Page 53 of When We Breathe
“How did they handle it?” Millie asks.
Thinking back on that day on the boat, I smile. “They held me and reassured me until it passed.”
“That doesn’t sound like they’re annoyed to me,” Dani says.
“You’re allowed tobea lot,” Darby reminds me. “Baby girl, if you’re too much for them, they can go find less. Take up the space you need to take up. You’re a fabulous woman.”
“And they know it,” Millie adds. “They came to see Holden last week.”
I sit up straighter, staring at my friend. “What?”
“Yep.” She nods. “They came out to the ranch and asked to speak with him privately, so I wasn’t in on the conversation, but he told me later that they wanted to be clear that they care about you, plan to be with you for as long as you’ll let them, and needed to make sure they have Holden’s blessing because they know that would be important to you.”
Charlie dabs at the tears flowing down my cheek.
“Well, shit.” I wipe my nose with the back of my hand.
“That doesn’t sound like someone who’s sick of you and your baggage,” Skyla says.
“God, it’s really swoony,” Billie adds, making me laugh.
“Do you love them?” Dani asks.
“Yeah. And that’s the other thing. Aside from you girls and Holden, I don’t let anyone close enough to me to reallyfeel. Because I was told my whole life that I’m worthless, a waste of space, and although I don’t believe that, I still carry the cage around my heart because I don’t trust that anyone would truly love me back. Not like that. And these two sexy, accomplished, amazing men?Two of them? No, that seems impossible.”
“I think they’re two sexy,intelligentmen who know exactly what they want,” Charlie says. “And you need to trust that they know themselves and each other well enough to make that decision.”
“If the worst happened, we’ll always be here to help pick up the pieces,” Skyla reminds me. “But have a littlefaith in those two men who have done nothing but show you that they adore you.”
There’s a knock on the door, making me frown.
“I’ve got it,” Millie says, standing and crossing to the door. When she opens it, she steps back, and I see Jake Wild again. “Jake?”
“Oh, hey, Aunt Mills.” He leans in and kisses her cheek. “I have pizza for Alex. But I can go grab more.”
He glances inside and smiles at me.
“You’re having a party and didn’t invite me?”
I laugh and stand, make my way over to them. “Sorry about that. Let me guess, the guys sent this over?”
“Yeah, they want to make sure you’re eating.”
“That’s thesweetest,” Billie says behind me.
“Tell them thanks.”
Jake nods and takes a step back. “You look better than you did yesterday. I was kind of worried about you.”
I tip my head to the side and frown at the teenager. “Why were you worried?”
He shrugs almost self-consciously. “I guess I just know what it feels like to be extra sad. Crappy childhood, you know? But life’s pretty damn good now, and I guess I want you to be happy, too. I’ll let the guys know you got your pizza. They’re kind of freaked out.”
“I love this kid,” Dani says behind me, making Jake grin.
“Love you too, Miss Dani,” he says with a wink.
“Thanks, Jake. I’ll grab my purse and tip you.”
