Breathe by Kristy Kay Page B

for his friend that much was very clear even if he was speaking harshly. He saw me looking at him. “I will have Mark take you and the kids back to the hotel Kathryn, in the other SUV.”
    “I will ride with them Joey, you go on ahead with Cora and the kids. I don’t want you all waiting and getting rained on.”
    “Are you sure, mate?”
    “Yes. You go ahead. I will see Kathryn to the hotel, and I will head to the house after.” Joey stood still, looking down at his friend for a few more minutes, then grabbed the hamper and blankets before heading to where the cars were parked. He hesitated one more time but I waved him on. He nodded to me then climbed in with his family and the car pulled away.
    Tyler and Lily were sitting in the grass not too far from where we were leaning against the tree arguing about something as always and I sighed. Leaning my own head back against the rough bark of the tree behind me.
    “Just let me know when you are ready Daniel. Me and Tyler can help you stand if you need us to.” He chuckled softly then turned his head slightly to look at me.
    “I am fine, woman. Just a little pain is all.” He glanced up at the darkening sky and cursed. “We need to get moving though if we don’t want to get wet.” He used the tree to push himself up until he was standing, taking deep breaths to steady himself as he did. Tyler went to one side and I was at the other side, just in case he needed us but he stood up straight and led us to the where the black SUV we had arrived in was waiting. Daniel helped Tyler and Lily into the back then turned to me. He held his hand out like he had done before, but I ducked my head and climbed in without any help, trying to avoid the sparks that seemed to flow between us.
    (Daniel)
    I stood by the door for a minute. Feeling unsure of myself for the first time in a very long time. Kathryn was like no other woman I had ever known, and I wanted to know her more. I wasn’t sure if that was something she wanted however. There seemed to be something holding her back. I breathed deeply then climbed slowly into the car beside her, and Mark, our driver pulled into the Paris traffic just as the first raindrops fell. I glanced behind us at Tyler and Lily who were talking quietly to each other about whatever it is that siblings talk about. So I turned back to the woman sitting beside me.
    “Kathryn, can I take you to dinner tomorrow night?” Her brown eyes flew to mine.
    “Why?”
    “Well normally a man who finds a woman attractive and wants to get to know her better tries to spend some time with her. I guess that is what I am attempting.”
    “Um... I don’t know Daniel.” She glanced back at her kids. “You don’t have to pretend to want to see me. There has to be plenty of other women you would rather have dinner with.” She bit her bottom lip again and turned to look out the window, her agitation very obvious.
    “Come on Kathryn, I would like to take you to dinner. I am not asking for anything else. You are the only woman I want to have dinner with. Just come and eat with me somewhere.” I cringed at the pleading note I heard in my voice but I really wanted this woman and I had never had to work so hard for a woman to say yes.
    Finally she turned back to me and gave me a small nod. I grinned at her and she just shook her head, smiling shyly before turning back to the window. I watched her for another minute before I allowed my head to fall back against the headrest. What I had told her was the truth, I had had several worse bumps then this one but damn my head felt like a ripe watermelon that had been hit by a sledgehammer. Why in the world did I think I could still skateboard like that? Because you are a show-off, trying to impress a woman like a damn teenager, which you are clearly not. I growled silently at that annoying voice in my head. Enjoying the murmur of the kids in the back seat, the sound of rain against the roof of the SUV, and the smell of apples