Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(128)

“Hey, beautiful,” Joe writes.

I dry off my hands and pick up the phone to respond. “Hey.”

“Jimmy and Allen just arrived,” he offers.

“Awesome.”

“What are you up to?”

With a grin, I admit the truth, “In the tub.”

There’s no way he’s coming over if Jimmy and Allen are with him and a girl can have a little fun.

“Mmm . . .” he texts. “I’d be there in less than five minutes if my brother wasn’t here.”

“What makes you think I’d open the door?”

“Don’t know. But, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t beg to be let in,” he muses. “How did your day go?”

“Good. Got a lot more filming done. Maggie and Henry have a photographer and videographer. How was your day?”

“Long, but good. Would have been better if you were around. Who’d they get?”

He sure knows how to make a woman feel special.

“Hired Ian from the Naturally Me crew. How’s the birthday gift?” I redirect our attention.

“Good. You sure Jared’s going to like it?”

“If not, he’ll hate me for a while,” I explain.

“I don’t think he’ll hate you,” Joe consoles.

“Thanks.”

“Want to sneak over to cuddle?”

Laughing, I write back, “No.”

I do want to feel his body on mine, but the idea of getting caught is not appealing to me. I’m not sure what we are doing, but I like it.

“Please,” he begs.

“Use your pillow,” I suggest.

“I am. It’s not the same, especially when it doesn’t smell or feel like you,” he writes. “When can I see you again?”

“You’re going to see me tomorrow,” I remind.

“Not like that,” he texts.

“Like how?” I question, feigning ignorance.

“Just you and me,” he explains. “Alone. Snuggling.”

“Not sure,” I answer.

I want to see him sooner than later, but I’m getting nervous. I’m not sure where things are going with him. I like the flirting. It’s fun. However, I do know that I’m tempted to break more of my rules.

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because?” he searches.

I don’t write back.

“Tomorrow, then,” he confirms.

“Tomorrow,” I agree.

“I’ll pick you up at three,” he instructs.

“Sounds good,” I write with eager anticipation.

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

“Goodnight, Joe.”





Thirty Three


Wednesday morning I pick up Maggie’s save-the-date cards and hop on the train with Sadie to meet up with her and the rest of the family at the Li home. In less than two hours, M?qīn, Nǎinai, Amy, Jade and I have the announcements sealed and ready to be sent out in the mail. Amelia, Henry and Mrs. Wú join us shortly after and we go over more details for the engagement party. Normally, I would invite Jared along, but with his party tonight, I don’t want the cat getting out of the bag.

I excuse myself from the group of women around one-thirty to head home and start preparing for Jared’s party. Before leaving, I give Henry the green light to fill everyone in on the plan and the secrecy. We should be safe from Jared knowing, but I remind Henry not to let Maggie talk to Jared until tonight.


Once home, I rebound for a few minutes before getting into the shower. As I finish getting my dress on, Joe texts that he’s coming up. Fifteen minutes early as always. I rush to double check Sadie’s bag and finish transferring items to my gold clutch. There’s a knock on my door just as I’m about to put my shoes on.

Wearing an elegant navy blue pinstriped suit and crisp, light blue dress shirt, Joe greets me with a passionate kiss before the door is opened all the way. “Hey, beautiful,” he says in his sexy voice.

“Hey,” I reply in a similar tone. I’m immediately lost in his ocean blue eyes that shine with his suit.

“Looks like we’re matching,” he says.

Glancing down at our clothes, because I temporarily forgot what I put on, I notice what he’s talking about. I’m wearing a navy blue dress that has a squared-off scoop neckline that boasts a chic notch that accentuates my cleavage with puffed cap sleeves. I’ve accented my outfit with a curved double gold bar necklace and the gold bracelet Jared gave me for my twenty-first birthday that is engraved with the words of a Chinese proverb, Where there is life, there is hope.

“You better put your shoes on or else we aren't leaving this apartment,” he confesses his internal thoughts.

Clearing my throat, I reluctantly slide away from his body. “Maybe I should change,” I comment.

“If you take that dress off you won’t be putting anything else back on,” he declares, sliding his right hand on my hip.

I flush at his forwardness. Joe’s getting more daring — a little too daring perhaps. Determined to stay clothed and to adhere to my rules, I put aside my concern of our matching outfits. I’m not ready to humor the idea of us doing anything sexual, let alone give him any indication that there’s any chance for something to happen.