Page 34 of Time To Live Again

I push my damp hair away from my face, thankful that he can’t tell I’m lusting over him. “I’d love nothing more than to stay and talk with you, but I’m feeling a little dizzy.” His closeness is making it worse, and he needs to put some damn clothes on. My heart can only take so much heat. “I think I’m going to have to cut this short.”

I stand abruptly and lose my balance. My knees are seconds away from giving out, but I manage to grab the bench. I breathe in, but the steam is too much. My air passages feel obstructed, and I gasp. Panic sets in when I can’t inhale. Memories of my time in the hospital, watching people drown from the fluid in their lungs, flash through my mind like a slideshow.

“I can’t bre?—”

Leo is quickly at my side and wraps his arm around my waist. “Small steps forward. We’re almost at the door. You’ll be fine once we’re outside.”

I inhale again and again, but nothing is going in.Click. Click. Click.This time I’m part of the slideshow, gasping for air that never comes. Fear rattles my body, and I hold on to Leo with a death grip. I’m going to die like the others.

My butt hits a hard surface, then a cool breeze tickles my upper half. I hear a gasp. Something covers my shoulders and breasts, then someone captures my quivering hands. What’s happening?

“Olive, look at me. You’re in the locker room now.”

I force my eyes open and meet Leo’s concerned gaze and realize his lips are pressed against my clenched hands.

“Should I take you to the hospital?”

I shake my head wildly and try to move, gulping for air.

“Okay, okay. I need you to calm down and catch your breath. Keep your eyes on me and focus on your breathing. I’ll do it with you.” He puts my hand on his chest and inhales deeply. I follow. “Come on. Relax with me. In and out.”

Slowly the panic dissipates, my heart rate decreases, and my breathing evens out. Leo cups my cheek with one hand. “There you go. Keep breathing. You need to drink some water.”

“I have a bottle in my locker,” I say, my voice weak. Leo pulls the key chain off my wrist and fetches the bottle quickly.

He opens it, then places it in my hand. “Here you go.” I guzzle the refreshing liquid. He takes the empty bottle and hurries out of the room. Seconds later, he comes back with it refilled and hands it to me again. “Drink as much as you can.”

He takes a fresh hand towel, kneels before me, and gently wipes my face.

“I’m sorry.” A tear slides down my cheek.

He wipes it away with his thumb. “Why?”

“I didn’t want you to see me like that.”

“I won’t lie. You scared me, Olive. Did you have a panic attack?”

I nod. “That and I couldn’t handle the heat. Thank you for not calling anyone and for taking care of me. I despise hospitals.” I take several careful, measured breaths. “I think I’m okay now.”

He kisses my forehead, then stands up. It finally hits me we’re in the ladies’ locker room. I look down to see a towel draped over my shoulders and chest. The other one is pooled at my waist.

I tighten the one around my shoulders. “You saw me naked?”

He winces. “When you sat down, the towel broke loose. My focus wasn’t on your body, Olive. I covered you up again as fast as I could. Don’t be embarrassed.”

I huff. “This is not how I imagined you seeing me naked.”

“If it’ll make you feel any better, my towel dropped at one point too.”

“Well, that’s not fair. Not sure that would’ve calmed me down.”

“I didn’t see you completely naked. But let’s focus on the fact you were thinking about it. And when was that?”

“I’ll never tell.” I look up at him innocently. “And I’m glad we can joke about this.”

His goofy grin is on full display. How can he make me laugh at a moment like this? Can I take him home with me when the week is up? I already dread the moment I drive off the ferry and return home.

“I told you last night you were gorgeous. It’s up to you to believe it.”

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