Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(153)
“Sure,” I reply.
“Promise?” he checks.
“Yes,” I confirm to assure him, sealing the agreement with a kiss.
A weak smile dances briefly across his face. “Good.” He takes another long look at me before saying, “See you soon, beautiful.”
“See you soon, Joe.”
I watching him swiftly pull away and head down the stairs. As he rounds the next flight, our eyes meet and Joe takes a deep breath in before continuing down. My eyes follow him, trying to catch a glimpse, even when he’s officially out of sight.
Forty
As the second week of June begins, I’m home alone with Sadie as Maggie heads back to Henry. Maggie and I had sex a few times after our cycles stopped, but it was never enough for me. I’ve never had that challenge before with her. If anyone can help with the itch, Maggie can, especially after a few intense sessions. Masturbation is not helping either; it only makes me hornier. I need to f*ck a man — not just any man. I need to f*ck Joe Covelli.
By the end of the week, I’ve been able to get a lot done with work and the wedding for Maggie, despite the distraction of my itch. I’ve had to masturbate at least two times a day, every day, especially after talking to Joe at night. We talk and text every day since he left, but it’s not enough. Joe’s still in New York and has been bouncing around the country for a few meetings. He tries to coax me into joining him on one of his trips, but I can’t take the risk. The risk of my friends knowing, let alone the risk of being completely and utterly pleasantly distracted by him and his body, not to mention all of the time and attention I have to give to the businesses and the wedding. Having sex with Joe is definitely going to happen. It’s just a matter of when our schedules line up and when we will not be interrupted. Strike another rule off the list.
It’s now halfway through the third week in June and I’m going crazy. This weekend is Maggie’s bridal shower and Joe has yet to come back. One would think that we’ve already had sex with the way my body is reacting to him not being around. Why didn’t I sleep with him already? I would be on to the next toy by now.
Jared’s been doing a great job taking over a lot more responsibilities for Naturally Me and he’s hired Pop-Pop as his assistant, teaching him the ropes. They were over yesterday to squeeze in some additional filming so Pop-Pop can see how the show runs and operates. We’ve already had a steady increase in numbers in gross income from the initial launch of the pet division with Sadie. All of the preliminary social media advertising completely paid off. The first month when the soft launch for the pet division occurred back in May boosted our monthly profits by ten percent and they are now up almost fifteen percent for June.
Maggie’s being doing an awesome job juggling things between Raven Media and her wedding. I keep her up to date on what Brandon, Hannah and I have been doing with the software and what the next steps are once I meet up with the Covellis to sign the paperwork. Maggie has reported that many of the independent contractors were excited to hear the changes that will be made, especially since they will not be losing their jobs. They all will be shifted around to assimilate to new positions that Maggie’s already been training them on as well as being informed that they have an increase in pay coming once the switch occurs. Until the paperwork is officially signed, and the wedding is over, the Covellis and I can’t move forward with moving into a property, however, the Covellis have already begun negotiations with one particular property.
Nathan has been feverishly working on Chris’, Jimmy’s and Allen’s suits and my dress for the premier. Once Chris heads back to Nathaniel’s for the first official fitting, the Raven Media team assigned to Nathaniel’s can start promoting in advance that Chris will be wearing a custom piece designed by Nathan. Most movie stars don’t advertise in advance who they might be wearing, so I’m a little concerned that Nathan may have promised something to Chris on my behalf. When I ask Nathan about when he needs me for my first fitting he just tells me not yet. I’m not sure what to make of his response, but I’m glad that he isn’t needing me to be there with him right now. I don’t want to run into Chris. The less, I see Chris the better.
Saturday early morning, Sadie and I are already in San Marino at Kim’s house making sure things are ready for the bridal shower. Henry gladly keeps Maggie occupied since he’s still making up time from not seeing her much even with him being back. Jared and Nathan are already on their way. The caterers are scheduled to arrive within the next thirty minutes to start prepping in the kitchen. Amelia joins us and is a great asset to the team, making sure everything is taken care of and ready.
Kim has a beautiful home, a house I wouldn’t mind living in. Being a successful naturopath married to a just as successful Chinese medical doctor, with a joint practice, Kim and the Chang family is in want for nothing. There are five bedrooms, four full baths, and two half baths laid out in a spacious rancher style home. Since the weather isn’t supposed to be too hot today, we’re able to have the tables set up on her back patio to entertain and host the bridal shower. With the slightly higher ceiling, adorned with several ceiling fans, she’s able to accommodate the seventy-five guests who are schedule to attend which includes us, Maggie’s family and many of Henry’s family who have stayed since the engagement party or who have recently arrived.