Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (22 page)

“Seriously? Do you guys want to eat or shower first?” Nathan inquires as the good host.

Jared immediately chuckles louder, followed by Nathan once he recognizes how Jared is twisting the meaning. I admit, it is funny, even though it is at Maggie’s and my expense, and I do my best to try and come up with something to chide him, but fall short.

Maggie beats me to the punch and says innocently, “Why don’t we all eat?”

Laughter erupts out of Jared and Nathan. Henry and Joe both are pursing their lips, attempting not to join in. I cover my mouth with my hand.

“What?” Maggie questions, still not getting it.

All four men are roar with laughter as I do my best to refrain my own giggles by biting one of my fingers. Joe and I catch each other’s eye and we both blush. Maggie peers at us quizzically for a moment before the reason for our amusement pops into her head.

Trying to contain a smile, Maggie shouts, “That’s not funny.” She gets up to smack both Nathan and Jared, but they pull her down on top of me.

It’s times like these when I wish it didn’t take Maggie as long to get the joke and inadvertently extend it with her innocence.

Jumping up, Nathan yells, “Ok, we’re eating.”

Everybody giggles at his announcement as he moves into the kitchen. I shift to get up and help him, but Jared wraps his arms and legs around me tighter. Instead of fighting, I give into his affection — I need it. Maggie returns to Henry’s lap and Joe gets up to help Nathan.

Whispering in my ear, Jared checks, “You okay?”

“Mmm hmm,” I hum, curling into him more.

At first glance, if people didn’t know us, they would think that Jared and I are boyfriend and girlfriend.

I continue our conversation in a low voice, “What’s going on with you and Nathan?”

Jared smiles at Nathan’s name and shrugs his shoulders.

“Is it serious?” I mumble.

Jared blushes but doesn’t say anything.

“If it is, I’m happy for you,” I convey. “If it isn’t, I’m happy for you. I just want to see you both happy.”

Kissing me, he breeches the topic, “I know. I love you.”

Snuggling up to him, I reply, “I love you too.”

I’ve always loved to cuddle with Jared. The weird thing is, I’m noticing a difference as well as similarities from this morning with Joe. Knowing this, I now understand that I can’t let Joe in like this. It’s too much. He needs to be kept at a distance.

After breakfast, Maggie and I take care of the dishes while the guys shower. Joe washes up first as Henry attempts to help with cleaning. It’s clear that he’s had other people take care of tasks like this for him, probably all of his life.

I read on the couch as Maggie and Henry make out once we finish tidying up. When Joe comes out, Maggie follows Henry into the bedroom. Pretending to read, I watch Joe go to back into my room and then come back with his book. We discover ourselves looking at each other a couple of times. A few minutes later, Jared and Nathan stroll out and join Joe, Sadie and me on the couch.

“What should we do today?” Nathan inquires trying to be polite.

I give him a sideways glance as I’m sandwiched in the corner of the couch by Jared and him.

“What?” he says confused by my reaction.

“This is typically the sex-capades day for you two couples,” I indicate, pointing at him, Jared and then at the bedroom where Maggie and Henry are hiding.

“She’s right,” Jared confirms.

“Ohh, speaking of sex . . .” Nathan comments with a teasing tone. “I forgot to tell you who called for me at Nathaniel’s yesterday?”

I’m not curious or excited to find out what he has to say, but ask to be polite. “Who?”

“Your friend . . . Chris . . . from Ayana’s,” Nathan whispers, smiling wide and giggles.

I shrug my shoulders. “So.”

“Soooo . . . Denise said he seemed a little flustered when he was leaving his message. He wanted to talk about possibly wearing one of my suits for the next red carpet event, and . . . ” Nathan’s voice trails off looking for a reaction.

“Congrats! That could be really huge for Nathaniel’s!” I comment.

I’m genuinely happy for him and the attention he could get for dressing an A-list actor.

Wise that I was avoiding that he had more to share, Nathan continues anyway, “And . . . .”

Is he actually going there?

“He told me that the next time I spoke to you that he wanted me to say
h
i
,” Nathan wickedly sings, deliberately trying to illicit a response from me.

“Ok.” I shrug again, glancing at Joe with my peripheral vision.

“Ok?” Nathan questions with a little attitude. “Ok . . . not even a
h
i
back for the guy?”

I glare at Nathan.

“Fine. Break the guy’s heart.”

“Stop trying to play matchmaker!” I say with a stern, low voice.

“I’m not. Just seeing . . . .”

“Don’t,” I caution.

He’s trying to see if he can set me up with Chris again or wants to see how I handle the information in front of Joe. I’m onto his ways.

“Don’t worry. I won’t give him your number or anything,” Nathan assures. “Don’t get your panties all in a bunch. I know you’re trying to play it cool with Joe sitting here.”

I shoot Nathan a look that gets a roaring laugh from him.

“Come on,” he playfully teases. “I’m just having a little fun.”

“A little too much fun,” I retort, eyeing him.

“Babe,” Jared quietly interjects.

Leaning his head to the left, Nathan catches Joe’s eyes. “She’s a heartbreaker, this one! Her and her rules.”

I don’t give Nathan the satisfaction of a verbal response and keep my eyes on my book.

“Babe, leave her alone,” Jared commands with a quiet, stern voice.

“What? Okay. Fine,” Nathan replies, trying to sound innocent from his words and actions.

I continue to ignore Nathan as Jared squeezes my hand. Jared knows I’m a big girl and can take care of myself, but I appreciate the sentiment. Jared’s been very protective of me, and I of him, since we met.

My attention stays on my book as Jared and Nathan whisper to each other. Jared starts playing with my hair as Nathan shifts and lays his upper body across Jared’s lap.

“I love you!” Nathan professes in a cutesy voice.

I glance at him for a moment before returning to my book.

“I love you,” he repeats, then bites my thigh.

“Ouch,” I cry. I immediately spring up, jumping on top of him.

Screaming, Nathan calls to Jared, “Help. . . help!”

Nathan and I spar for four seconds until I’ve got him pinned to the floor.

Laughing, Jared stays where he is and insists, “Hell no. You did that yourself.”

Sadie makes her way over to Nathan’s face and starts licking and sniffing him.

Maggie flies through the bedroom door to see what the commotion is about. “What are you two doing?” she scolds.

“It serves him right,” Jared contends. “He started it. She’s going to finish it.”

Everyone stares, muffling snickers.

Breaking the silence, Jared comments, “My bet is on Emma. Anyone think that Nathan has a chance?”

I smile when they all shake their heads. For a little fun, I decide to let Nathan think he’s winning from time to time before returning him to a fully pinned status.

Maggie takes Henry back to the bedroom before Nathan and I are done. Jared turns on the television a minute before Nathan taps out of our match. When I get back to the couch, Jared gives me a high-five just before Nathan turns his playfulness on Jared. Soon after, they are heading to their room.

Before closing the door, Nathan shouts, “Everyone’s on their own for lunch. We’ll figure out dinner later.”

Within five minutes, Joe and I hear noises coming from both rooms. Breaching the subject first, Joe inquires, “How about getting out of here?”

“Sure.”

I immediately regret my agreement, but being stuck in the condo overhearing my friends having sex seems more uncomfortable than being stuck out in public with Joe.

I take Sadie with us when we take to the streets. Conversation strikes back up as we walk around and eventually sit to eat lunch. I’m glad when we’re able to chat about everything and anything except what happened last night, this morning or when Nathan mentioned Chris. There comes a point where laughter floats in and out of our chatting, erasing any of the previous tension.

After lunch, Joe and I venture over to see the Santa Monica Pier. The view of the ocean is refreshing and many of the shops and restaurants are already open. As we walk, I watch women of all ages ogle Joe. It’s hilarious when the women become louder because Joe’s attention on Sadie and me never waivers. Does he see them, but is ignoring them, or is he really oblivious? I stop to use the restroom and when I come out, I see six teenage girls hovering around him. It’s quite comical. Joe appears to be a little uncomfortable, so I stand at a distance watching for fun, but it doesn’t take long for Joe to see me. He gives me a pleading look and I just smile and shake my head. It’s payback time for this morning. Let’s see him get out of this. All of the girls continue talking to him even as he stares at me.

Contemplating on whether to further my observation or walk away to torture him more, I’m jarred when I hear Joe say, “Sorry, ladies. My girlfriend is back.”

They all turn in my direction, following his eyes and gape when they see me grinning.

“She’s your girlfriend?” one of them questions with mild irritation.

Looks like she thought she had a chance. Joe doesn’t answer her because he is in full stride towards me. Crap. What is he doing? I was enjoying the entertainment.

Wanting to avoid any awkwardness, I bend down and pet Sadie as she and Joe approach. When I stand back up, Joe puts his hands on my waist and pulls me into him. I keep my arms hanging as Joe plants a prolonged kiss on my cheek before whispering into my ear, “I know what you are doing.”

Giggling I deny, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” I suddenly find my hands holding his arms just above his elbows and I’m also keenly aware of our bodies touching below the waist.

“Keep that up and I’ll kiss you right here in front of everyone,” he retorts with a devilish voice. He pulls back to examine my reaction.

Even with chaotic emotions swirling inside, I do my best to control my expression. I try to step back, but he gently draws me into him. I’m not sure what has happened to the teenager girls by this point and I don’t care. His head tilts forward like he’s determined to kiss me anyway.

I look away and suggest, “How about a bike ride?”

“Hmmm,” he lets out in disappointment into my ear. “Sounds good, but I like what I had in mind better.”

Playing dumb while still looking away, “What’s that?”

“I could tell you. Or . . . I can show you.” His lips fall upon my cheek again, lingering longer than usual.

You put yourself in this situation, Emma, and you need to get yourself out of it before you let it go too far. What is going to be girl? Break your rules or don’t break your rules? You need to decide.

“I . . . like the idea of . . . going for a bike ride.”

He moans on a large exhale into my neck and my eyelids flutter in delight. Pull yourself together, Emma. He lightly kisses my temple before slowly, hesitantly lets go of me.

I temporarily make eye contact as we turn to leave the pier. I’m grateful for Sadie’s presence when she walks between Joe and me as we head back to Nathan’s.

While waiting for one of the lights to change to cross the street, Joe brings up a neutral topic. “So, tell me about Nathaniel’s.”

“What would you like to know?”

“Anything you’re willing to share,” he suggests.

“Nathan started Nathaniel’s a year and a half ago with only a men’s line,” I begin.

“And, he’s starting a women’s line now,” he states rather than questions. “It’s a little early to start a second product line.”

“Normally, for any business I would agree. However, Nathaniel’s is in the green,” I mention.

“Wow. Really?” Joe’s undoubtedly impressed. “How did he manage that? No business is ever in the green the first few years.”

Contemplating how I want to explain, I hesitantly offer, “I had some assistance.”

“You? Not that I’m surprised with the success of your two businesses,” he shares.

His statement makes me think that Maggie and Jared may have revealed more information about me than I would like. I can address this concern later.

“Yes. Before Nathan even started talking about the idea of having his own line, I saw his ability. He’s got an eye for fashion. One day when Jared, Nathan and I were hanging out, it came up in conversation. I started asking him some questions, and from his answers, I offered to be his backer right there on the spot,” I explain.

“So what did he do to get in the green?” Joe searches.

“Nathan is brilliant with fabric and doesn’t give himself much credit for business ability. I insisted on being a silent partner but made myself available for any questions or needs. Taking my advice, he built his company’s structure and started advertising and networking before the first season’s collection was complete,” I openly add.

“Wow,” Joe says encouraging me to continue.

Proud of Nathan, I proceeded to explain more. “He worked with Maggie on social media and Jared started wearing many of Nathan’s looks on camera. Then, Naturally Me featured Nathan and some of his designs three different times before his store opened. We showcased his versatile ability to create fashion that fit the style needs of all men regardless of their sexual orientation. I also had my Naturally Me team video tape Nathan on a variety of topics, some interviews, some sewing tips and tricks that we used to promote and sell his brand before it was even available. Ultimately, we built up hype around him and the need to wear his clothing.”

“Impressive,” he acknowledges.

“Opening day, Nathaniel’s had a line out the door that stretched around the block. Nathan sold more than half of his inventory by the end of that day,” I praise. “He’s had to take back orders for most products ever since.”