Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (26 page)

At some point during our discussions, Anna brings us tea, coffee and some hours d' oeuvres before informing us that dinner will be ready in an hour. I check the clock on my phone and am surprised when I see that it’s just after five. Have we been talking for that long? I need to feed Sadie. There’s no need to formally excuse myself from my friends, so I sneak out right as Maggie and Henry start sharing how they met and fell in
love
with Jimmy and Allen. Yes, fell in
love
. They both use that word freely so much now. It’s been barely three months and they are talking about
love
. My stomach turns at the notion of them being in
love
.

I watch Anna bouncing between the kitchen and the dinning room before I start looking for Sadie’s food.

“Can I help you with anything, Ms. Emma?” Anna sweetly inquires.

“I need to feed Sadie,” I cordially mention, not wanting to interrupt her.

Turning to the refrigerator, Anna pulls out the cooler and offers, “I can feed her for you, Ms. Emma.”

“Thank you, Anna, but I think you’re busy enough getting dinner ready,” I graciously decline.

“I don’t mind. I’m happy to help,” she respectfully insists.

I appreciate Anna’s attentiveness and willingness, but there is no need. I’m under the impression that tasks as simple as feeding a dog are a part of her job description, even for guests. There’s no need to expect her to take care of Sadie or me even when she seems pleased to do it.

“Thank you, but . . .” I begin.

She senses my discomfort and instead instructs, “Plates and bowls are here, silverware over here, and feel free to use any food that is in the kitchen. Mr. Joseph had me purchase a variety of items for you, Ms. Sadie and everyone else. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“Thank you,” I return, making my way to get a spoon.

Anna diligently watches me as I place the different ingredients of Sadie’s food into one of the bowls I had in her cooler. Before I’m finished, Anna fills the other bowl with water. She then places a towel on the floor before putting the bowl down. As I rinse my hands in the island sink, Anna instinctually takes the food and sets it next to the water. I choose not to say anything — I don’t doubt that I’m driving her crazy by doing her job.

“She’s not eating,” Anna voices with concern.

With a reassuring smile, I explain, “She’s waiting for the command.”

“She won’t eat unless you tell her?” Anna affirms with amazement. “Wow.”

I signal for Sadie to eat and she immediately begins. Anna stands watching Sadie the whole time. I suspect that she’s planning on cleaning the dishes and not giving me the chance.

Joe enters the kitchen distracting me, which gives Anna just enough time to retrieve the food bowl. “Everything okay in here?” Joe questions.

“Just fine, Mr. Joseph,” Anna replies.

I giggle at hearing her call him Mr. Joseph.

“What’s so funny?” he inquires.

“Nothing, Mr. Joseph,” I echo Anna’s words.

This gets a laugh from Anna before she says, “I like her, Mr. Joseph.”

I can’t help but laugh again before pondering her chosen words.

“Me too,” Joe asserts, looking right at me.

To redirect the conversation I indicate, “I need to take Sadie out.”

Joe studies me for a second like he’s contemplating on whether to say something or not. He silently accepts my announcement and has a look like he’s deciding on whether or not to join us. A few seconds later, Joe hesitantly returns to our friends, looking over his shoulder just after he pass through the doorway.

Being outside with Sadie alone is refreshing and gives me time to think and calm down. I’m not really agitated anymore, but being alone helps me digest everything, especially the fact that Joe now lives in Pasadena. Why Pasadena? Seriously!

Once Anna lets us back inside, Sadie darts down the hallway to Joe who is hovering in a doorway.

“Where is everyone?” I ask when I get closer to him.

“Getting the tour,” Joe says, pointing down the hall and then resumes petting Sadie.

Instead of joining the rest of our friends, I turn towards the living room to snoop. My attention is captured by a variety of framed pictures that sit on some built-in bookcases near the piano. I pick up one picture to examine it further. It consists of a large group of people all of different ages.

“That’s my family,” Joe comments, scaring me. He takes a step closer, causing his shoulder to brush slightly on my back before resting his hand on my hip.

I’m temporarily distracted by his close proximity, but I’m able to focus enough to catch the majority of the names and faces of the people in the photo. I’ve never been this aroused during that time of the month.

Everyone in the photo looks genuinely happy. I put the picture back and continue looking at the others as Joe stays close. My attention immediately goes to a photo of Joe sleeping while holding a resting baby girl.

“That’s my niece, Lily,” he indicates.

“Which one?” I tease.

He moves closer. Close enough that I feel something rub against my ass before I notice his right hand on my waist.

“What are you doing?”

He chuckles, “Nothing.” His smooth cheek brushes mine.

“Joe.”

“Shhh,” he mumbles, squeezing me tighter.

I feel and hear him breathe me in and I can’t move. I let him stay right where he is holding me. Why? My brain stops talking when the memories of being in bed with him at Nathan’s and the kiss after our recent date come back in full force. My figure soaks up the convergence of our bodies and my mind is conflicted between my physical desire for him and my need to distance myself. I can’t let him too close. I can’t let him in.

“Joe.”

“Mmm . . . .” His left hand is now on my waist and his mouth sweeps my skin just under my ear.

The clamor of our friends’ voices in the hallway snap me back to reality. As I pull away from Joe, he does the same for me, giving us enough distance to compose ourselves. I would almost think that he doesn’t want to get caught either. Joe sits on a nearby chair and pets Sadie while I continue to scan the bookcase until our friends are in view.

Before everyone gets comfortable, Anna announces that dinner is ready. We follow her to the dinning room where a table that seats eight easily and is dressed with a feast large enough for Thanksgiving dinner. Joe takes the head of the table, followed by Jimmy, Allen, Maggie and Henry to his left which leaves me to sit on Joe’s right followed by Jared and Nathan. Why do I have to sit right next to Joe?

Everyone exchanges more stories and topics of discussion as we eat the mountainous meal. At some point, we all agree to stay in for the night to continue chatting and to have a mini pajama party in the living room. As everyone continues to sit and talk around the dinner table, I habitually stand up to clean.

“What are you doing?” Anna asks with surprise when I enter the kitchen.

“Cleaning up,” I declare, now questioning my own actions. I place the dishes on the counter waiting for her to move.

“Go enjoy yourself, Ms. Emma. I’ll clean up when everyone is finished,” she instructs me.

“We are finished. And, that hardly seems fair.”

“Why is that?”

She’s clearly puzzled by my response.

“Because you cooked it. We should at least help clean.”

Giddy from my statement, Anna reminds me, “It’s my job.”

“So. That doesn’t mean I can’t help.”

“You are a guest. You are not expected to cook or clean the dishes, Ms. Emma.”

“I know,” I agree with her. “But, as a guest I have the right to choose to help, and, that’s what I choose.”

A confused and concerned expression rolls upon her face. She clearly doesn’t know what to say or do. The sound of the sliding door behind me grabs our attention. Jimmy and Joe are now behind me.

“Everything okay?” Jimmy inquires.

“No,” Anna declares with some trepidation.

“Yes,” I assert calmly.

“Ms. Emma is trying to clean. I told her not to, but she won’t listen to me.” Anna rats me out.

The way she frames her words makes me think she’s afraid of getting into trouble.

Joe lets out a husky laugh as Jimmy investigates, “Why are you laughing.”

“It’s fine, Anna,” Joe assures her. “If Emma is compelled to help you, will you let her?”

“You know that I’ll help despite what anyone says,” I challenge, placing my hand on my hip.

Laughing more, he replies, “I know.”

Unsure, Anna agrees, “Okay.”

“No wonder you like her, Joe,” Jimmy alleges before returning to the dining room.

“It’s okay, Anna. Really,” Joe consoles.

Not saying anything, Anna takes the dishes sitting on the counter in front of me.

“Hey . . .” I protest with a smile.

Joe advances towards me, pressing his chest to my back, rests his chin on my shoulder and his left hand on the counter next to my hip. Why is he so daring to touch me like this? Why am I not trying to move away?

Anna turns, catching us. She doesn’t look shocked or surprised. “I like her, Mr. Joseph. She’s good for you. She might even teach you a thing or two.”

I can’t see Joe, but I can tell by observing Anna that she’s gotten to him in a playful way. Her cheerful reaction indicates that she has a long working history with him.

“I know,” he admits.

I turn to face Joe and I find him blushing as he looks right at me. His eyes hold mine, and then, he kisses me lightly on the forehead. Why is he displaying any type of affection in front of Anna? I scrunch my nose at him in protest just before he takes my wrist and leads me back to the dining room. “Come on,” he says.

To appease Anna, I internally fight with myself not to aid her with dish duty. My friends choose to joke at my expense over my eagerness to help.

“Ha ha. Very funny,” I declare at one point after I’m met with a few snickers.

Jared scoots his chair closer to me and pulls me into him.

“So, Emma . . . what’s wrong with my brother?” Jimmy blurts.

“Excuse me?”

I’m shocked by his statement. Did I say something offensive at some point and not realize it? My eyes dart back and forth between Joe and Jimmy.

“Leave her alone, Jimmy,” Joe defends.

“It’s a valid question,” Jimmy contends.

Not sure exactly what is going on, I timidly comment, “Nothing is wrong with Joe. I’m sorry. Did I say something rude or offensive? I didn’t mean to.”

“No, you didn’t,” Joe reassures.

“Then, why won’t you date him?” Jimmy pushes.

Where is his question coming from? Did Joe say something? Did my friends say something?

“I don’t date,” I present calmly.

“What gorgeous woman like you doesn’t date?” he continues.

I stare blankly at his forwardness.

“Leave her alone, Jimmy,” Joe says with agitation in his tone.

“Emma has never dated,” Maggie chimes in. “It’s nothing personal to Joe or any other guy she meets.”

“Why not?” Allen searches.

“Did someone break your heart?” Jimmy investigates.

When did my dating life become the main focal point of conversation? I know Jimmy and Allen don’t know me, but I’m still not comfortable discussing it with anyone.

“My dating life is not up for discussion,” I state impassively.

Jared sympathetically squeezes my hand.

“Definitely heartbreak,” Jimmy insists.

“Leave her alone, Jimmy,” Joe asserts almost raising his voice.

I’ve never heard Joe get loud before with anyone.

“What?” Jimmy feigns innocence. He takes the warning look Joe gives him and backs off. “My apologies, Emma.”

I silently accept his concession.

With our conversation coming to a halt by Jimmy’s interrogation, everyone temporarily retires to their rooms to change for the night. Joe follows me to his room.

“I’m sorry about Jimmy . . . I . . . .”

“It’s okay,” I offer.

“No, it’s not okay,” Joe consoles, wringing the back of his neck with his hand.

“It’s not a big deal. I’ve had it happen before. He just caught me off guard.”

I have been approached a number of times by every adult member of Maggie’s family as well as Nathan’s. I’ve had random strangers, both male and female of various sexual orientations, inquire as well.

“I swear, I have never said anything that would warrant him to say anything like that,” he nervously admits.

“It’s okay, really.” My feet take a few steps towards him for some reason.

Joe’s body completely relaxes as he moves, closing the gap between us. “I just need to grab something to change into,” he mentions.

“You can change in here,” I offer.

A flirtatious look appears on his face.

“Down boy. I’ve got to take Sadie out one more time for the night.”

Did he just pout?

“Are you pouting?” I question.

“No,” he argues, though he doesn’t change his expression until he can no longer suppress a grin. “I’ll join you ladies.”

“We’ll be fine by ourselves.”

“I know, but I wouldn’t mind getting out.”

We take Sadie for a walk around a few blocks and over to one of the nearby parks for her to run a little. As we take a break on the far, top left of the park while Sadie sniffs around a tree, I decide that I need to know what caused the reason for his moving.

“Why Pasadena?”

“What do you mean?” he says confused.

All I do is give him a look and I know he understands what I mean.

“I like it here.”

“You like it here?”

“Yes,” he agrees.

“And . . .?” I pry.

“And . . . what?”

He’s not going to make this easy, is he?

“Any other reason?” I inspect.

“Uhhhhh . . . no.” The smirk on his face indicates that he’s lying.

Shaking my head, “You’re kidding, right?!”

He ponders what to say, and leaves me with, “All in good time, beautiful.”

When we get back to his building, Joe stands in the elevator with his shoulder touching mine. I decree not to look at him because it might encourage him to do something. From the corner of my eye, I see him staring at me until the box dings at our arrival.