Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(139)

“You okay, Kitten?” Jared asks, walking into the room.

“Yeah. Why?” I reply, trying to brush off where my thoughts might have been.

“The whole Chris thing. I know it’s not what you really would want to do and I know that you are just being really cool about it for Nathan, which he and I really appreciate,” he consoles while sliding onto the bed, snuggling up next to me.

“I’ll be fine. Anything to help Nathaniel’s,” I assure unconvincingly.

“Emma?” he questions with worry.

“Everything’s fine,” I lie.

“Emma . . .” he pushes, not believing me.

“What?”

“You know you can talk to me,” he offers, taking my iPad from me.

“I know,” I confirm.

“What’s really bothering you?” he searches, wrapping his arms around me as I curl into his chest.

“What are you talking about?” I deny while searching to see what he may have seen.

“He clearly likes you,” he mentions calmly.

“Who? Chris? I know that. I’ll deal with him the night of the event. I couldn’t put the man in his place in front of everyone today,” I concur.

“I know. Chris clearly isn’t taking the hint, but I was referring to Joe.”

“What about Joe?”

“You didn’t see his reaction when you agreed to go to the premier with Chris, at lunch, and then when Chris planted a kiss on you to say goodbye?” Jared says with a little shock in his voice.

“What are you talking about?”


I know what he’s talking about, but I’ve got to deny anything and everything, even to my best friend.

“Nothing . . .” he says, trying to end it.

“What?” I press.

I need to know what he knows or at least know what he thinks.

“Nothing . . .” he repeats.

I drop pushing the subject, though I’m not sure why Jared brought up the topic of Joe’s reaction. What has he seen? What does he know? I might need to back off from being around Joe as much just to throw off my friends. I might have to pretend to want to go out to satisfy my itch. Damn it.

“I know Nathan might have said a few things that may be leading Chris to believe you’re interested or there’s a chance with you,” Jared comments, changing back to the main topic of discussion.

I outwardly wince.

“Nathan means well. He just wants everything to . . .” Jared continues before I cut him off.

“I know. Nathan’s worried that if Chris doesn’t think there’s a chance with me that he might not wear the suit and then there goes the opportunity of Nathaniel’s getting noticed on the red carpet,” I confirm Nathan’s intentions.

“Yeah . . . .” Jared confirms.

“Where’s my favorite person in the world?” Nathan’s voice sings from the living room.

“In here,” Jared replies.

“Okay, my second favorite person . . .” Nathan corrects himself as he appears in the doorway.

Jared and I just glance at him. “Uhh . . . here,” I comment, suspecting he’s referring to me.

“There you are,” he beams with excitement. “I love you!”

“I know. I love you too.”

“No. I really love you. I know how hard this is and will be with Chris and Joe . . . I mean . . .” he adjusts his words.

I see a look from Jared after Nathan says Joe’s name as he slides onto the bed on his belly.

“What about Joe . . .” I seek.

I know there’s something that they aren’t telling me.

“Nothing . . . I just meant Chris. I know you don’t like him like that and I really appreciate your willingness to . . .” his stops, searching for the right words.

“Lead Chris on so he won’t back out of the agreement,” I answer for him bluntly.

“Something like that,” he confirms.

“I’m doing it for you . . . because I love you and you are family. Plus, it’s a needed business transaction,” I comment.

“I know, and that’s why I love you,” Nathan repeats, hugging me. Nathan asks, “Please don’t be mad at me for . . . .”

“For what?”

“Continuing to lead Chris on,” he admits sheepishly.

“It’s okay . . .” my voice trails a little. “I’ll do my best to play along and say nothing until that night.”

Nathan and I don’t really say anything else after our quick verbal airing of the life-size elephant challenge that will be occurring until the premier is over. He stays with Jared and me, petting and playing with Sadie on occasion before giving Jared and I some much-needed friend time.

Jared hands me back my iPad, but stays with me for a long while. We don’t talk. We just fall back into our old habits of when we used to live together, sitting quietly just being there for the other. Jared runs his fingers through my hair; one of my favorite things he’s always done.

Needing some fresh air before bed, and still unable to fall asleep at eleven-thirty at night, I take Sadie out for a walk on Ocean Drive. Almost back to Nathan’s, my phone buzzes.

“Hi,” I answer, trying not to sound too excited.