Chapter Ten – A New Play Date (and Mate)

It was a relaxing morning, and nothing could be better. He had a nice comfy pillow to sprawl out on at Olivia's feet. One of her feet at least. The other was resting lightly on his side and rubbing back and forth every now and again. There was a bone sitting close enough to him that he could grab it without really moving. He wasn't hungry, but it was nice to have just in case. Soft music was playing at a level that wasn't annoying. Ah, wait. There was something that could be better. Suvi squirmed around on his pillow, using the movement to scratch his back. With the itch gone he stretched contently. Yup. Now it was perfect.

"Happy there?" Olivia called down to him.

His eye rolled up toward her briefly in recognition. Yes, he was happy. In fact, he'd be more than satisfied if they spent the rest of the morning that way. It was nice.

And quickly disturbed by her cell phone ringing. Humans. He huffed and rolled slightly to look up at her. Did she want him to get that?

"I got it, lazy bum."

Oh. Good.

Olivia stood, careful not to step on him as she got off the couch, and headed over to where she'd left her phone. The number displayed was unknown and a quick look confirmed she didn't recognize it. Probably work related then.

"Benson."

"So I finally find out your last name," Ben answered. "At least I think it's your last name and not some twist on mine."

An unplanned smile flashed across Olivia's face when she heard his voice. She really should have considered that the unknown number might be his.

"It is. Now I'm at a disadvantage."

"Ollenghy. Ben Ollenghy."

Olivia made a quiet noise to confirm that she'd heard but said nothing. He had called her, not the other way around, so she would let him lead the conversation. It wasn't like she had any idea where it was going. If it was even meant to go anywhere. There was a possibility he was calling simply to call.

"Look, my brother is in town. The one with the dog? We're up at the park, and I was wondering if you and Suvi wanted to come join us. He could use someone to play with."

"You and your brother, huh?"

She wasn't entirely sure Ben's plan sounded fun to her. While she might know Ben she didn't know his brother. It was far more likely to be awkward than enjoyable.

"And Jerry, yeah. Suvi would probably like him."

"Who are you actually inviting, me or Suvi?"

"Well, technically Suvi, but I figured I would go through you since you would have to join us anyway. And, you know, you speak English."

She really should hit him.

"I see. In that case I guess I better ask him then." She paused and glanced toward Suvi. "You want to go to the park, Su?"

Suvi had been lazy all morning and hadn't shown any sign of wanting to move. The moment the word park was in play though he snapped to his feet and nearly barreled into her legs.

"Considering he almost just had a head-on collision with my knees I'm going to assume he says yes. Where do you want us to meet you?"

"The usual spot."

"Give me twenty minutes, okay?"

"Sounds good. See you in a bit."

Olivia hung up and started getting Suvi ready to go. She considered taking the subway but decided a cab would be faster. As much as she had hesitated to go at first, now she was looking forward to it. That seemed to be hard not to do when it came to Ben. He made her smile every time they ran into each other.

When he spotted her twenty minutes later and Olivia met his eyes that exact thing happened. A warm smile spread across her face nearly involuntarily.

"Hey."

"Hey," Olivia returned softly.

"Let me introduce you," Ben told her as he guided her over to where his brother was. "Olivia, this is my brother, Cole, and his dog, Jerry. Cole, this is Olivia and Suvi."

Olivia reached out and shook Cole's hand. He looked just like his brother only younger and with curlier hair. When he smiled at her in greeting Olivia picked up on other major differences too. Ben's eyes lit up when he smiled and there was always this sense of teasing. Cole didn't have that.

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

"Is he okay with other dogs?" Cole asked.

"Yeah, he's fine."

In fact, Suvi was already leaning forward and trying to sniff at Jerry. Olivia trailed her fingers over his head and unsnapped his leash. Once free his head snapped up so he could meet her eyes. She smiled down at him and nodded.

"Go play, but check in."

She probably hadn't even needed to tell him that since he usually did anyway, but when people he knew were around he was willing to venture a bit farther than normal. Even if he wasn't there she had people with her that could help should she need it. Regardless, he would never be far away. Never. He raced a circle around her before trotting off to check Jerry out. Olivia's eyes stayed on Suvi as he and Jerry sniffed at each other. When they started chasing each other around her eyes were still on them. It wasn't until Ben touched her arm that she pulled her eyes away.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

"Yeah, sorry. Just checked out for a second there."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Don't need to get you a plane ticket back?"

Olivia glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. Despite that there was a smile dancing at the corners of her lips. Who else would have come up with that and been able to say it with a straight face?

"You are an idiot," Cole muttered.

There was no holding the smile back after that.

"You're rubbing off on him already," Ben told her. "Calling me an idiot."

Olivia was usually a bit gentle about it though. At least sometimes.

"You deserved it," Cole returned.

"Sadly I've come to realize that's his version of normal," Olivia admitted.

"Which just makes him more of an idiot."

"Ow. Dang. You're all tearing me apart."

"You'll get over it," Cole retorted.

"He's a great brother, isn't he?" Ben asked Olivia.

In spite of what he'd said Olivia could read right through it. They cared about each other and none of the insults were really meant. She pat his shoulder and smiled at him.

"He's keeping me entertained."

Ben's smile only grew in response.

"He's good at that."

"Does Suvi play Frisbee, Olivia?" Cole asked.

"Yeah."

"Good. I brought two," he told her as he held both up for her to see.

"Let's go then."

They spent the next hour throwing Frisbees, chasing the dogs around the park, and talking. It would have been longer had the ring of Olivia's cell phone not interrupted them. She only spoke to whoever was on the other end for a few minutes before hanging up and giving Ben and Cole an apologetic smile.

"Sorry. I have to go. Work."

"Have fun," Ben replied.

"I'm not sure fun is really the best word," she returned before calling out to Suvi and clipping on his leash. Before they left the park his vest would go on too.

"I'll see you later, Olivia."

"Yeah."

A moment later she was jogging off. Ben watched until she disappeared into the crowd.

"You really like her, don't you?"

Cole's question was enough to startle Ben back to the here and now. He turned slightly to see his brother eying him closely.

"Yeah, I do."

"You sure about her? I mean, she's gorgeous and all, but she didn't exactly seem…"

"We're just friends, Cole. I haven't gotten past that. Just keeping it slow."

Ben understood his brother's concern. Between his three siblings Cole was the one he was closest to, though his sister came in a close second. Cole knew what had happened in Ben's last serious relationship, and Ben really hadn't dated much since. Olivia was the first Ben had shown any real interest in, so Cole couldn't help but worry. It wasn't like Olivia seemed head over heels in love with him, and Cole really didn't want to see his brother hurt again.

"Probably a good idea."

"I'm doing it more for her sake than mine."

"Maybe you should be doing it for yours," Cole nearly sighed. "Make sure you're sure about this."

"I am. That's why I'm going slow. I don't want to scare her off."

"She didn't look easy to scare off to me."

Ben almost laughed. No, today she hadn't seemed the least bit suspicious or hesitant. He'd read a bit of unease at first, but she'd relaxed pretty quickly. Simply based off of today's interaction, Ben could understand Cole's assessment.

"You should have seen her the first few times we talked. Not a super pretty picture."

"And yet you're still trying."

"She's guarded, Cole, not completely uninterested. It'll be worth it."

"If you say so."

Cole wasn't completely sure he agreed with Ben's assessment, but it wasn't his life. Ben would make his own decisions and if everything went to hell with Olivia then Cole would be there to help pick up the pieces. He would really prefer not to need to though. The first time had been enough, and he didn't even want to consider how bad the second time would be. Definitely worse though. He was sure of that.

"Just do me a favor, Ben. Okay?"

Ben glanced toward him in agreement.

"Be careful. I don't want to see you trying to pick up all the pieces again."

"I don't either," Ben admitted softly.