Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(23)

“I couldn’t send my friend in alone to possibly be slaughtered by you ladies now, could I?” Joe seems impressed with my quick wit and how I don’t easily falter at being provoked.

Enjoying that he’s playing along, I reply with a grin, “That or you’re a sadistic voyeur.”

“Maybe I’m both,” Joe says, clearly trying to lure me in further.

“Regardless, you are a means to an end. A piece in the game, the mystery,” I say, baiting him back.

“How am I a piece in the mystery?” Joe inquires while the look on his face exposes his desire to continue.

“One way to get to know someone is through the company he keeps,” I reveal.

“Interesting . . .” he says teasingly. “So you’re just using me?”

Is he flirting with me? I wonder if he’s in on Henry’s and Maggie’s little game. Oh honey, I can play this game for as long as you want.

“Exactly.” I honestly, but mischievously verify as my smirk expands a little and my eyebrows lift.

Joe chuckles a little as he reveals his full smile. God, is he sexy. I’m extremely attracted to this man, but I know my rules and boundaries and need to keep them in check. Nothing should come from this. I mean, nothing will come from this.

“I work with my father who owns a few businesses as well. I’m mostly familiar and currently working in real estate and hospitality,” Joe remarks with truthfulness in his voice. “However, I’m looking to branch out the family’s business assets with more modern industries like technology.”

“What areas of technology?” I inquire interested.

“Not sure. I’d like to have at least one division dedicated to renewable resources,” he replies.

I nod in response processing and enjoying our little game as well as cataloging all of his and Henry’s direct answers. His eyes narrow slightly as if he’s looking for something more in my response. Or, maybe he’s looking to see if he’s off the hook. I don’t reveal my intention, but I am rather curious as to the extent of his business knowledge and if he’s forward thinking or not. His brain is starting to pique my curiosity.

Maggie and Henry are on the edge of their seats watching us. When Maggie and I make eye contact, she gives me a look. It’s a look I’m all too familiar with that has so many meanings as she bites her lip and smiles with the inquisition that lays blatantly in her gaze. She’s never really seen me banter like this with a guy before and it looks like she’s reading way too much into it. Maggie frowns when I shake my head at her investigation. Pouting doesn’t work on me.

She tries to nonchalantly tip her head in Henry’s direction, knowing to move on. I smile at her, nodding reassuringly that this meeting is going well so far. Maggie always runs guys and potential boyfriends by me first. There has obviously been a slight change in the procedure since Henry and his family joined us for New Year’s, but I appreciate her still going through this boyfriend screening. None of her past boyfriends have passed my tests before, not that I would ever tell Maggie that, but Henry is showing some real promise.

She releases a breath as if she’s been holding it this whole time. The two men sitting with us watch Maggie and me intently, trying to decipher our nonverbal communication.


Kevin, one of the waiters who has been working at the Peking Wok since the restaurant opened comes over with menus for the guys. Maggie and I know the menu inside and out.

“Apologies for not getting to you sooner,” Kevin says to Joe and Henry.

“No worries, Kevin,” Maggie answers. “We were just getting more acquainted and they wouldn’t have had time to look at the menu.”

“Just let me know when you’re ready,” he instructs.

“Thank you,” Joe says followed by Henry.

Kevin nods and moves onto one of his other tables.

Maggie and I sit in silence for a few minutes to give Henry and Joe time to look over the menu. She and I exchange a few more nonverbal glances of conversation and I see both Joe and Henry looking back and forth from their menus to us as if they are going to miss something. It’s actually quite comical.

Before Kevin returns to take our order, Amy comes over with some water and tea. She’s obviously trying to see what’s happening. I bet she’s reporting back to M?qīn and F?qīn. I wish I knew what they thought about Henry and his parents. Trying to secure a return to the table, Amy asks us if anyone wants anything else to drink. Amy shows her disappointment when everyone courteously declines. I don’t feel too bad for her since I know Maggie will fill her in later anyway.

Prior to resuming the interrogation of my two victims, I purposefully don’t speak for several minutes just to torture them. I can see that I’m driving Maggie crazy with the look she’s giving me, but Joe and Henry seem to be playing it cool as I sip my tea.

“So, how did you two meet again?” I probe, finally starting the conversation with an easy and light question directed at Henry while nodding in Joe’s direction.

“We met our freshman year in college at Dartmouth,” Henry replies, happy to resume our conversation.

Maggie sighs with relief as if I was going to ask something really invasive or rude.

Kevin returns to take our order, ceasing our chat momentarily.

“Dartmouth,” I repeat, having the name dance around in the arena of my game before continuing on.