Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(143)
The uncontrollable urge to pee rises to the point where I can no longer hold it while waiting for Joe to find me. I hurry with the hopes of him standing in his room waiting for me. Regrettably, no one is there, not even Sadie. Where is she? She followed me into the bedroom.
I tentatively make my way back to the dining room and find everyone talking freely. Sitting back down, I smile and make eye contact with everyone as I listen in on the new topic at hand. To show my respect and that there are no hard feelings, I do add a comment or question from time to time on the various subjects.
We all continue to talk late into the evening, eventually moving from the dining room to the living room. Joe graciously plays the piano on occasion, even when smaller conversations take place. Seeing Pop-Pop yawn a few times, Jared suggests we make our way home. Jared, Nathan and Pop-Pop drive Sadie and I home since it’s already well after ten. The three of them join Sadie and me up in my apartment, giving Pop-Pop a quick tour of the place as well as use of the restroom.
After saying farewell to my family, I strip down and hop into the tub for a relaxing bath. Roughly ten minutes later — I know because of the three songs that just finished playing, my phone chirps.
“Hi,” I greet in a relaxed tone.
“Hi, beautiful,” he soothingly returns. “I’m just checking in.”
“About what?”
“Earlier, at dinner,” he admits.
“Ohh. Yeah. I’m fine. Thanks,” I offer.
“Really?” he searches.
“Yeah,” I let out on a sigh.
“Jared and them still there?” he investigates.
“No, they left a few minutes ago,” I reply.
“What are you doing?” he seeks.
“What am I usually doing this time of night when you call?”
I can feel him smile as silence falls upon our conversation as usual. Neither one of us really needing to talk at the moment; just enjoying hearing the other one breathe. By now a few thoughts of Joe joining me are entertained, but with it being that time of the month, I have trouble envisioning it fully.
“I’ll let you go,” he surprisingly states.
“Oh, okay,” I reply, trying to curb my shock.
“I just wanted to make sure you are okay,” he kindly enforces.
“Yeah,” I say, not knowing what else to utter.
“Goodnight, beautiful,” his voice sings, resonating throughout my entire body. “See you tomorrow.”
“Yes. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Joe.”
Thirty Seven
The next morning I jump right into my regular morning routine. By eight-forty-five, I am walking up to Joe’s penthouse, without Sadie. He insisted on picking me up, but I refused. I need the movement after plugging away half of the early morning on the computer for Raven Media and finalizing things for our meeting — working out got pushed to the side for later today.
With the warm weather, having this somewhat of a business meeting with Joe and his father and knowing that I’ll be with Maggie for the rest of the day taking care of wedding things, I put on a cute floral dress that fits my body and flairs out slightly just below my hips to the tops of my knees. I opted out for jewelry other than my moonstone necklace and I’ve got a simple, white Coach bag and silver strappy Jimmy Choo heels on.
After Anna greets Sadie and me at the door, she leads me into the living room to wait for Joe and Mr. and Mrs. Covelli.
In less than a minute, Joe is walking briskly to greet me. “Why didn’t you let me come and get you?” Joe comments, moving closer.
“I told you that I needed the walk,” I reply impassively.
“You shouldn’t have walked dressed like that,” he contends with a hint of concern. He leans in for a kiss on the cheek while placing his right hand on my hip.
“This is Pasadena and it’s broad daylight, Joe. I’m not going to get mugged or anything. Besides, even if someone tried, you know . . .” I begin before he cuts me off.
“You know what I’m talking about,” he presses.
“I’ll consider it for the future,” I announce, wanting to change the subject and taking a step back, hearing footsteps in the hallway.
“You look lovely, by the way,” he adds sweetly in a low voice.
“Thanks.”
It’s hard to stay miffed with those gorgeous blue eyes staring back at me.
“Don’t you look stunning,” Mrs. Covelli reports with a smile. She continues moving towards me.
This time, ready for a friendly greeting, I initiate a hug first. “Mrs. Covelli, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Please, Emma, call me Elaine,” she reminds.
“My apologies. I’ll do my best to remember Mrs., I mean Elaine,” I return.
“There. See. That’s better,” she generously announces.
“You look lovely as well,” I praise.
She’s wearing a stunning pearl white business suit like dress, golden heels and accented the outfit with a thick gold necklace and matching earrings and bracelet.
“Why, thank you. You’re too kind,” she accepts graciously. “John will be out in just a moment. He had a quick call he needed to take.” Gesturing towards the couches, “Please sit. Would you like anything to drink?”