Just Breathe Series (Trilogy Box Set)

by Martha Sweeney

  “Noises?” I inquire, though I don’t really want to know what type of noises.

  Giggling, Nathan whispers, “Not those kind of noises, you dirty Kitten you. Where is your mind this morning?”

  “Not where you’re thinking,” I rebut with a grin, nudging him.

  “So what’s going on here?” Nathan questions devilishly, pointing back and forth between Joe and me.

  “What are you talking about?” I reply, knowing full well what he’s suggesting.

  “We’re just talking and becoming more acquainted,” Joe says with a smile.

  “Acquainted?” Nathan whispers with a playful accusatory tone.

  All I can do is laugh and shake my head.

  With a smirk and a chuckle, Joe answers, “Yeah. We’re becoming friends. There’s nothing wrong with two people being friends, is there?”

  “No. And, there’s nothing wrong with two people being more than just friends,” Nathan adds.

  “Enough, Nathan,” I say, demanding he stops. I glance at Joe and catch him trying to hide a smile.

  “Fine,” he caves. “You're no fun.”

  “Who’s not fun?” Jared inquires, popping out of the patio door.

  Nathan makes a face as he looks at me, tilting his head. “Emma,” he whines. “She won’t play along. It’s not like she hasn’t been laid recently.”

  I glower at Nathan’s comment while attempting not to blush at his openness with Joe sitting right next to me.

  “Stop meddling,” Jared playful scolds. “Emma’s been friendly to some of Maggie’s past boyfriend’s friends.”

  “Not this friendly,” Nathan insinuates.

  “I’m not going to be rude when they disappear and you two disappear at the same time,” I say, defending my actions.

  Jared changes the subject as he wraps his arms around Nathan and kisses him on the cheek. “I think we need to get breakfast started. What do you think, Emma and Joe? I bet you two have been up for a while.”

  “I agree,” Joe confirms. “I’m hungry.” He looks to me and I nod in agreement.

  “Cool. Let’s get the lovebirds up and we’ll have another feast,” Jared announces.

  We get up and make our way inside. Jared yanks Nathan by the hand to follow. Joe gestures for Sadie and me to go first.

  “What time did everyone want to go jumping?” I ask, wanting to move the conversation away from Joe and I as the main topic.

  “We should probably go earlier this morning to beat the kid crowd,” Jared replies.

  “The kids won’t matter. I’ll call and reserve the private court,” I say.

  “Sweet,” Maggie answers bounding out of the second bedroom behind us. “I love watching the kids and all, but they do make it a challenge sometimes when there are too many of them.”

  “Good morning,” Jared, Nathan, Joe and I say in unison.

  “Good morning,” she answers, taking turns hugging each of us.

  Feeling my stomach grumble, I leave everyone chatting and head to the kitchen to start breakfast. Nathan quickly follows and we hop behind the counter, enjoying the groove we fall into naturally when we cook together. Maggie and Jared set the dining room table and Joe plays with Sadie waiting to help. My friends and I turn Joe down when he offers to assist. Each time Jared enters the kitchen area, he’s overly affectionate with me and hovers. To diffuse his concern, I purposefully smile and joke around.

  As Nathan gets the stovetop warming for eggs and turkey bacon, I turn on the waffle maker.

  Henry cheerfully comes out of the bedroom and all eyes are on him. Stopping in his tracks to the hush that falls upon the condo, Henry questions, “What?”

  The elephant in the room has arrived. Did they or didn’t they? I really don’t want to know the answer.

  “Good morning!” we all serenade as Maggie bounces over to him.

  We dine with great conversations and lots of loud laughter as we enjoy eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, smoothies and waffles. Just like the night before, we all settle into a mode that feels like we’ve been doing this with each other for many years. Nothing but comfort, ease and joy. Though I see this regularly when I’m with Maggie’s family, with this small group of people, it feels different — a good kind of different. I get a shiver as the thought that this scenario will be playing out before me for years to come. This feeling invigorates me, but also intimidates me.

  After our energetic meal, everyone helps to clean up before getting dressed into workout clothes. Jared, Nathan, Joe and I change pretty quickly and I only need to rush Maggie and Henry along once before they emerge from the bedroom ecstatic for the morning’s activities.

  Eleven

  “That was fun,” Henry exclaims as we are leaving the trampoline facility. “I would love to do that again.”

  “Me too,” adds Joe with a smile. “I never knew jumping around like that would be so much fun and a great workout. I see why you like it, Emma.”

  “And those flips she was doing . . .” Henry adds with astonishment.

  “I know, right,” Joe says.

  “Thanks,” I reply with a bashful smile. To direct attention away from myself, I commend to Nathan, “Looks like you’ve gotten a lot better.”

  “I know. I have so much more control,” he answers with delight.

  “He’s sexier too,” Jared adds with a wink.

  Piling back into Nathan’s Tesla, I hear a few moans from the vigorous workout. Maggie holds my hand discretely for support with my car jitters. Her gesture helps, but my leg still pulses a little from my nerves.

  Everyone is quick to shower. Jared and Nathan jump into one shower, as I head to the other, confident that I’ll probably get into the kitchen to begin lunch before Nathan. Maggie surprisingly joins me in the bathroom as I turn on the faucet. Thinking she just wants to talk a little, I’m surprised when she gets undressed. Now, I’m not sure if she wants to talk or needs to take the edge off.

  “You okay?” I ask with a little concern.

  Beaming, she replies, “I’m great. Just figured this would be faster and I’m starving.”

  I shrug my shoulders and shift out of the way so she can get under the water. As she stands there, I grab the sea sponge and soap and begin to wash her back.

  “Thanks,” she responds.

  I don’t say anything as I wash her body and hair, patiently waiting for her to offer what she’s willing to share.

  “I had so much fun last night,” she begins. “We talked until we feel asleep.”

  “That’s cool. I’m happy for you,” I encourage.

  She turns to rinse the shampoo from her hair before taking the sponge and turns me around. “You okay?” She questions.

  “Yeah, why?” I lie, convinced she’s referring to this mornings episode.

  Maggie doesn’t say anything and studies me carefully after I turn to face her before she answers, “Nothing. Just checking.” She steps aside to allow the water to rinse my back as I hear the snap of a bottle lid opening. Moving closer, Maggie starts to wash my hair. “Sorry for ditching you last night,” she confesses.

  “It’s okay. I’m a big girl,” I deliver, wanting to ease her concern.

  “I know,” she reveals with a touch of guilt. “I just don’t want you to think . . . .”

  “Mags. We’re good,” I comfort her, taking her hands in mine.

  “So, did you talk to Joe?” she questions.

  I know she’s looking to see if I’ve discovered anything about Henry. He seems almost too good to be true, but so far I haven’t picked up a single warning flag.

  “I think Henry really likes you,” I say bluntly.

  My instincts are never wrong about people. I’m not thrilled at the idea of losing time with Maggie, but I’m happy that she’s happy. Who knows, Henry just might be the one.

  “Really?” Maggie says excitedly.

  “Really,” I reassure.

  She doesn’t say anything else, but I can feel her smiling from ear to ear behin
d me. Maggie’s glowing and I can feel her body heat rising on my naked skin. She moves to let me rinse my hair and when I finish, Maggie hugs me.

  We finish showering and dry off in silence. Maggie has her towel secured first and just as I’m tucking in my towel in front of me, Maggie opens the door to the boys’ room and offers, “We’re done.”

  I spin around sharply, gripping my towel in my fist to see both Henry and Joe standing in their room wide-eyed and paralyzed. I swear the color drains from both of their faces while the look of confusion, disbelief and arousal swarms within them at the same time. I’m going to kill Maggie.

  “Who’s next?” Maggie inquires innocently.

  “Wanna go?” Henry quietly mutters to Joe.

  “Sure,” Joe replies, altering his expression.

  Once showered and dressed, everyone eats in silence for the first five minutes as they shovel food into their mouths. The guys have a glazed look in their eyes that slowly dissipates with each bite. They must have been really hungry. Maggie and I glance back and forth to each other as we watch in amazement and giggle. Chatter suddenly erupts and the rest of the meal is lively.

  After cleaning up the dishes, everyone slumps on the u-shaped sectional in the living room. Jared and Nathan cuddle in the middle. Henry and Maggie are on the love-seat side and Joe offers me the chaise as he positions himself closer to Nathan. Nathan puts the television on to minimize the need to talk and to allow those who need it to sleep.

  I wake first around an hour later to five sleeping bodies and a wide awake Sadie. I only needed to nap because of the rocky morning from the nightmare. If I had my full five hours of straight sleep, I would have been the only one awake the whole time. It’s comical seeing all of these grown adults comfortably asleep around each other.

  I take Sadie out for a little walk around the block to stretch before resuming my place on the couch with a book. Instead of laying with me like before, Sadie chooses a different spot and places her head on Joe’s chest this time. I sit and stare at Sadie and Joe in amazement, still puzzled by her interactions with him. He breathes rhythmically as his stunningly handsome features remain soft and sweet. I wonder if he knows how striking he is, not just physically, but also his personality. Anytime we were out in public this past weekend, I watched women of all ages gawk at him and he never seems to notice. His lips and eyes are the most intriguing parts, especially when he smiles.

  Suddenly, Joe shifts and I peel my eyes off of him in just enough time to pretend that I’ve been reading.

  “Hey,” he whispers in a low, sexy greeting.

  I make sure I pause for just a brief second before looking at him. “Hey,” I softly reply.

  Our eyes stay locked on each other for a few seconds before I return my eyes to my book. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him inspect the sleeping bodies around us while he scratches Sadie. Continuing to pretend to read, my attention follows him as he gets up, stretches and heads into the bedroom.

  “Hey,” he whispers to get my attention and tilts his head toward the patio door.

  I half smile and I nod.

  Sadie, Joe and I hang out on the patio in the late February, warm, Southern California air while our friends rest. I eye him as he moves the two lounge chairs closer together before gesturing for me to sit.

  “So we can talk more easily and not wake them up,” he suggests.

  I internally question his actions and find myself flattered and curious to see what else he tries.

  “So, how are you liking California?” I ask politely after sitting down.

  Love it,” he eagerly replies. “The weather is awesome, the people are friendly and the food is great. What’s not to love?”

  “Do you miss the East Coast?” I continue.

  With a smile, Joe answers, “Yes and no.” He pauses before continuing, “I don’t miss the weather, but I do miss my family.”

  Smirking, I tease, “So, you’re a family man, huh?”

  His grin widens. “Yes.” Taking his turn, he asks, “Do you miss it?”

  I feel the expression on my face change as I breathe in for a second before responding, “No.”

  “I guess you wouldn’t really, not if you don’t have anything to go back to. I understand why,” he states with soft sincerity.

  “Nope,” I agree.

  “So, what’s your favorite color?” he says in a playful voice.

  He’s obviously trying to keep things light and I appreciate the courtesy. It’s like he knows when to stop pushing automatically.

  “Why?” I say with a giggle, not sure what he’s trying to do with a question like that.

  “Just figured it would be a valid question. Not too intense, I hope . . .” he replies.

  I contemplate a second before answering, “Blue. And, you?”

  For some reason, the color of his eyes is alluring and the exact color of blue I’m referring to. I don’t dare tell him.

  “Same,” he answers without hesitation.

  I tease, “I don’t think we can get any more intimate than that.”

  His grin extends from ear to ear before he agrees, “I don’t think so either. So, where do you live?”

  He’s fishing for more information about me, which for some reason, is exhilarating. I’m not sure if I want to tell him, but I know that it will come up eventually if Maggie’s and Henry’s relationship really is that serious.

  I take a deep breath as I consider answering truthfully, “Pasadena.”

  He watches me for a moment, trying to figure out if I hesitantly told him the truth or was trying to lie, “Pasadena. Where is that?”

  Accepting that I just allowed that door to be opened, I confirm, “It’s just north of downtown LA off the One-Ten.”

  “Maybe, sometime you can show me around Pasadena,” he says with a flirtatious hint to his voice.

  With my eyebrows slightly raised, I question, “Just the two of us?”

  “No. Well, not unless you want it to be.”

  With a little laugh, I answer, “I’ll consider it.”

  My comment gets his smile to return.

  “Pasadena. That’s where the Rose Bowl is and the Rose Parade takes place, right?” he continues after a minute of silence.

  “Yes.”

  “I missed it this year. Maybe we all can get together for next year?” he comments, implying a long-term relationship for Maggie and Henry.

  That’s a good sign — I think.

  “Sure,” I agree while suppressing a smirk.

  The patio door slides open and Jared joins us. “Hey, you two.”

  “Hey,” Joe and I answer at the same time.

  “Everyone still sleeping?” I question.

  “Yeah, but . . . I think Nathan will be up next,” Jared offers as he slips onto the lounger with me.

  Sadie moves over to Joe’s chair for more room. The four of us sit quietly enjoying the usually quiet Santa Monica Sunday afternoon.

  Once everyone is finally awake, we decide to stroll around Santa Monica, giving Henry and Joe more of a tour before deciding on a restaurant for dinner. More great food and conversations flow as the night falls upon us. Henry and Joe decide to leave when Maggie and I do, seeming to not want to overstay their welcome even though Nathan insists that they’re welcome several times. Unfortunately, Henry and Joe follow Maggie and I back to Pasadena, which unnerves me a little. Maggie can’t invite Henry back to stay with her since she lives with Fŭqīn, Mŭqīn and Nǎinai in Chinatown. She knows better not to ask for them to join us at my place. I deduce that she’ll be telling her parents that she’s staying with me, but will be going to Henry’s.

  I have Maggie drop me off at the curb to my apartment complex instead of pulling into the underground parking. As we open the trunk to get my bags, Joe and Henry are out of their car and standing behind us. I was really hoping to not make a scene saying farewell.

  “Thanks for letting us crash your weekend,” Henry says, moving in to hug me.

&
nbsp; I try my best to not look uncomfortable, let alone make the moment awkward since he catches me off guard.

  “I really appreciate you and your friend’s allowing us to join you,” Henry adds, with his arms still wrapped around me.

  “Sure,” I answer uncomfortably, tapping him on his back.

  I catch Maggie beaming when Henry finally lets go of me.

  “Nice to see you again, Joe,” I begin, afraid Henry will hug me again.

  “Definitely,” Joe answers offering his hand.

  I’m relieved when he doesn’t try to hug me, though the thought of his smell piques my interest.

  “Let me get those for you,” Joe insists, reaching for my bags.

  “No. Don’t worry about it. I got it,” I politely contend.

  “He’s being a gentleman, Emma. Let him help,” Maggie interjects.

  Letting out a sigh, I accept, “Fine.”

  “It’s okay,” Joe replies, noticing my uneasiness and backs off.

  “No. It’s okay, she doesn’t mind,” Maggie presses.

  I give her a look, but I really don’t want to drag this situation out any further.

  “Help would be nice,” I reply with slightly gritted teeth and a forced smile.

  Joe grabs my bags and follows me to the gated entrance that is around the corner of the first building. Aware that we can’t be seen anymore, Joe courteously offers, “I’ll let you be here and just wait a minute or two before heading back to them.”

  “Thanks.” I smile in appreciation before turning to unlock the community entrance.

  Joe places my bags on the other side of the gate and says farewell to Sadie first. Awkwardly standing, he pauses before saying, “Thanks for the great weekend.”

  I smile and nod in response.

  “I look forward to next time,” Joe adds.

  Before I even get a chance to respond, Joe leans in and kisses me on the cheek. His soft, warm lips linger on my skin and send tingles of delight to my sex.

  Shocked, I mutter, “Goodnight.”

  We stare at each other for a moment before I will my body to move.

  As I walk away from the gate that is now behind me, I hear Joe say, “Goodnight, Emma.”