Breathe Me - C.R. Jane Page 0,29

the Almighty is the phrase on a dollar bill saying ‘In God We Trust.’

That’s about it.

Since Mr. E and Val didn’t blink an eye at my poor table etiquette, I start blowing on the fork, ready to see what the whole risotto fuss is all about. When I finally have a taste, my lids shut on their own accord, my taste buds dancing in delight, and a loud moan leaves my lips. It’s even more delicious than it smells.

“Eat slowly, kid, or you'll choke,” Val’s dad says teasingly after I burn my tongue on the second forkful, too eager to eat the delicious dish to waste time in cooling it down.

“Sorry. It’s been a while since I’ve tasted something this good.”

“Your parents don’t cook?”

“No, not really. Dad usually eats in the city. He's a big shot lawyer, so he does long hours. And Mom is usually on a liquid diet. Carbs are the enemy, after all.”

Val’s dad's brows furrow into a deep V on the top of his head.

“So they're not expecting you for dinner tonight?”

I let out a chuckle, between mouthfuls.

“My parents don’t expect anything from me, much less my presence. Mom is in Boca on a yoga retreat, and Dad has his big deal cases. No one's expecting me.”

“I see,” Mr. E utters, wiping his chin on his napkin before saying anything else. “Well, you're always invited here for dinner whenever you want. We’d love the extra company. Val and I end up making too much anyway. Isn’t that right, kiddo?” He winks over at Valentina.

The sincere smiles they throw at each other and then back at me make me feel all warm and fuzzy—the feeling turning addictive. So addictive, that I make up my mind to show up tomorrow night for dinner, too. If I have to choose between being stuck in my cold empty house and being here where I’m actually wanted, then I know exactly which choice I’ll be making.

Suddenly, I realize that Val moving to our street has been one of the best things that’s happened to me in a long time. I just hope she doesn’t get sick of me too soon, since I kind of like it here.

Carter

I snap another shot of Quaid's joyful face as he bids Valentina farewell for the tenth time tonight. Everyone always thinks Logan is the smart one in our little trio, but from where I'm standing, Quaid has just enough brains where it counts the most. I let out a chuckle because his puppy dog eagerness is actually working for him. He couldn’t hold out for a couple of hours to spend time with Valentina, let alone a full day.

“Can I blame him?” I utter to myself as I take another picture of her.

No. No I can’t.

I wait for her to close the front door and stay rooted to my spot to see where she goes next. Having her house right next to mine, it’s easy to see her every move. When the light in her bedroom turns on, my heart does a double take. I watch her look around the room, still filled with boxes everywhere. She goes over to one and begins to unpack some books from inside, placing them on the shelf above her desk. I know I should turn around and leave her to her business, but my itching trigger finger just can’t get enough of her sweet face. As she continues on with her task, I take shot after shot of her. I don’t know how much time passes, but it’s enough to fill up my memory card.

I’m about to get a new one, when a light knock on my door stops me.

“Hey,” my brother calls out as he waltzes into the room.

“Hey,” I mutter back, placing the memory card into my laptop but not moving a muscle to turn it on.

One day, Gran is going to let me turn my bathroom into the dark room I’ve been bugging her about, but until then, digital will have to do. She hasn't been able to save enough money for me to renovate the bathroom to my new working station. I told her we could take a bit out of my parents' life insurance payout, but my Gran is insistent that money is used for my college fund. I know I’m too young for her to take me seriously when I tell her I don’t want to go to college. I want to use that money to see the world and capture the