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to sound casual and unconcerned.
    Olivia shakes her head stunned at Shannon’s question, “No! It’s just that being in a relationship again kind of frightens me, and Ethan, well, he’s kind of over the top sometimes,” she frowns at Shannon. “I can’t believe you would think that about him! You don’t know Ethan very well. It took me awhile to trust him. When I look into his eyes, there’s something there that I can’t explain. We argue a lot, but he would never strike out at me or harm me. Last night, confirmed that to me. He was livid, and he had been drinking. I could feel the tension in his body… hear it in his breathing when he reached out and grabbed my arm to stop me. He immediately let me go.” She shakes her head, “No, Shannon, not Ethan. He may be an asshole for a whole bunch of other reasons, but I don’t believe he has that in him.”
    “So why the brick wall? Why do you keep pushing him away?” Shannon pries.
    “I’m still fighting my own demons. Sometimes I win a few battles, but I’m not sure I’m winning the war.” She takes in a slow breath and closes her eyes. Willing the memories to stay out of her head.
    Shannon nods her head accepting Olivia’s assessment. This is a woman who survived abuse at the hand of horrible man. Olivia James is too strong… too smart to go down that road again. Shannon understands now why Olivia fought so hard to keep Ethan at a distance, at first. He’s a force of nature sometimes, with that Irish temper. She would have never let him in to her life if she felt in any way that he was capable of hurting her. It’s a long journey to recover from that kind of violence. Shannon hates that she had to ask, but she has learned some hard lessons as an attorney. Sometimes those who tell convincing stories, hide truths. Sometimes the guy next door, that everybody knows and loves, is capable of horrific violence.

Chapter Three
    Olivia would rather be anywhere but the restaurant Ethan owns. She assumes that Shannon’s choice to have lunch at Ireland’s Pub is because John is working here today, and she can stare at his sexy ass while she eats.
    “Dear God!” Olivia complains. “Don’t you two share a hotel room? Couldn’t you have got that out of your system this morning when you went home to change?”
    Shannon smiles, “We did!”
    “Somebody’s grumpy,” Rachel adds. “Why don’t you just make up with your man? Obviously, you can’t live without him.”
    “Stop it,” Olivia bites out. “There’s no point in me going dress shopping. I’m not going anywhere with him.”
    Shannon stares at her, “Oh you are going. He’s already called me twice. He’s not taking no for an answer.”
    “See? He’s so bossy. How can we possibly have a relationship when he’s so bossy?” Olivia grumbles.
    “The same way you did before last night,” Shannon says, as she folds her menu in front of her.
    “That sure was a messed up night,” Rachel adds nervously, glancing over at Shannon.
    “Yes, it was. Maybe you should come clean about that, so Olivia stops blaming Ethan for it.” She gives Rachel an intimidating glare.
    Olivia looks over at Rachel and narrows her eyes. “What’s she talking about, Rach?”
    Rachel fidgets, folding and unfolding her napkin, trying to think of a way to tell her. “Well, Olivia… please don’t be angry with me. But that whole thing… dating Hannah…” She stops and looks into Olivia’s eyes.
    “Yes?” Olivia encourages her to continue.
    “Well, that was my idea. I told Ethan to do it.”
    Olivia’s mouth opens in shock as her chin drops. “Your idea? Rachel, why?” she asks, emotion starting to become evident in her voice.
    “I’m so sorry. You never told me about the things Hannah had said to you before, or I would never have suggested her.”
    “Question is,” Shannon interrupts. “Why were you suggesting anyone at all? Olivia is your friend.”
    Rachel gives Shannon an angry look, “Because I thought