Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,101

if you can really call us an us. He hasn’t said anything, and I don’t want to spoil the moments we have together.”

Jessie shakes her head. “It sounds to me like you both feel the same way, but you are both too afraid of taking the risk and admitting the truth to each other. You and I both saw the way he reacted at the bar last night. It’s like crazy love. He lives and breathes for you love. Can’t you see it?”

“I don’t know. Like I said, I just don’t want to spoil it. I’m happy as we are, and I don’t want to ruin any time we spend together by using a few choice words.”

Jessie gives me an exasperated look. “I love you, but you can be so pigheaded at times. I don’t know whether to hug you or smack you. And don’t look at me like that. You know it’s true.” I close my mouth and speak no further. I don’t want to argue with her. “Anyway, changing the subject, what did the agent want?”

I tell her that he basically repeated what he’d said last night. As I talk, I notice Michael being called into the room for testing. “Oh, Jessie. I feel so bad about this. It’s all my fault that this is happening.”

Jessie grabs my hand. “You can’t think like that. If everyone here is innocent, then they won’t mind. If they do, then they are obviously hiding something.”

I squeeze her hand back. “What would I do without you?”

She flicks her hair away from her face. “To be perfectly honest, I really don’t know.” She gives me a wink and a cheeky grin.

“Thank you for being such a good friend,” I smile.

I notice Jessie’s eyes slightly glisten. “Don’t mention it.” She inhales sharply, obviously trying to control her emotions. “Okay, let’s get back to work.” She turns away from me, ending our little moment. I smile to myself as I turn back towards my desk.

I try my hardest to concentrate on what’s in front of me, but it’s so hard when I know that every time someone’s name is called, they probably secretly hate me because of it. I’m the reason for all of this trouble after all. Everyone must know that by now—even if no one has said anything yet. They must have been given some sort of explanation as to why they’re doing all of this, and the people around here are not stupid. I bury myself in my work and block out what’s going on around me, but it proves to be a futile effort.

When it gets close to lunchtime, a hand flies in front of my face. I look up to find Michael standing there. I frown at him. “Come with me for a coffee, please.” I take his hand, but I feel nervous. Does he want to shout at me?

We get into the small kitchen room where Michael grabs me a mug and pours a coffee for me. I wait for the barrage of words to come flying from his mouth, but he seems calm.

Once he’s poured, he turns to me. “Are you okay? You don’t look yourself. I thought I had better take you from your desk for five minutes just to give you a breather.”

He hands me the coffee, and I thank him, a little relieved. “It all seems a bit overwhelming, to be honest. I feel like this is my fault, I’m worried that everyone will hate me for it. I don’t know. I just feel bad, that’s all.” Michael comes towards me and offers me a hug. I smile, accepting his offer of affection, noticing just how good he smells as I snuggle my head to his chest.

“No one hates you, okay? Everyone is just so keen to nail the son of a bitch that if it takes us all having a strand of hair plucked from our heads, then that’s the way it has to be. You can’t feel bad about this.” I nod my head on his chest, trying to wipe the tear that’s escaped.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Michael and I both jump when we look to see Jake standing in the doorway. He spots how upset I am, and anger quickly fades to worry. “What’s the matter? Has someone said something?” He gives Michael an evil look before rushing over to give me a hug.

“Ana’s just upset that’s all. She thinks people hate her because of what’s happening today. I just tried to tell