Breathe Again Read Online Free PDF Page A

parents. Thank god Uncle Lucas will be around.” I heard a shuffle of feet and chanced a look around the door to find Savannah locked in a hug with Lucas.
    “Did my makeup run?” Sav asked in a quiet voice.
    “You look gorgeous. Now let’s go and eat pizza.”
    Rushing back to the living room, I collapsed on the couch and fidgeted with the beer bottle that was now warm. Tanzi and Jack both looked up when the sound of the glass door leading to the balcony slid open. My eyes finally looked at Sav and my heart pounded in my chest. Her eyes were glassy and anyone could tell she had been crying. Sav glanced around the room as hesitation rolled within her and she reluctantly sat on the only vacant seat in the room—the couch beside me—her eyes never finding mine. Lucas took a seat across from me and offered a weak smile. For someone I despised for so long, he had now somehow become a needed support.
    “We ordered your favorite pizza,” I said softly, daring to attempt to start a conversation. All she did was nod.
    Chattering filled my ears and the smell of pizza caressed my senses. The conversation I overheard between Sav and Lucas had struck a part of my heart, and I desperately wanted to talk about it. I needed to talk about it, but at this rate, I was barely getting one word out of her.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Sav began eating slice after slice of pizza. I zoned into the conversation around me, listening as Lucas talked about work, Jack talked about his recent shifts at Red Velvet, and Tanzi talked about the new neighbors who had decided that sex in public places was a prerequisite of living in the building.
    “You inhaled that, Sav!” Jack laughed, throwing his crust towards her.
    “I am eating for two, you know. I’ve gotta feed this little one.” Sav patted her protruding stomach before grabbing for another slice. “This is the one time I can eat whatever the hell I want. I will deal with the consequences later.”
    “Let go have birthday shots before we go to Red Velvet,” Lucas announced. Tanzi and Jack hollered a resounding, “Yes!” before the three of them rushed to the kitchen, leaving Sav and me in an uncomfortable silence. My phone buzzed on my lap and I saw that it was Mom. As soon as I said hello, Mom went into a spiel about having to find out that Savannah was back in Los Angeles from Tanzi and then the questions about Jellybean started.
    “Yes, she is. Jellybean is fine. Savannah is great.” At the sound of her name, Sav’s questioning gaze found me. “Sure. Okay. Hang on.”
    With a deep breath, I turned and handed Sav my phone.
    “It’s Mom. She wants to talk to you.”
    Sav nodded and began speaking softly to Mom. I couldn’t help but smile as I heard Sav answer Mom’s questions. I could only imagine what she was being asked. The words morning sickness, cravings, and baby clothes floated through the air. The first thing I noticed was Sav’s eyes glistening before hearing her voice crack. My need to comfort her was so strong, but I remained still. I couldn’t risk pushing her further away. Her green eyes found mine and the softness that fired back at me made my heart finally start beating again. When the call finished, Sav handed me my phone, a small smile covering her lips.
    “Shit!” Sav suddenly cried out, her hand flying down to her stomach.
    Fear swept through me. “What’s wrong?” I begged, my eyes wide.
    My eyes shot a look of distress between her eyes and her stomach as I tried to work out what was happening. Hesitation flickered over her face as if she were questioning her next move. In one swift movement, I turned to face her, crossing my legs under my body.
    “Your baby is very active and decided to kick.” Massaging her stomach seemed to be the only way to calm down Jellybean’s recently acquired athletic skills.
    “Does Jellybean move a lot?” I asked, unable to hide the sadness I felt of not yet being able to feel my baby move.
    “We have