A Perfect Chance Read Online Free PDF

“everything” was pushing it, but I had my own emotional crap and a head full of shit to deal with. Mace was drowning in his own darkness. I knew it so well that it was impossible not to recognise. If I delved deeper, I may find a kindred spirit. I knew enough about my own sanity to know that he wouldn't be healthy for me. I was too broken and trying desperately to repair myself. There was no room in my life for more pain.
    Despite the onslaught of sensibility, my hand remained firmly connected to his. Without a word, he tugged lightly and ushered me towards his office. I barely registered the driver door opening and closing, and footfalls following us closely. Nor did I falter when I crossed over the threshold hand in hand with Mace.
    I took in my surroundings. Warmth pressed against my palm and travelled up my arm, maintaining my quiet mind. There was nothing out of place from the footage or photographs, and I found myself grinning when I looked at what was to be my desk, complete with stacked paperwork that teetered on the edge of collapse.
    Mace led me through to his office space, and I reached out and touched different items and pieces of furniture as I passed; his chair, his desk, the computer screen. I paused when I came across a frame on his desk I didn't recognise.
    Mace stopped and reached around me, his hand not releasing mine. He picked up the frame. "This is Abi, my beautiful niece." I didn't need to look at him to know he wore a smile of affection. The warmth in his voice was pure and real. I glanced up at him anyway, unable to pass up the opportunity to see another smile. I wasn't disappointed.
    Looking between the frame and me, he handed me the photo. Mace held a cute baby girl, not more than a few months old. She was fast asleep, her cheek resting against his shoulder. Mace was peering down at her, his lips pressed reverently against her head. If there was ever a photograph that was able to capture a moment of love, this was it. It blew my reaction to his smile out of the water. That precious image showed me something I wouldn’t have thought I would ever witness with Mace. He was at peace. There was no haunted look visible, no stress tightening his eyes.
    "It's beautiful," I whispered. "You're beautiful." I froze, realising what had fallen from my mouth. Before I had the chance to screw it up any more and feebly attempt to backtrack, Diesel called out to us from the reception area.
    "You guys good in there?"
    I hadn't even realised Diesel wasn't in the same room as us. A double whammy of relief hit me. He hadn't heard my mouth fart, plus he gave me a reason to ignore my blunder and head out of the room. I placed the frame on Mace's desk and released his hand, heading for the safety of my brother. While I felt the loss of our connection, my humiliation drove me forward.
    Diesel looked at me closely and lifted a brow. I offered a tight smile. "What's wrong?" he asked. I knew my cheeks burned brightly.
    "Just excited," I covered, "and surprisingly not overwhelmed." I spoke the truth, my smile loosening and lips tipping fully and honestly. I looked at Janie when she stepped towards me, her grin mirroring my own. Her plan to help ease my way into this role had surprised the hell out of me. It was working. I wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you," I whispered. I wasn't cured. There was no magic fix, but being able to stand tall, not collapsing and panicking even after my verbal diarrhoea was a huge win.
    Hugging me back, Janie kissed my cheek before stepping back. "How about you take a seat in your chair at your new desk? We'll step outside while Mace heads into his office. How do you feel about fifteen minutes to familiarise yourself with your space?"
    I nodded. I could do fifteen minutes. This space would be another safe place. I was determined to make it work. "Okay." I nodded.
    Janie ushered a hesitant Diesel out the front door after I offered him a reassuring smile. I made my way to my desk and sat down,