Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (9 page)

“Maybe I’m both,” Joe says, clearly trying to lure me in further.

“Regardless, you are a means to an end. A piece in the game, the mystery,” I say, baiting him back.

“How am I a piece in the mystery?” Joe inquires while the look on his face exposes his desire to continue.

“One way to get to know someone is through the company he keeps,” I reveal.

“Interesting . . .” he says teasingly. “So you’re just using me?”

Is he flirting with me? I wonder if he’s in on Henry’s and Maggie’s little game. Oh honey, I can play this game for as long as you want.

“Exactly.” I honestly, but mischievously verify as my smirk expands a little and my eyebrows lift.

Joe chuckles a little as he reveals his full smile. God, is he sexy. I’m extremely attracted to this man, but I know my rules and boundaries and need to keep them in check. Nothing should come from this. I mean, nothing will come from this.

“I work with my father who owns a few businesses as well. I’m mostly familiar and currently working in real estate and hospitality,” Joe remarks with truthfulness in his voice. “However, I’m looking to branch out the family’s business assets with more modern industries like technology.”

“What areas of technology?” I inquire interested.

“Not sure. I’d like to have at least one division dedicated to renewable resources,” he replies.

I nod in response processing and enjoying our little game as well as cataloging all of his and Henry’s direct answers. His eyes narrow slightly as if he’s looking for something more in my response. Or, maybe he’s looking to see if he’s off the hook. I don’t reveal my intention, but I am rather curious as to the extent of his business knowledge and if he’s forward thinking or not. His brain is starting to pique my curiosity.

Maggie and Henry are on the edge of their seats watching us. When Maggie and I make eye contact, she gives me a look. It’s a look I’m all too familiar with that has so many meanings as she bites her lip and smiles with the inquisition that lays blatantly in her gaze. She’s never really seen me banter like this with a guy before and it looks like she’s reading way too much into it. Maggie frowns when I shake my head at her investigation. Pouting doesn’t work on me.

She tries to nonchalantly tip her head in Henry’s direction, knowing to move on. I smile at her, nodding reassuringly that this meeting is going well so far. Maggie always runs guys and potential boyfriends by me first. There has obviously been a slight change in the procedure since Henry and his family joined us for New Year’s, but I appreciate her still going through this boyfriend screening. None of her past boyfriends have passed my tests before, not that I would ever tell Maggie that, but Henry is showing some real promise.

She releases a breath as if she’s been holding it this whole time. The two men sitting with us watch Maggie and me intently, trying to decipher our nonverbal communication.

Kevin, one of the waiters who has been working at the Peking Wok since the restaurant opened comes over with menus for the guys. Maggie and I know the menu inside and out.

“Apologies for not getting to you sooner,” Kevin says to Joe and Henry.

“No worries, Kevin,” Maggie answers. “We were just getting more acquainted and they wouldn’t have had time to look at the menu.”

“Just let me know when you’re ready,” he instructs.

“Thank you,” Joe says followed by Henry.

Kevin nods and moves onto one of his other tables.

Maggie and I sit in silence for a few minutes to give Henry and Joe time to look over the menu. She and I exchange a few more nonverbal glances of conversation and I see both Joe and Henry looking back and forth from their menus to us as if they are going to miss something. It’s actually quite comical.

Before Kevin returns to take our order, Amy comes over with some water and tea. She’s obviously trying to see what’s happening. I bet she’s reporting back to Mŭqīn and Fŭqīn. I wish I knew what they thought about Henry and his parents. Trying to secure a return to the table, Amy asks us if anyone wants anything else to drink. Amy shows her disappointment when everyone courteously declines. I don’t feel too bad for her since I know Maggie will fill her in later anyway.

Prior to resuming the interrogation of my two victims, I purposefully don’t speak for several minutes just to torture them. I can see that I’m driving Maggie crazy with the look she’s giving me, but Joe and Henry seem to be playing it cool as I sip my tea.

“So, how did you two meet again?” I probe, finally starting the conversation with an easy and light question directed at Henry while nodding in Joe’s direction.

“We met our freshman year in college at Dartmouth,” Henry replies, happy to resume our conversation.

Maggie sighs with relief as if I was going to ask something really invasive or rude.

Kevin returns to take our order, ceasing our chat momentarily.

“Dartmouth,” I repeat, having the name dance around in the arena of my game before continuing on.

“Yes,” henry confirms not catching on.

I look to Joe briefly and I can see him trying to suppress a smile. He knows what I’m doing.

Before I ask my next question, Henry offers more information, “My parents wanted me to attend an American school since we were already doing more business here in the States.”

“I wouldn’t give that much validity and credit to the American educational system,” I reply strategically. “But, what do I know. I didn’t attend college.”

They all seem a little surprised by my offering.

“So, which Coast do you prefer?” I ask, wanting to lighten things up a little as Maggie’s anxiety increases.

Joe sits relaxed.

“Definitely the West Coast. The weather is nice and the people are friendlier,” Henry comments, smiling as if he appreciates an easy question.

“Any brothers or sisters here or back in China?”

“No. I’m an only child,” Henry answers.

“Just like Emma!” Maggie throws in.

I bet she’s been dying to talk this whole time. I smile and nod even though I'm not pleased with her eagerness to share more about me.

“Any pressure then to have children?” I go right in for the kill to test the waters and see if Henry waivers.

Joe smirks at my directness.

“No. Though they’d like to see grandchildren, probably sooner than later,” Henry reports honestly while Maggie stares off into the distance in disbelief at my question.

I know she’s dying to know the answer. Besides, I needed to get her back for giving them information about me so freely.

“Do you like children? Do you want some of your own?” I push further.

I might as well go in for the kill with this one.

“Yes and yes,” Henry answers without any hesitation and with a degree of clear certainty. “Family is important to me.”

“I appreciate your honesty,” I reply genuinely.

To help ease some of Maggie’s tension, I excuse myself to use the restroom. Without hesitation, both Henry and Joe stand up when I do. Are they going as well? When I step out of the booth, I see that they sit back down after Maggie gets up to join me.

“I need to use the ladies’ room as well,” Maggie mentions. Almost to the bathroom, Maggie freaks out, “What the hell was that?”

“What?” I respond, playing it cool.

“The question about children!” she exclaims.

I think she may hyperventilate.

“What? Like you weren’t thinking it?” I throw at her.

She stands in astonishment at my response, blinking a few times. “Well, yeah . . . but that doesn’t mean I want that out right off the bat.”

“Were you happy with his answer?” I coax her to realize where I was going with it.

“Yes, but . . .” she replies, tripping over her own thoughts.

“Then, you’re welcome,” I return proudly.

All Maggie can muster is a shocked smile.

“Besides, he didn’t even hesitate when he replied, which says a lot,” I point out.

Her face lightens up at the realization. “Thank you,” she admits shyly as we enter the facilities.

“Your welcome,” I answer. Wanting to bring her back down from cloud nine, I stipulate, “Though, don’t let it go to your head. It’s still really early in . . . well, whatever the two of your are calling this.”

She giggles a little, “I’ll try.”

We each take a stall next to the other and relieve ourselves in peace. Maggie is rarely speechless and this is the second time I’ve rendered her that way today. Man, am I on a roll. I wish Jared was here to witness this. I can’t wait to tell him.

We return to the guys who stand again as we approach the table and then sit back down once we are seated. This gesture is perplexing me. I’ve seen it in movies, but I don’t understand it.

Sometime later, Kevin comes over to the table to serve our meal. For the first few minutes, we dine in silence as I plot my next round of examination. Maggie is sitting a little closer to Henry this time which seems to be a comfortable behavior for the two of them. Joe watches me without losing an ounce of allure in his smile.

Halfway through the meal, Joe asks, “So, beach volleyball, in February?”

“Yes!” declares Maggie. “It’s a great time to play here. The weather is perfect, not too hot, not too cold.”

“Is this your first winter here in California?” I probe, speculating that it is.

“Yes. I’ve visited once or twice in the summer, but never in winter . . . if you can call this winter,” Joe replies earnestly.

“To those who have lived here all their life, it is winter. Having experienced the East Coast weather, Southern California only has three seasons to me. Spring, Summer and Fall. That is, unless you are up in the mountains . . . there’s probably snow there right now,” I say in a friendly manner.

“I’ve spent a bit more time here in California than Joe since my family has a few properties as well as for business. The weather down here is much more mild that San Francisco this time of year. There is definitely a difference. I think I prefer the winter here compared to Northern California. It would be fun sometime to see how the mountains are here. Is there enough snow for skiing?” Henry searches.

“Oh, yes!” Maggie replies. “There’s skiing and tubing. The San Bernardino mountains aren’t too far either. We’ll all have to go next year!”

She’s clearly testing the waters on her own now.

“There are snowy mountains near here?” Henry asks with a little disbelief.

“Yeah. They’re only about two hours east on Route Two-Ten. You’ve heard of Big Bear, haven’t you?” Maggie offers.

She appears to be too excited to finish the last few bites on her plate.

“I didn’t realize Big Bear is that close. I just figured that the skiing areas would be more in Northern California. Yes, we’ll definitely have to go next year!” Henry mentions with eagerness.

Maggie beams at his promise of future activities.

“Next year, then,” Joe adds as he stares right at me, taking another bit of his food.

Is he looking for me to agree?

The rest of the meal I refrain from any further prying, deciding to put the rest of my testing on hold for Saturday. I don’t want to scare Henry off too much, but I also want to throw him and Joe off the scent of my plans. I ask one or two little questions or add commentary, but I leave Maggie and Henry to their own devices of fervent talking for the majority of the time. On occasion, Joe adds a comment as well, but his behavior mostly models mine.

Before leaving to head back to their offices, Henry and Joe inquire about the check for lunch because one never came to the table. Maggie explains that it has already been taking care of, which is met with objections from both of them. They insist that they pay and Maggie refuses. Henry quickly insists that he gets our meal on Saturday when we are all scheduled to play volleyball and Maggie agrees.

I mention that I need to get back to Sadie and they all offer to walk me to the train station. Appreciative that they weren’t offended by my fun during our lunch, I respectfully decline. However, I do offer my hand to Henry when we officially say farewell to head in our separate directions. This peace offering gets a temporarily startled responses from the guys and an instantaneous sunny response from Maggie. I offer my hand to Joe last, who instead of shaking it, raises it and kisses the tips of my knuckles. I’ve never had a man do this before. Joe’s supple lips send electric sparks instantaneously to my sex, turning my body temperature up a few degrees. I’ve never had this intense of a reaction to a man’s touch and I’m conflicted by how much I like it.

Returning home from the engaging morning for both business and pleasure, I decide to take Sadie out for an early afternoon romp. I’ve got the local taxi company on speed dial for when I do need to take a car when my friends aren’t around. After changing into a sports bra, light blue colored, organic cotton v-neck shirt that doesn’t entirely hug my torso, black yoga capris that form to my entire body, and a my black moisture wick running jacket that has pockets perfect for jogging that hold keys and other little necessities, I then pack a small bag with three thermoses filled with filtered water, a pack of trail mix, a few doggy treats and a small folding bowl to pour water into for Sadie. After putting on my sneakers, Sadie and I head down to the cab and are off to one of the local hiking trails that are a few miles away up on the edge of the Altadena mountains, Eaton Canyon.

I hate cars — correction, I loath them after loosing my parents — but, sometimes they are necessary for getting around California. As much as I try to prep myself mentally, the experience is always the same, no matter who is driving. My heart races, my body temperature increases, usually causing me to perspire a little and one or both of my knees rapidly shake. Sometimes I’m able to minimize the stress and anxiety by distracting myself with my phone, but motion sickness can set in if I’m on it for too long. When I’m with Maggie, Jared and Nathan, one of them always holds my hand which helps and they talk to me the entire time to keep my focus off of the ride. If Sadie is with me, I usually pay lots of attention to her, however, she picks up on my nervousness which just heightens mine.