Breathe for Me by Rhonda Helms Read Free Book Online Page A

his poem, he wants to know more about me. I scour the scant memories of the last few months for things I can tell him, things that won’t give too much away. I’m surprised by my eagerness to connect with him. Surprised, and a little afraid.
    But this evening is not to be one of fear. I will find that courage within myself. Because something in me won’t let him go. Won’t let me push him away.
    I murmur a quick prayer that Sitri will stay away for the evening and walk into the courtyard. Dominic is already waiting for me. The dark blue of his shirt brings out the color of his eyes. His hair is slightly unkempt as always. It looks soft and wavy. I clench my fists at my side to keep from sweeping a hand through it.
    â€œYou’re here,” I say as I approach him.
    â€œOf course. Ready?”
    I nod and follow him out the gate onto the sidewalk. We stroll in companionable silence for several minutes. I suspect Dominic is giving me time to relax, to acclimate to him. But I promised I wouldn’t run away anymore, and I plan to keep my word.
    â€œWhere do you live?” I ask him.
    â€œUptown. Not too far from the Garden District.” His words are comfortable, easy like his slow gait, and I fall in place right beside him. “My mom grew up in New Orleans and always wanted to move back, so we finally did a few years ago.”
    â€œI haven’t lived here that long either,” I say, trying to weigh my words. “I just moved here about five months ago.”
    â€œWhat do your parents do?”
    I force my eyes ahead and look at the cracks in the sidewalk as I pace forward. “They died a long time ago. I live…with my uncle. He’s out of town a lot.” Half truth, half lie. The best I can give right now.
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œNo apologies, remember?” I glance over at him, peering up at his face.
    He smiles. “How could I forget? I made that rule.”
    I shake my head in mock sadness. “Memory loss is usually the first symptom of an aging brain.” The words are flowing from me easier now, even though I still feel a little self-conscious.
    â€œSo I’ve heard. Guess I’d better watch myself around you. I’m forgetting things I should already know.” A smile teases the edge of his face.
    I turn my gaze back to the sidewalk, trying to swallow down the flush that climbs up my neck and across my cheeks. As we walk, the pinky of his hand brushes the side of mine. My heart rate doubles instantly at the unexpected contact, and I dare to let my own finger reach out in response.
    He doesn’t push me any further, and I am content for the moment to feel this intense, albeit brief, moment of connection. Then I pull back.
    â€œHere we are,” Dominic finally says, stopping in front of Jim’s Books.
    I give him a huge smile. “You have no idea how much I love this place.”
    â€œI figured. I’m a frequent visitor here too. Let’s go inside.” He opens the door for me, and I head in, wondering what else I’m going to learn about him. And how hard he’s making it for me to think of him as just a friend.

chapter five
    â€œI SABEL !” A GRUFF EXCLAMATION by Jim catches my attention immediately. He’s over by the nonfiction area shelving books, covered in dust. “You’re back. Did you get through Jane Eyre already?”
    I shoot Jim a smile. “Not yet. Hey, you promised me last time that you were going to clean this store,” I say, clucking my tongue with a teasing shake of my head. “It’s still a mess.”
    He smacks his thick, wrinkled hands on the side of his corduroy pants. Dust puffs all around him, and he waves the thick clouds away from his face as he coughs lightly. “I was. Got sidetracked.” He glances over my shoulder at Dominic, his eyebrows raised. “Small world. Fancy seeing you two here, together.”
    â€œHey, Jim,” Dominic