Moments (Breath of Life Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

under her arm.
     
    "Thanks," Duke watched her walk away once more.
     
    Looking down, he pulled out his phone. As much as he was trying to clear his mind, he couldn't. Jennah reminded him of Ella, of what he lost. What he lost reminded him that Paxton held that information from him. If he were going to take the high road, he would need to rewire his thinking so he could actually tolerate looking at Paxton or even being around her. Why did he have to pick the one restaurant that Jennah worked at? He could have gone somewhere else, but he didn't. His wandering led him here and here he would stay. He rubbed his hand where Jennah touched it. The tingling sensation was long gone now, but he wanted to feel it again. It was like a breath of fresh air.
     
    "Duke?"
     
    Duke looked up and saw Jack and Paxton standing at his table. The hostess was apparently leading them to their own table but they stopped following her. "Hey Jack."
     
    "How's it going?"
     
    "I've been better but you know that, don't you Paxton?"
     
    They stood silently there. Duke took another look at the hostess and gestured for her to come over. "They can join me if they want," he told the hostess. He saw the quick, non-verbal discussion going on between Paxton and Jack. When they seemed to make up their mind, Jack smiled over at the hostess, "We'll join him."
     
    Duke gestured to the other side of the empty table. He saw Paxton look over at Jack, probably thinking that it may not be a good idea but it was too late for them to change their minds. They took their seats across from him and the hostess waited for them to get settled before handing them their menus. "I will get your server over here to get you two drinks."
     
    "I just ordered, but I'm sure they can hold my food until yours is ready," Duke filled the awkward silence.
     
    Jennah showed up moments later to take their drink orders. Paxton and Jack already knew what they wanted as well so they put their food order in at the same time. Duke didn't look at Jennah but he saw the lingering looks from both Jack and Paxton. They must see the resemblance to Ella as well. When Jennah left, they both stared at him. They were probably wondering if Jennah was the reason he came here to eat, it wasn't, but they didn't know that. A million questions must be running through their heads, but both knew better than to ask him about it.
     
    "So what's going on?" Paxton's voice was quiet, but to the point. She hid her hands below the table. Duke noticed she looked a little nervous about sitting there with him.
     
    "Look," Duke started. "I know I haven't been the easiest person to get along with lately. I've been unfair to you both."
     
    "Duke, an apology isn't necess-" Jack tried interrupting.
     
    "Jack, I need to apologize. I've been a douche over the last couple of months and I said some harsh things to Paxton yesterday. She was there at the cemetery when I was there, we got into it." Duke saw Jack look over at Paxton to see if this was true. "Paxton, nothing I said to you yesterday was fair. It was cruel and I lashed out at you. It was unfair and I'm sorry. It shouldn't have been said."
     
    "You have every right to be mad at me," Paxton held her hand up to Duke as he tried to interrupt her this time. "I understand that you feel I betrayed you. I get it. You were only reacting to the situation that I put you in. I'm sorry, but you don't need to apologize to us. We forgave you for anything you have done since the day I told you the secret. Grief and pain makes us lose who we are. Trust me, I know," she gave a slight smile.
     
    Duke couldn't look at her in the eyes. It wasn't supposed to go like this. He expected them to be angry with him, dish out the anger they felt. Instead they were understanding and didn't hold it against him.
     
    "Yeah man, you're my best friend. You've been there for me since college. We can get through this. I'm sure I would have reacted the same way you did if the situation was reversed.