Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(19)

Nǎinai asks how Henry and Blue Eyes know each other. I guess she feels it’s only fair for them to share their story since Jared told ours. Before Henry begins his story, I look to Joe to watch for his reaction — nothing but smiles. Henry briefly explains that he and Joe had met their freshman year of college. They were roommates and have been like brothers ever since. Henry kept his story simple and short as well, obviously leaving out many details like where they went to school, what they were studying and other incidentals.

Later, as most of us finish eating, everyone continues sitting around talking and Jade joins me by sitting in my lap. She loves everyone in her family, but she usually singles me out at some point or another when we’re all together. Her legs are on either side of my lap as she faces me and twiddles with a lock of my hair.

“Do you think he likes his gift?” Jade asks me in Mandarin.

“Who?” I question to make sure I know to whom she’s referring.

“Joe silly,” She indicates with a giggle.

“I would think so. He’s wearing it isn’t he?” I encourage, smiling back at her.

“Yeah . . . but that doesn’t mean he likes it,” Jade states with a little disbelief.

“Then, ask him,” I politely instruct.

Jade turns her attention to Joe who is sitting across from me and poses her question.


“Yes. Very much so. I’ll keep it forever and ever,” Joe replies in Mandarin with a smile.

Everyone who hears Joe’s response stare in astonishment since he spoke Mandarin.

Crap. He knew what Nǎinai and I were talking about this whole time. It makes sense. No one ever asked him or Henry if he spoke Mandarin let alone ask him anything in Mandarin to hear his response. Everyone who didn’t know him just assumed he only spoke English.

I start to panic, knowing that he heard every single world Nǎinai was saying to me about him. I am mortified, but skillfully refrain from displaying my shock, other than my eyes widening momentarily. My mind races to recount everything that Nǎinai said and my responses. I’m safe with what I had said, nothing incriminating. Then, I get a little mad at how he kept himself composed and quiet the entire time.

“Well, look at that,” busts Nǎinai. “Blue Eyes does speak Mandarin.”

The rest of the families’ attention is on Joe now, not completely understanding Nǎinai’s declaration. If I’m not mistaken, Joe blushes slightly.

“Of course,” Mrs. Wú says nonchalantly. “Joe knew Mandarin before he and Henry met at in college.”

“And, here we thought he was just as quiet as you, Emma,” Jared chimes in.

I give Jared a slightly scolding look to avoid drawing to much attention my way. Thankfully, no one else adds their thoughts or opinions.

“I like to listen more than I talk,” Joe shares.

“Indeed,” confirms Mr. Wú. “Joe is very much like his father, John.”

“Well, he’s perfect for Emma,” Nǎinai proposes.

I inwardly wince and for some reason I look at Joe who is just grinning from ear to ear.

We sit for about another hour gathered around the dining table. After finishing her dessert, Jade gets daring and tries to steal some from Jared. She’s able to snitch a bite or two before they play a game of swords with their spoons. Jared usually lets Jade win, but not when it comes to Nǎinai homemade confections.

Still wanting more, Jade searches for a new target. “You gonna eat that?” She asks Joe in English.

“What?” he playfully inquires.

“That,” she says, pointing to the rest of his rice pudding. “Are you going to finish it?”

“Yes,” He smirks. “Why?”

“Doesn’t look like you’re eating it,” Jade states.

“I am . . . slowly,” Joe answers as he takes a small scoop and surrounds it with his gorgeous lips.

Jade laughs a little as she gives Joe a devilish look. He pulls his bowl closer to himself as his grin stretches outward. Kneeling on my legs, Jade gathers more courage and leans across the table, stretching her right arm out holding a spoon. Joe pulls his bowl in just a bit more, takes a spoonful to his mouth very slowly as his eyes shift to me for a few seconds and then back to Jade as she reaches farther. This has turn into a full on game of the battle of wits and I’m curiously watching to see who wins. Jade has been know to win simply by persistence.

Unable to reach without drawing attention from Kim or Peter, Jade backs away and slowly creeps off of my lap. Joe watches her out of the corner of his eye while he peers at me. My eyes dart back and forth between him and Jade’s movements. Joe shifts in his seat which gives Jade a clear shot to his rice pudding, pretending he doesn’t see her.

Last second, after Jade scopes some up on her spoon, Joe grabs her arm, startling her a little. “Hey,” he says, laughing and smiling.

She giggles in return as he raises her spoon to his mouth. “Hey!” Jade says softly as not to get caught by her parents.

Joe is obviously pleased with himself for tricking her.

“Take it,” he says to her reassuringly. “I’m done. You can have it.”

Jade beams with happiness as she takes the bowl quickly to make sure he wasn’t still teasing. She returns to my lap to enjoy her sweet victory.

Joe’s watches Jade as she enjoys his leftovers. Several times, Joe looks up at me before noting, “I have a niece Rey’s age and a nephew Jet’s age.”