Between Breaths (The Seattle Sound Series Book 2) Read Free

longtime dream is being realized. Who wouldn’t want this all to herself?” I gestured around.
    Asher chuckled, his hazel eyes dancing with mischief. “You hate to clean more than I do.”
    “But not as much as Mason. Think how much easier it’ll be to keep a clean house without the Legos scattered across the living room like tiny IEDs.”
    Lia sighed, leaning back into Asher’s chest. “Those things hurt. I caught one with my heel on the stairs last night. It used to be a propeller.”
    Asher stepped back, his sigh gusty. “I’ll talk to him.”
    He squared his shoulders at the landing, calling Mason’s name.
    “He’s so cute when he’s disciplining,” I said.
    “Mmm.” Lia set her glass of lemonade on the counter. “So what’s this about? You’re restless. And unhappy.”
    I walked to the row of windows at the back of the house, staring at the thick copse of trees, their bright green needles raised to the relentless summer sun.
    “I am. Not just job-wise.”
    I turned back to my sister, thrusting my hands into my pockets. Part of me worried I’d fixated on the idea of disliking journalism once Ken The Asshole planted it in my head.
    “The money’s fine for what I’m doing, especially with my rent-free, hobo lifestyle.”
    “We haven’t talked much about your break from Ken,” she said, her voice careful, her eyes assessing.
    “The Asshole fits him better. You know the worst of it.”
    “He wanted you barefoot and pregnant. He’s pestering you. Is that why you’re still here?”
    A woodpecker drilled its beak into the thick bark of a pine nearby. “I’m relieved our relationship is over. He didn’t love me—not the way Asher loves you. The deep, forever kind. In fact, there were times I had no idea why Ken wanted me. What he saw in me. Except that Rosie liked me, and he seems to like to please his aunt.”
    Lia wrapped her arm around me. I stood inches taller than my big sister. She gripped my waist, her fingers firm on the curve.
    “He wasn’t the right man.”
    I tipped my neck so my cheek rested on her hair. “Figured that one out already.”
    “Once you admit you made a mistake, you’ll forgive yourself.”
    I straightened and narrowed my eyes at Lia. “You think that’s what I’m waiting for? Forgiving myself for getting so deep into a relationship I knew wouldn’t go anywhere?”
    Lia met my gaze, hers steady and patient.
    “Why is that so hard?” I whispered.
    “Because we’re hardest on ourselves.”
    I put my cheek back on top of her crown. “You got smart.”
    “I’ve always been this smart. You just started listening.”
    If I wasn’t feeling so sorry for myself, I would’ve giggled. Lia was much better with words than I’d ever be. That’s why I wrote for newspapers and she wrote best-selling novels.
    “You’re right. I’ve been hiding here. I think I should head back to Seattle soon.”
    Lia pulled back, surprise and concern flashing through her gray eyes faster than mist drifting on an ocean breeze. “If that’s what you want.”
    “I think it’s what I need to do.”
    “I need you to be happy.”
    “Thanks. I’ve got to face up to the life I left at some point. And I miss Rosie.”
    Lia smiled. “Ken’s aunt is the best thing that’ll ever come out of your relationship with him.”
    “I should call her.” I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease the guilt building there. “Soon. We went to lunch when I drove back to Friday Harbor to clean out my desk, but I couldn’t tell her about losing my job and the stunt Ken had pulled. When she asked if we were still seeing each other, I totally chickened out and changed the subject.”
    “Rosie’s the best. She’ll understand. Give her my love when you call her. If you want to go sooner, we can find someone here to look in on the house.”
    “It’s for a weekend, Lia. Not a biggie. And I think I’ll like the solitude. It’ll help me think through some of these decisions I need to make. I can’t