Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(22)

“They are expanding Naturally Me in the third quarter to add a pet division. Jared had the awesome idea and they’ve already been making arrangements for it. Sadie’s going to be a star,” Maggie adds enthusiastically.

She has never been known not to be enthusiastic.

“Naturally Me?” Joe and Henry question at the same time.

“That’s the name of her wellness website,” Maggie interjects before I have the chance to comment.

I see a look of revelation from both Henry and Joe that this is typical behavior for Maggie as I just sit patiently and wait for her to finish.

“I like the name,” Joe firmly states, widening his smile. “So, I would speculate that Jared manages Naturally Me for you since Maggie manages . . .” he pauses, obviously looking for the name of my media company.

If Joe is making an assumption that Jared manages Naturally Me, I hardly believe that it’s from just finding out that Maggie managers Raven Media. My friends must have revealed some information after I left on New Year’s.

“Raven Media,” Maggie answers Joe’s lingering question of the name of the company.

“Sounds like we have a smart business woman in our presence, Henry,” Joe express with interest and intrigue.

“I think so,” agrees Henry.

Maggie smiles at us speaking freely and sits quietly hoping it will continue. I think she’s pleased with herself. She thinks I don’t know what she’s doing. Should I play along? It’s still up for debate.

“Do you have your MBA? If so, did you attend or are you attending UCLA? I’d love to get a fresh perspective on the school and it’s program,” Henry excitedly asks me.

“No. I hear it’s a great school, though. It’s in the top tier of MBA colleges,” I politely respond without giving any indication to the extent of my educational background. “Why?”

Now it’s my turn to ask some questions.

“Joe and I just started at UCLA this year. One semester under us isn’t enough to know. I figured if you, or anyone you know has attended, that might give us some insight or assistance,” Henry answers. His personality seems a bit like Maggie’s, eager, enthusiastic and very friendly.

“No. Sorry,” I apologize. “Are you required to work and study at the same time?”

“Yes, though classes aren’t intrusive to our work schedule. A lot of the classes and teachings are based on us already having experience working with a company to a certain degree. The learning is supposed to work in tandem with our everyday tasks at our jobs and vice versa. Kind of like work and use what you learn at the same time kind of thing and share ideas and experiences in class.”

Henry is definitely a talker like Maggie. This is good. I can keep my questions simple and flowing and he’ll just keep talking, revealing more.

“Interesting,” I reply.

I am genuinely interested, but I want to know more about this guy who my friend has the hots for.

“So what companies do you both work for?” I inquire.

“I work with my parents in the family business. We have several businesses overall, but our main industry of business is manufacturing. We have facilities in both China and here in the US and they create a variety of products or product parts from vehicles, to clothing, to technology.” he answers openly.

I can tell from the way he speaks and his body language that he’s happy to share. I don’t know if this is just who he is yet or if Maggie preempted our meeting by warning him of what Maggie and Jared call Emma Interrogation.

Silence falls upon us momentarily. Actually, I’m waiting for Joe to answer, but the hush drives Maggie crazy and she clearly doesn’t realize what I’m trying to do.

“Emma never went to college!” she nearly shouts.

“Really?” counters Henry as Joe sits back with attentiveness.

“Yep. She’s one smart cookie. All self taught,” she offers.


For a brief moment, I wince at the thought that she might go into more detail. Thankfully she doesn’t.

“Obviously,” Henry agrees, appearing to want to know more, but doesn’t press.

“And you?” I challenge Joe since he didn’t respond after Henry while I try to divert any other question away from myself.

One way to know a guy is through his friends, and I’m not letting Joe sit on the sidelines during this meeting. Besides, I figure that he’s getting to know me just by sitting back and watching Henry and I talk, and I refuse to be opening up that much and let him keep most of the mystery.

“What about me?” Joe returns playfully, grinning more.

His lips are so inviting. Focus Emma, focus.

“Yes, you. What company do you work for?” I press politely.

I know the game he’s playing. It’s the very same game I’m playing. This is going to be fun and I can see from the looks on their faces that Maggie and Henry are already enjoying themselves as this moves along. They are trying to set Joe and me up. I’m onto them.

“I thought this meeting was for you and Henry to get to know each other?” he questions, trying to avoid answering as a sparkle shines in his eye.

Yep. He’s definitely toying with me.

“Well, then I would have to ask what you are doing here?” I firmly push back.

At least someone can keep up with the witty banter.