Page 106 of Breathe Again

He looked at me quizzically. “Let’s go?”

“Yup.”

I smiled big and he smiled back, looking relieved.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

I hated myself.

We got to the restaurant to find Rhys and Rebecca already seated. More relieved than I could explain to be in her presence. I smiled big at both of them, and they greeted me warmly.

Rhys cocked his head, studying me in that way he had, and I saw him look at Rebecca, concern written on his handsome face. I wondered if I looked as brittle as I felt. I wished my own husband would see me. I sat down next to Rebecca, and she took my hand in hers.

“Holy fucking manoli, Mara, you’re trembling!”

I winced. “Shush, Bex. Don’t call attention to it please.”

Zale sat talking with Rhys, who glanced our way every few seconds.

“You’re in no shape to be out tonight,” she added.

“I know, but we don’t get this opportunity too often and I didn’t want to disappoint him.”

“Can he not see how you’re feeling?”

“No, Rebecca, he cannot,” I replied sharply. “Please. We can’t all have a Rhys.” I dropped my chin for a second. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” I looked back up to meet her eyes, make sure we were okay.

“No sorry necessary, babe. You know I’m your bitch.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that. “I know.”

“What’s going on?” She prodded.

“My mom has basically no real feelings for me. I feel like I’m physically falling apart. I’m so tired, I’m so disgusted with myself, I hate the way I look…” I stopped. “I’m just having a bad day. I’ll be fine. Honestly. A delicious meal, good conversation, a drink or three, and I’ll be fine.” I smiled to back up my words. She didn’t look convinced.

My mood slowly picked up due to Bex’ comforting presence, and I was feeling almost serene when a slender woman, quite a bit younger than me, approached Zale.

“Zale? Hey!”

I stiffened in my seat. She leaned over and gave him a light hug and a kiss on his cheek.

The blood drained from my face, the curious sensation of ice and weightlessness slowly made its way down my body, leaving a sense of vertigo in its wake. The sick feeling hit my stomach at the sametime as the blood raged back to my face slapping two stark slashes of red across my cheeks. Bile churned in my stomach. A scream of rage lodged in my throat. I fought the nausea that threatened to expel the contents of my stomach.

“Holly! Hi! Are you here with the team?”

So, he worked with her.

Oh, God. Was she the reason he’d been so uncomfortable that night when we fought about his working late?

Both Rhys and Bex locked on to me. I had no energy to hide it or care. Bex put her hand on my thigh, pressing in firmly. The earlier trembling in my hands had given way to full body vibrations. I heard Bex gasp, but I could not answer her, too busy gritting my teeth together to stop them from chattering.

I remembered my decision to not watch Zale talking to other women, and I met Rhys’ gaze across the table for a half a second as I swung my attention away from the petite, bubbly, redhead presently chatting with my husband. Rhys winced when he met my eyes, so I knew my face hid nothing of my agony.

“No, I’m here with my husband. We got a sitter for the kids and we’re having a date night. I won’t keep you, I just wanted to thank you again for recommending me for that promotion. I hate to leave your district, you’re the best manager I’ve ever had, but I’m also happy to be moving up.”

“You’re welcome. You earned it.”

Bex murmured low in my ear, but I couldn’t make sense of her words, my attention already divided between locking down my emotions, and the conversation between my husband and this woman. Wondering who she was to him that she thought she could put her fucking hands and her fucking whore mouth on him. My throat tightened, holding back the rage that burned to escape.

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