.”
Forrest stammered. “But, but?—”
“No buts,” Erica interrupted. “This conversation is over. Goodbye.” She ended the call and placed her phone on the table, the sudden silence almost deafening.
Jared gave her an encouraging smile. “I’m proud of you. I know that wasn’t easy.”
A single tear slid down Erica’s cheek. “He was the first man I really liked since our divorce.”
“I’m sorry it ended this way.” Jared touched her hand again, offering his comfort. “But you made the right decision.”
Her lips trembled slightly, but she nodded. “It’s hard. Sometimes I feel like I’ll spend the rest of my life alone.”
Jared hesitated, but he had to ask, “If you’re lonely, why did we get divorced?”
Erica swiped at her tear. “Because I felt lonely even with you. It’s not that I stopped loving you—I just stopped being in love with you.”
Her words hit him like a blow, even though he knew they were true. She was the one who took his hand now. “You weren’t in love with me anymore, either. We both know that.”
“We could have tried counseling.”
“I didn’t want counseling,” she admitted. “I wanted a fresh start. I thought I’d find someone who made me their priority. And I thought Forrest could turn out to be that man.”
Guilt stabbed him. “You were always my priority.”
“No,” she said gently. “Your work came first, the kids were second. And I came in third. That’s a bronze medal. I wanted to be gold.”
Her analogy stung because it was so true. He’d screwed up his marriage and his family. “You never told me in quite that way.” But would he have heard if she had?
“I just wanted to start over,” she repeated. “But now I’m lonelier than ever.”
Jared wanted to hold her, give her the comfort of a hug, but she wasn’t his wife anymore. “You’ll find someone. You’re beautiful and kind and loving. You deserve someone great.”
She gave him a smile so sad that he ached for her. “I hate the idea of dating again.”
“What about Mr. Gunderson?” he asked.
Her eyes widened. “Liam’s teacher?”
“He’s divorced. And he’s clearly into you.”
She snorted a laugh. “Why on earth would you think that?”
He gave her a knowing look. “I was at that last parent-teacher meeting. And I have eyes. The guy couldn’t take his off you.”
“You’re being silly.”
“No, I’m not,” he said emphatically.
She shook her head. “I couldn’t.”
“Why not? He’s a good guy.”
“Liam would freak.”
“He’d prefer Gunderson over Forrest,” Jared said with a grin.
She laughed, genuinely this time. “You’re right about that.”
“Just think about it,” he urged. “You deserve someone who respects you and the kids.”
She studied him. “What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”
Jared hadn’t planned on mentioning Piper, but the words tumbled out before he could stop them. “Yes. I think I am.”
She gave him a look. “You think ? Is this a serious thing?”
He paused, his thoughts drifting to Piper. After a moment, he nodded. “Yeah. It is.”
“Did you meet her at work?”
“No.” He hesitated. “Actually, I met her in London. But she lives here in the Bay Area.”
Erica furrowed her brow. “But you were at a conference, right?”
He could see the potential for doubt in her eyes—Forrest’s accusations lingering in the air. Quickly, he added, “I went to the conference a couple of days early to do some sightseeing. She lost her phone, and I found it. We just… hit it off.”
Her expression softened with his explanation. “Have you been lonely too?”
The admission came easily. “Yeah. I have been.”
“Does she make you happy?”
He nodded. “She does. Even if it’s only been a week.”
Erica smiled, a gentle squeeze of his hand accompanying her words.
“Then you need to explore it. Even if it’s new, you should see if it’s something that could last.” Her voice turned wistful.
“I might’ve fallen out of love with you, but I never stopped caring about you.
I want you to be happy. Maybe this woman can do that for you. ”
“I believe she can.” Then he admitted, “But she doesn’t feel the same way.”
Erica leaned back with a laugh, though her eyes held curiosity. “Why would she pass up a handsome hunk like you?”
He gave her a wry chuckle. “Maybe for the same reasons you did.” His tone turned serious. “And there’s a big age gap.”
Erica raised one brow. “How much younger is she?”
“Not younger. She’s twelve years older.”
Her gasp was audible. “You mean she’s… fifty-five?”
“Yeah.” He closed his eyes briefly, then met her gaze. “Would that be as hard for you, if you fell in love with a guy who was thirty?”
Erica exhaled slowly. “I don’t know.” She stared at the table for a long moment, clearly mulling it over.
Finally, she said, “But age shouldn’t matter.
If she makes you happy, and you make her happy, then you owe it to yourselves to explore it.
Just like you said I should explore something with Mr. Gunderson.
” She punctuated the suggestion with a dramatic eye roll.
Jared smirked. “What’s with the eye roll?”
Erica grinned mischievously. “Maybe you should give me her number. I’ll call her and tell her what a great guy you are.”
He burst out laughing. “No, thank you. You’d probably scare her off.”
“I swear I wouldn’t.”
“No way,” he said firmly, though his grin lingered.
Erica’s expression grew thoughtful, her gaze steady. “You need to work on her. Show her she can’t pass up a chance at happiness. Promise me you’ll try.”
He glanced at his watch, realizing their lunch hour was nearly over. Meeting her gaze for a long moment, he said, “I promise.”
It was a promise he intended to keep.