Page 95 of Breathe Again

“You’re okay, Mara.” Willa’s voice, soft and soothing, reached out to me from the backseat.

“I know,” I replied just as softly. I don’t think she knew what troubled me, but I guessed she could feel my tension.

Rhys dropped Willa off first. She leaned over the seat front, patted Rhys’ shoulder in thanks, bussed me on the cheek, and headed into her condominium building.

“Please wait until she’s inside,” I murmured.

“Of course,” he rumbled.

Willa disappeared behind the double doors, and I pulled my cell out to wait for her text saying she was safe inside her place.

“Is it bad?” Rhys’ voice broke into my thoughts.

“I’m sorry?”

“Is it bad? The worry over your loved ones?”

I laughed ruefully. “Is it obvious?”

He didn’t laugh but answered seriously, “Yes. You remind me a great deal of my wife.”

I snorted. “I kind of doubt that.”

He glanced at me. “No, I know what I’m talking about. Barrett sees her in you, too.”

I remembered the conversation from the bar.

“Is she the one he loves and misses?”

“Yes. She was like an older sister to him. She loved him, too. Worried about him incessantly. He maintains he’s never been loved like that.”

“It’s not all it’s puffed up to be.”

“I know it comes with other stuff, difficult stuff, big emotions.” He paused, and my mind reeled, how much did he know? I looked at him, fear in my eyes, I’m sure.

He smiled at me, a soft smile. “She was worth it. As are you.”

“Thank you, Rhys,” I pushed, needing to know for sure, “but you don’t know…”

“I do, Mara, I do know.”

“Bex told you,” I whispered, feeling betrayed and feeling stupid for feeling that way.

I confided in Zale, why would I expect Bex to be different with Rhys? Plus, they had children they needed to protect against crazy people like me. I would never be a threat to them, but he wouldn’t know that.

“Actually, I told her,” he replied easily.

“What?” I whispered, startled, my thoughts and emotions whirling.

“I saw it in you. I told Rebecca about my wife, some of her difficulties, and shared my concern that you were suffering.”

Tears sprang to my eyes. He saw me. I existed, I took up space, I was worthy of attention.

He continued. “Barrett saw it, too. Nobody told him.”

“Oh, God.”

I felt stripped naked, simultaneously devastated at the exposure, and thrilled to be seen.

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