Page 1 of When We Breathe
Chapter One
ALEX
“We’re going out tonight,” my sister, Dani, says through the speaker of my cell phone, which is sitting on my desk next to my brand-new laptop.
I fuckinglovethis new laptop.
“I can’t,” I reply, still tapping the keys. “I’m working, D.”
“You can take a few hours to go out with us,” Dani insists. “Please? I haven’t seen you in forever. I miss you.”
My twin sister knows just which buttons to push with me. Because the truth is, I miss her, too.
“Skyla’s coming,” she continues, “and we’re going to talk Billie into it as well. It’s just drinks at The Wolf Den.”
These are my girls. My people. Skyla’s new to our group, but she fits in with us so well. Skyla’s and Dani’s husbands are Billie’s brothers. It makes me happy that they all found love, and I reallydoneed some girl time with my friends.
I blow out a breath and sit back in my chair. Rubbing my hands down my face, I squint my tired eyes to look at the time.
“When?”
“Around seven? Early enough to get dinner with the drinks. Come on, you know you want some apps and a martini.”
I really do.
I’ve been busting ass at work lately, and I could go for a night out with the girls. ItisSaturday, after all. Not that the day of the week means anything when you’re a reporter for a newspaper.
The news doesn’t keep banking hours.
“Okay, fine. I’ll come. I’m the life of the party anyway. You need me.”
Dani’s snort makes me grin. For too long, my sister didn’t laugh.
“Great. I’ll see you tonight. Love you.”
“Love you more.” I hang up and blow out a breath, staring at the article I’m currently writing about the local Humane Society and how little funding they have. They might have to shut down the operation in this part of Montana, which would leave hundreds of animals without a safe place every year.
The irony thatI’mwriting an article about animals is not lost on me. My editor-in-chief would be horrified if she knew what my childhood entailed, and how lucky she is that I didn’t have to visit the animal rescue to write this article.
Thank God for Zoom and the phone.
This work isn’t urgent. Itcanwait for tomorrow or even Monday. When was the last time I took a Sunday off?
I couldn’t tell you. I have absolutely no idea. Maybe I’m due.
After closing the laptop, I stand and stretch my hands up to the sky, then wander from the desk by the window of my living room into my small primary suite. I rent a tiny apartment above a garage here in Bitterroot Valley. Newspaper reporters don’t make a ton of money, and in this expensive resort town, this was what I could afford. But it’s clean, and it’s all mine. I feel safe here. I didn’t have to ask my brother to help me with a deposit, and I don’t have to have roommates. This apartment is what I’ve worked so hard for. My independence.
Plus, it’s in the heart of town, so I can get just about anywhere I need to go quickly to be on the scene for a story.
I’ll also be able to walk to The Wolf Den in less than ten minutes.
It’s all about location when you’re in my line of business.
After taking a much-needed shower,during which I shave every square inch of skin that required it, and wash and condition my hair, I get to work putting myself together for a night out.
I don’t plan to go home with anyone, but a girl never knows for sure. You must be prepared for anything.
After curling my long, dark hair, I see that I have a text from my sister.
