Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (80 page)

“Who’s that?” Nathan sings.

“A friend,” I reply.

“What friend?” Nathan challenges. “You’re talking to two out of three of your friends right now, and I know it’s not Maggie.”

“Ouch, that hurts,” I feign sadness. I pick up the phone and answer it, wanting to see their reaction. “Hey, cutie!”

“Hey, sexy! Saw you on the news and I had to call,” Javier reveals. “I would have called sooner, but I’ve been working long days none stop.”

“It’s so great to hear from you,” I say.

“Who is it?” Nathan and Jared shout through the video on my computer.

“Who’s that?” Javier checks.

“It’s my friends Jared and Nathan,” I inform. “Remember, I told you about them.”

Javier giggles while Jared and Nathan eye me.

“Why don’t I put you on video chat,” I instruct to Javier. “So everyone can meet.”

Jared and Nathan beam with excitement.

When I flip the phone around, Javier greets Jared and Nathan and they gape in wonder.

“What the . . .” Nathan begins before Jared jabs him.

“Hello, boys,” Javier greets. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Emma told me so much about you.”

“Why the hell does he have your number?” Nathan questions.

I laugh as I see the realization register in Jared’s face.

“Good one,
Kitten
,” Jared commends.

“Thanks,” I accept.

“What are you talking about?” Nathan questions.

Javier chuckles, “Emma set you up, boys. I’m gay.”

“What?!” Nathan breathes out. “Damn. Why didn’t you tell us?”

“It was more fun stringing you along,” I confess.

“I’ll let you go, Emma,” Javier informs. “We’ll chat later. Definitely call me when you are all back in Vegas, okay?”

“Sure,” I agree.

Jared and Nathan nod and stare at me blankly once I hang up the phone.

“Oh,” I begin. “And, Maggie knew he was gay.”

“What!” they shout at the same time.

“She’s gotten good,” Jared declares.

“We’ll be watching you two more closely,” Nathan attests.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I say.

The three of us hang up and I decide to make dinner.

Joe calls several times, and I finally pick up. “What?”

“What’s wrong?” Joe questions.

“Don’t play coy with me,” I challenge. “Jared told me about the Teslas.”

“They’re for your safety,” he claims. “It’s clearly not safe for you to take the train or any form of public transportation.”

“I have bodyguards,” I present.

“They can only do so much when there are that many people, Emma,” Joe replies.

“You could have talked to me about it rather that sneak around with Jared like that,” I charge.

“We weren’t sure you’d agree,” Joe states. “So, we did it just in case.”

“Not cool,” I return.

“I’m sorry, beautiful,” Joe says sincerely.

“B.O.B. would never sneak around my back,” I press a little more playfully than I want.

“I get it,” Joe claims. “I deserved that.”

“Damn right,” I throw back. “You’ll be lucky if you get any from here on out.”

“Emma?” Joe pleas.

“No,” I reply.

“We still have to try bunny style,” he mentions.

I pause for a second, not sure how I want to respond. “Don’t use that against me.”

“Emma?” he calls sweetly.

“Don’t Emma, me,” I answer.

“How about I come by tomorrow?” Joe checks. “And, make it up to you? Any way you’d like.”

“Busy,” I contend.

“Come on, beautiful,” he begs.

“No.”

“
Bunny style
?” Joe reminds.

I’m momentarily speechless. “No,” I finally object.

“Beautiful,” he coaxes.

“It’s better we don’t,” I state calmly. “With Jared and Nathan now knowing about Javier, and the bodyguards . . . .”

He cuts me off, “Emma.”

I don’t say anything.

“What if I come over anyway?” he peruses.

“I won’t open the door,” I say, hating that I’m uttering the words as soon as they escape my lips.

“Beautiful,” he tempts.

“I’ve got to go,” I redirect. “Goodnight.” My finger quickly hits the button to hang up, knowing that I’ll agree if I give him any more opportunity to present his case.

Even though Jared and Joe come over the next day before my cars arrive, I keep myself at a distance from both of them. Jared sees the tension building in me from everything that is going on — if he only knew about the things I’m not telling him.

I stay hidden in my apartment all weekend, only going out to take Sadie for a walk a few times a day. My friends don’t press, but they do check in on me once or twice a day by phone or video chat. With the extended solitude and driving myself crazy by being a hermit, I conclude that Jared and I need to present our statement this week and schedule to meet up in Santa Monica.

I go back and forth in my head with what to say, how to say it and how much I’m willing to say. I’m not interested in disclosing much, but I do know that I need to end the speculations of a relationship between Chris and myself for all of this focus on me to go away.

The Naturally Me team joins us around two in the afternoon to start setting up. Once we decide on where to sit for the video, Pop-Pop walks in with his lady friend who also brought food for every.

“Hi, Pop-Pop,” I sing, jumping off the chair.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he greets. “Looks like you’re in good spirits today.”

“Not really,” I admit, taking a bag from his arms to help. “But, having you here makes a difference.”

“You are too sweet,” he comments after putting down the rest of the bags. “Emma, this is Joanna.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Joanna,” I say, shaking her hand.

“Likewise,” she replies. “Aaron has told me so much about all of you.”

“I hope it’s all been good,” I tease.

“Of course,” she confirms.

“There wouldn't be anything else,” Pop-Pop mentions.

“You haven’t been with us long enough, Pop-Pop,” I say.

Pop-Pop and Joanna laugh.

The three of us sit down at the dining table and chat with Jared and Nathan once we get everything set for everyone to eat.

Joanna has a beautiful personality that is vibrant and energetic, much younger than her years. While talking, I learn that Joanna has been a yoga teacher for quite a while now, a hobby turned profession not long after her late husband had passed. We all agree to join her class tomorrow morning.

“Why don’t you tell Emma your idea, Pop-Pop,” Jared recommends.

“What idea?” I search.

“We wanted to make sure you like and approved it to add to Naturally Me,” Pop-Pop informs.

“You don’t need my permission, Jared,” I remind. “You own half the company.”

“I know,” he confirms. “But, I wanted to hear your thoughts.”

“Okay. So what is it?” I explore.

Pop-Pop beams with excitement and I can’t help but return the energy. “I was thinking,” he begins. “I know you just added a pet section, but I thought we could add a seniors section. You know, for people my age and older.”

“That’s a brilliant idea,” I commend.

“That’s what I told him,” Joanna adds, kissing him on the cheek.

With a grin, I ask, “You sure you’re ready for being in front of the camera?”

“Yes,” Pop-Pop replies instantly.

“He’s a ham,” Jared comments. “They’ll love him.”

“Definitely,” I agree.

“Maybe we should humor the idea of adding a woman like Joanna too,” I suggest. “Have a senior male and female perspective.”

“That’s a great idea,” Pop-Pop answers.

“I couldn’t,” rebuts Joanna. “I don’t want to impose.”

“Why not?” I ask.

“Yeah,” Jared adds. “It would be perfect.”

After a little coaxing, Joanna agrees to slowly integrate into the company. I think she’s a little nervous about being in front of the camera. We can ease her in, having her start with writing blog topics while letting her get a feel for it when Jared and Pop-Pop film.

The atmosphere at Nathan’s feels heavy for me as time inches closer to our announcement. As much as I want to get this whole thing over with, the minutes tick by painstakingly slow. Pop-Pop tries to spread his cheeriness to me, but it doesn’t last long. The overarching feeling inside me is dread mixed with irritation at the fact that I even need to do this. I honestly didn’t expect the news to make such outlandish comments and speculations.

As six o’clock rolls around, Jared and I get seated in front of the cameras. Two minutes before go time, the camera’s are turned on, but the sound is muted, allowing everyone watching our live stream on Youtube to see us. Sadie sits between my legs with her back to me. My hand eagerly pets her to help suffice the temptation to bounce my legs and to hide my sweaty palms.

I avoid looking at the camera and my eyes scan the faces of my family watching us with excited anticipation. Nathan jumps over, fixing my hair and Jared’s shirt two seconds before Ian signals the countdown for the sound to be switched on and for us to begin.

“Good evening,” Jared greets the unseen audience. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Jared and the lovely lady sitting next to me is Emma, and we’re from Naturally Me.”

My eyes stay fixed on the camera with our usual routine kicking into gear despite the current topic for our video. From the corner of my gaze, I see Pop-Pop, Nathan and Joanna smiling encouragingly. Nathan holds up a notepad with writing on it that says two point four million viewers followed by a plus sign. Jared and the social media team have been posting since early this morning about our live video announcement. Hearing the numbers eases me a little, I actually expected many more.

“A number of comments and questions have flooded our email inbox . . . and, we will be answering a few of them. To start,” Jared begins. “We would like to thank you for all of the love and support from those of you who have been contacting us. We are doing our best to respond in a timely fashion to each of you in the order your messages have been received.”

I smile and nod confirmation.

“First things first,” Jared continues. “Yes, I am gay, and yes, I am happily in love with Nathan.”

My attention is drawn to Jared’s statement and I can’t help but smile wider at his announcement. I’m so proud of him for admitting his love for Nathan to the world. A giggle escapes my lips when Nathan bounces over to our side of the room, popping into the line of sight of the camera behind Jared and me. Nathan wraps his arms around Jared, kisses him on the cheek and beams at the audience. Just before he pops out of view, Nathan kisses me on the cheek as well.

Jared takes my hand in his prior to speaking again. “Emma is the brains behind Naturally Me and I’ve been proudly helping her not long after she started. For those of you who were wondering . . . Sadie is real,” he pets Sadie’s head. “And, has been a part of our family for many years.” Jared has to stop talking for a moment since Sadie turns her attention to him, putting her front paws up on his lap, demanding some affection.

“At this time,” Jared mentions. “We are grateful for all of the inquiries and interview requests, but we are respectfully declining all offers right now. The goal of our company is to focus on our audience and their questions and needs, wanting to stay true to our mission.”

“One of the ways in which we are focusing on continuing to meet your needs,” I speak up. “Is by our recent decision to include a senior’s section to Naturally Me.” I pause for a second. “Pop-Pop, why don’t you join us.”

Jared and I rearrange ourselves, adding in an extra chair for Pop-Pop to sit. When I look back up at the cameras, I see Nathan holding up the notepad again. It says four point six million viewers followed by a plus sign.

“Pop-Pop will be the head of the senior department and we will hopefully be including a senior woman’s perspective as well,” I comment with a smile directed toward Joanna.

“I would just like to say,” Pop-Pop begins. “That I’m very proud of my grandson.” Pop-Pop reaches his arm around Jared and kisses him on the cheek. “I’m proud of the man he is and the man he is becoming every day.”

Tears form in Jared’s eyes and I do my best to fight them off also.

“And, I’m happy to be in his life and be a part of this beautiful company that Emma and he have created,” Pop-Pop adds. He takes my hand in his and kisses it. “Emma. I’m very proud of you too.”

“Thank you, Pop-Pop,” I reply, wiping a tear from the corner of my right eye.

“And, I’m very proud of Nathan, who hopefully will be my grandson-in-law sometime in the near future.”

We all laugh.

I know Pop-Pop means what he says about Nathan. Since he’s been with us, getting to know all of us, Pop-Pop has told me several times how proud he is to see Jared happy. Pop-Pop has even told me that he can’t picture anyone else with Jared — Nathan and he fit each other perfectly in so many ways, and I completely agree.

“Nathan,” Jared calls. “Why don’t you join us.”

Nathan places a seat behind Jared and me.

“Why don’t you go from here, babe,” Jared instructs.

Nathan smiles and takes his turn. “Nathaniel’s will be closed for a few months while we finalize some business with a few department store chains who will be offering some of my collection in their stores. Nordstrom’s will be the first to release a few men’s and women’s pieces next week and there will be an official Chris and Emma line that will have its own fashion show in New York at the end of January.”

I offer a half pressed smile at his announcement, doing my best to not show my contention.

“As of right now, Nathaniel’s will remain where it is, but we will update you with any changes,” Nathan concludes.

“You might want to mention about Emma’s dress and all,” suggests Pop-Pop.

“Oh, that’s right,” Nathan acknowledges. “We will be hosting a private event, invitation only at first, exhibiting the dress that Emma wore and the other eight pieces that were on the red carpet at the premier. There will also be a mini fashion show that will including some new pieces. Then, there will be an open to the public event that will be hosted at Nathaniel’s soon afterward. We will post any and all news about it on our website and social media to keep you updated.”

“Well,” Jared comments. “I guess we should have our special guest join us for this next part.” He looks to me and I smile and nod.

The four of us move around again, getting another chair positioned directly next to me, but leave it empty.

“There have been a number of rumors and speculations going around the internet about Emma and Chris . . .” Jared begins, stringing out the words a little on purpose for dramatic effect. “And, well . . . I think it would be best for you to hear it directly from them.”

Chris takes several steps toward me and sits down in the empty chair.

“Chris . . . Emma,” Jared says. “Go ahead.”

Ian holds up a notepad with writing on it that says eight point nine million viewers followed by a plus sign.

Chris leans in, kissing me on the cheek and then drapes his arm around the back of my chair. “Well . . . I guess we should just come out with it, Emma.” Chris bates with a smug smile.

I nervously giggle, not sure if he’s going to tell the truth or if he is, not sure how he’s going to do it.

“Everyone,” Chris says, looking to the camera and then back to me. “Emma and I . . . are in fact . . . .” Chris purposefully doesn’t say anything.

Panic rises inside me as sweat beads on the back of my neck.

“
Not
dating,” he concludes after what feels like at least a minute.

Jared, Nathan and Pop-Pop laugh at Chris’ little show.

“I will admit,” Chris begins. “I did try. She’s a beautiful woman. What man wouldn’t?”

I smile genuine gratitude and appreciation for how he’s handling this — like a gentleman.

“That, you did,” Nathan chuckles.

My head nods in agreement. “Chris is a wonderful guy, ladies. Don’t get me wrong,” I mention. “But, I’m not the right woman for him. We’re just friends.”

“We are friends,” Chris repeats, tugging at my shoulder. “Sadly, I’m not the right guy for her.” Chris looks to the camera. “And, to the one who does capture her heart,
wherever
he may be . . . congratulations.” Chris looks back to me. “You’re a very . . . lucky . . . man.”

Sweat gathers in my palms at Chris’ last statement. Too many emotions tornado through me and none of them are for him — what is happening to me?

“So,” Jared jumps in. “I think that’s about it with what we’re willing to share for right now.” He looks to everyone and we all nod our approval. “With that said . . . thank you for all of your questions and comments. Thank you for your love and support, and thank you for joining us tonight! We’ll see you soon.”

“Goodbye,” the four of them say several times, overlapping on occasion and waving to the camera.

“See you next time,” I bid, waving also.

As soon as the cameras are off, all of our phones are buzzing from our friends trying to reach us. Maggie and Henry are calling Jared, Joe is calling me, Denise is calling Nathan and Chris’ agent is calling him. We get a final viewer count of nine point one million viewers watching our live stream.

The video views continue to escalate into the night and the main news channels are already featuring and commenting on our statements as we turn on the television and every computer around us.

For the rest of the night, after Chris and the crew leave, my family and I entertain ourselves with drinks and games into the evening. I stay the night, wanting to hide from the world for a few more hours. When I slip under the covers for bed, I push the button to video chat with Joe. He answers quickly, excited to finally see me. He commends me and the group on how we handled the subjects and apologizes again about sneaking around with Jared to purchase cars for me. He updates me on the facility and asks when I’ll be home. Joe perks up when I inform him that I’ll be returning to Pasadena tomorrow and will be going to Maggie’s and Henry’s for a barbecue on Saturday.