Page 30 of Behind the Net

“We’re going to breathe together.” I scramble to remember what Hazel does in her yoga classes. “In, two, three, four,” I say, slow and steady, holding eye contact with her. “Out, two, three, four, five, six. Great. Nice job. In, two, three, four.”

She’s shaking, trying to drag in breaths with my slow timing. She’s slumping over more on the wall, and I’m worried she’ll slip, so I help her to a seated position on the floor and take the spot beside her.

“You’re doing great.” I launch into another counted breath.

“This never happens,” she says, shaking her head.

I nod with understanding. “No problem. We’re just going to breathe through it.”

Her eyes lock on mine, full of fear. “It’s the smell of bourbon. It just makes me lose it.”

“It’s okay.” My voice is calm, and I count her through another breath.

The door opens, and a woman takes one look at us sitting on the floor and walks back out. I lead Donna through more breathing exercises. I don’t know what I’m doing, but this seems to be helping. After five minutes, it seems like she’s okay. Shaky, but she can breathe on her own. Her breaths are deep and strong.

“I’m okay,” she says, nodding with closed eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

My eyes go wide. “Donna, don’t apologize. Please. This is just…” I shrug. “This is just life.”

The corner of her mouth turns up as she offers me a grateful smile. “You’re amazing, do you know that?”

I shake my head, laughing. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

She laughs. “Me neither.”

We’re quiet for a moment. I can hear people chatting in the hallway, heading home. My mind flicks to how often Jamie visits his mom. She saidthis never happens,but she headed to the ladies’ room fast enough to tell me otherwise.

“Does Jamie know you get panic attacks?”

She sighs. “Yes.” She glances at me with a pleading look. “Please don’t tell him about this. He has enough to worry about with hockey.”

I grimace with discomfort. He’s my boss. I can’t keep secrets from him. Then, I think about Zach arranging to have me sent to the airport. I know what it’s like to be embarrassed by something that isn’t your fault.

“Okay.” My mouth twists. “But I think you should tell him.”

She snorts. “He’ll try to move in with me again.”

There’s a commotion in the hallway. Raised voices.

“Where is she?” Jamie’s voice booms.

My pulse skyrockets, and I jump up, exchanging a look with Donna before opening the door. Jamie’s standing outside the door to the box, arms folded and jaw set, while the woman who walked into the bathroom gestures down the hall toward the washroom. Jamie’s face is flushed from exertion and his eyes are bright, and there’s a shift in my chest. God, he’s so freaking gorgeous, even when he’s furious. Jamie meets my gaze, and the flashing anger in his eyes drains away. His shoulders inch down.

“Hi,” I say brightly. “We just had to use the washroom,” I lie.

He storms over, staring at Donna, who appears behind me in the hallway outside the washroom. “Someone said there was a woman in the bathroom having a panic attack.”

Donna blows out a breath and rolls her eyes at me. “So much for that.”

“Mom.” His tone is sharp, worry written all over his face.

She waves him off. “So I got a little excited.”

“What happened?” Jamie demands. When his mom just blows out another frustrated breath, he turns to me. “What. Happened?”

“The server accidentally spilled booze on me,” Donna admits. “Pippa helped me collect myself, and now I’m just ready to go home and read my book. I’m booking an Uber.”

He’s already shaking his head. “I’m driving you.”

---