Free Breathing For The First Time by Mary E Thompson Page A

but I can agree. It will be hard for Rachel to see me with Brooke. But she’s still in Louisiana and is planning to stay there. Brooke and I haven’t talked about the future past grad school, hell we haven’t talked about the future past this weekend, but I’m guessing she’ll want to stay in the Carolinas.
    “Of course we can be friends. I wouldn’t want it any other way,” I tell her.
    “Will you set this outside for me?” she gestures to her suitcase and I smile, grabbing the bag and carrying it out, just in time to meet the attendant coming to take them away.
    I throw my backpack over my shoulder and glance back to Rachel. She says she’ll be up for breakfast in a little while.
    I climb the stairs, leaving my past behind me, and searching for my future.
     
     

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    Brooke
    At the airport Paige and I hug Tiffany goodbye. I thank her for her support and love during the trip and promise to visit her in New York over the summer. Paige and I walk to our gate and wait for boarding.
    Once on the plane, my exhaustion sinks in. I hoped to see Tyler this morning, but he wasn’t at breakfast. I know I’ll be with him tomorrow, but I miss him, especially after the way we were dancing last night, and being close to him again.
    I close my eyes before take off and drift into a dream about Tyler.
    The jolt of landing in Columbia wakes me up. I sit up abruptly and wipe the sleep from my eyes. Paige dozed off too, but she’s wide awake now. Dante is waiting for her, ready to take her home. I feel a small pang of jealousy again, but remind myself I have my own hot man coming to see me tomorrow.
    We work our way through the small airport and pass the security gate to the common area. Paige sees Dante and screams, running toward him. Dante is tall and gorgeous. His long brown hair hangs into his eyes, but his incredible build convinces you he will always be there to protect you. Dante attracts the attention of every woman within sight of him, but his sea green eyes are only for Paige.
    Paige drops her bags at his feet just before she leaps into his arms. Dante catches her easily and swallows her in a kiss. His hands cup her ass and he holds her tight to him, both of them lost completely in the other.
    I walk up to them, not wanting to interrupt, but they are giving me a ride home. They break apart as I approach and Dante sets Paige down. He keeps his arm around her shoulders and her pressed to his side. He leans toward me and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Thanks for taking such good care of my sweetheart,” he tells me.
    Paige and I exchange a look and I tell Dante, “She took care of me is more like it.”
    Paige smiles as Dante looks between us. He shrugs his shoulders and turns toward baggage claim carrying Paige’s bags. When our luggage comes out, we pile into Dante’s SUV and he drives me back to my apartment.
    Before I climb out, I thank Dante for everything and tell him we had a wonderful time. He says it was his pleasure and winks at Paige. She opens her door to get out and hug me. I thank her for everything over the past week and she tells me to call her, any time. I agree and turn to my apartment.
    I climb the stairs heaving my bags behind me. Even though I’ll miss Tyler tonight, I know a nice quiet night is what I need. I’m worn out and could use some extra sleep.
    I push open the door to my floor and turn toward my place, at the end of the hall. My heart stops when I see Tyler, slumped over against my door. I rush down the midnight blue carpeted hall and pause in front of my grey door. I watch him sleeping, wondering how he could possibly be comfortable, and how he got here.
    I lean down and touch his shoulder, softly saying his name. He stirs and opens his eyes, flashing a sleepy smile when he sees me. “You look like an angel,” he says, his voice still thick with sleep.
    I smile at him and ask if he’d like to come inside. He struggles to his feet and pulls me into a kiss before we go