Free Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series Book 2 by Ivy Alexander Page A

sat down next to her on the floor and took the picture, handling it with care. “She was very beautiful. You look a lot like her.”
    Annie nodded, “That’s what people say.”
    “When was this taken?”
    “About a year and a half before she died; before she got really sick. She actually looks really good in this one. In some of the later ones, after chemo and stuff, she looks much older.” Annie took the picture and tucked it back into the pocket of her bag.
    “It’s a nice picture,” Marcus said softly.
    Annie nodded but didn’t dare talk, suddenly feeling the emotion rise. She got up quickly and went to the bed, busying herself with fluffing pillows and turning down the comforter. She couldn’t cry – she was an ugly crier. She definitely didn’t want Marcus to see it; didn’t want to open those gates. Then she felt him behind her and stilled as his hands touched her shoulders.
    “I’m so sorry,” she said with a scratchy voice. “I don’t know why I’m so emotional.” She moved to wipe at the tear that had fallen but Marcus stopped her. He sat down on the bed and motioned for her to sit next to him.
    He gently wiped the tear from her face. “You should never be sorry for feeling the loss of something so great. She is your mother, and you don’t get over that fact.” He brushed another tear as it slid down her face.
    “I just can’t believe how strong some of these feelings are even after all these years.” Annie’s voice sounded strange to her own ears.
    “I told you Annie, time doesn’t make the pain of losing someone less. You just get better at dealing with it.”
    Annie nodded. “That makes sense.” There was a pause and Annie looked into Marcus’ eyes. “I’m not going to ask you because I know it’s your business, but I know the only way you can understand loss is by going through it yourself. I know that you’ve lost someone that was very dear to you…” She paused and saw the flash of pain in his eyes as he swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry; so sorry for your loss.”
    Marcus looked at her for several heartbeats, their eyes locked as she hoped he felt how much she truly meant what she said. Leaning in, he kissed her lips softly and then wrapped his strong arms around her, hugging her tightly. It felt so good that Annie never wanted him to let go. After several minutes he pulled back. “We better get you in bed, you’re tired.” He stepped away from her and the two of them got into the warm blankets. Marcus turned the lamp off and the room went dark.
    Annie lay in bed, not able to stop the tears as they silently fell down the sides of her face. She stared at the ceiling in the darkness, wondering why life had to be so cruel. Why she had to lose her mother and father. Why Marcus had to lose, whomever he did. Why death had to be a part of life. She thought of the emotions she went through when her mother passed; the times when Annie felt she couldn’t breathe, how the pain would engulf her entire being, smothering her in blackness and despair. She hated how alone she had felt at those times, how there wasn’t a soul in the world that could ease her pain. She thought of Zack, and how even though she knew he was going through the same thing, how she never felt like she could break down and tell him exactly how she felt, that somehow it would be selfish of her. Her thoughts then turned to Aunt Gabby. She had been their one source of comfort, telling them they needed to cry, to get their feelings out. But even after all this time, even after all the talking and crying they did, there were still those times when Annie wondered, why? And there was not one person on the earth that could give her an answer. Those were the days when she felt the most alone.
    Impulsively Annie reached her hand across the bed and felt Marcus’ arm. She scooted closer to him and he didn’t pull away. She laid her head on his chest as he put his arm around her. She inhaled the smell of his t-shirt and