Free Breathe by Donna Alward Page B

and she wanted to cut out her tongue. What had happened to making sure they didn’t talk about their past relationship?
    â€œIt means a lot to me that you felt you could come to me. I know I’ve been difficult the last twenty-four hours.”
    â€œWho wouldn’t be? We took you completely by surprise.”
    â€œYes, you did. I wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t prepared for children. But I didn’t mean you weren’t welcome.”
    She bit down on her lip. Not welcome was exactly how she’d felt. Until the moment their mouths had touched. Then it had felt very, very welcoming.
    â€œAbout what happened in the car…”
    He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Your idea for the guesthouse is a good one. I got carried away, that’s all.”
    It was what she’d wanted to hear and yet it still deflated her. But now, like then, she preferred keeping the friendship between them. The friendship was what would sustain them. She had to focus on that.
    â€œWe go back a long way, don’t we?”
    â€œYes, Anna, we do. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
    She swallowed heavily. It had been years since she’d heard him speak her name in just that way, and warmth curled through her insides. Did he have any idea how much she’d missed him over the years? How she’d needed him only to have him treat her like she was his best friend’s baby sister?
    â€œI could have used you on my side.”
    She lifted her eyes and lost herself in the regret she saw reflected back to her. “I let you down,” he admitted. “It’s not something I like about myself.”
    How could she answer without getting embroiled in the one topic they never discussed? She chose her words carefully. “You were honest. I understood why you kept away.”
    For moments their eyes clung. Questions hovered on Anna’s lips, but she was too afraid to hear the answers so remained silent. She begged him to forgive her with her eyes. Hoping he understood without words what it was she wanted to say.
    â€œI’m here now,” he said gently. “And I hope I’m not too late.”
    He came forward then and put his arms around her, enfolding her in a hug. She closed her eyes as her head rested against the inside of his shoulder. Her arms curved around his back and she held on, drawing strength from him. He felt so good. He hadn’t held her for many years, and it took her back to the rolling green hills of the Morelli estate. The feelings rushed through her and she tried to ignore most of them and concentrate on what she really needed right now. Strength and support. Her champion back. Even if they were both more than a little flawed.
    She pushed away a little, feeling better but still realizing he deserved to know the truth about Stefano’s death. It wasn’t fair to keep it from him any longer. There had to be some measure of trust, of honesty between them. Despite their fights, they’d built bridges the last few days. He had to hear it from her.
    â€œI need to tell you about Stefano, and what brought me to Two Willows.”
    â€œI am sorry about your husband. I can’t imagine how you must feel. Of course you would want to get away from reminders of him.”
    His chocolaty eyes held her motionless and she knew she had to explain. It was as good an opening as any to tell him how things had really been. It wasn’t fair for her to let him go on thinking she’d had a perfect marriage. Or that she was nursing a broken heart. And if he thought less of her in the end, so be it.
    â€œThey aren’t the kind of reminders you think. I certainly didn’t run because of a broken heart. I ran because being home made me feel like an imposter. All the looks and words made me feel guilty for not grieving more. Oh, Jace, I couldn’t breathe.”
    â€œYou did love your husband, didn’t