Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(29)

Molly returns promptly with our bottle, chilled in a bucket of ice and four glasses which temporarily halts any further conversations about Nathan’s news. She hands us each a glass before proceeding to pop open the bottle. Maggie and I get winks as Molly pours our glasses which both Jared and Nathan witness.

After Molly returns our bottle to the bucket and leaves, Jared inquires with loads of curiosity, “What was that?”

“What?” I question, denying everything.

“The look between you and Molly?” Nathan adds.

“She’s a sweetheart!” Maggie expresses with some naivety in her tone.

“She is a sweetheart, but I said what was that not who was that?” Jared clarifies.

He’s insistent on getting an answer — I wonder if I gave a look without realizing it.

“What was what?” Maggie questions as she’s lost to what Jared and I are discussing.

“Emma just flirted with a lesbian who is lusting after your two beauties,” Jared says, confronting the small elephant in the room that Maggie missed completely.

Nathan doesn’t comment, he just sits back and watches while sipping his champagne as if we’re live television.

“What?! I didn’t know she was a lesbian,” Maggie utters with genuine astonishment before stopping and thinking for a moment, considering the events that took place.

“I’d do her,” I state very matter-of-factly, glancing in Molly’s direction and take a sip of my wine.

“She’s hot, I wouldn’t mind giving her a go,” Maggie chimes in, finally catching up with the conversation.

“You’d screw almost anyone right now given your current state, Kitten,” Jared affirms.

“Yep. I won’t deny it,” I confirm before taking a sip of champagne.

The three of them crack up at my revealing statement of need.

Trying to contain his laughter, Nathan suggests, “Maybe we should get a VIP room so you two can go at it unless you want to make it a threesome with Maggie.”

“That would be fun!” Maggie exclaims in excitement.

“Don’t tempt me,” I scold with a devilish grin.

My statement gets more laughter which is borderline hysteria from Jared and Nathan. Maggie only blushes at the image as she considers the idea.

Suddenly a voice from over my right shoulder chimes in, startling me. “What’s so funny?”

I pause for a very brief moment to compose myself before looking back and find Caleb Henderson just two feet away.

Before any of us answer, Caleb is bending at the waist and kisses me on my right cheek. God, even he smells divine. So many choices and temptations tonight.

“I haven’t seen you in a while. It’s wonderful to have you back,” Caleb confesses as his attention stays glued on me.

“It’s nice to be back,” Jared shares.

“Definitely!” Nathan chimes in.

“Is it just the four of you tonight?” inquires Caleb.

“Yes,” Maggie confirms.

“I have a small group of friends here whom would love to meet you ladies. Why don’t you join us in the VIP room?” Caleb persuades us knowing that Jared and Nathan will be the first to bite at the offer.

“Sure!” replies Nathan before I can even muster an excuse.

I grimace at Nathan once he can no longer avoid eye contact with me.

“Well, then follow me. I’ll have Molly bring up your bottle, which is on me of course.” Pleased with Nathan’s response, Caleb directs us to the stairs that are on the other side of the room. He ushers Maggie with his left hand while placing his right on the small of my back, which makes me a little uncomfortable and disappointingly aroused, as we ascend the stairs.

Thankfully, Caleb wasn’t joking and actually did have several friends in a VIP room. They are all men and perk up at the sight of Maggie and me arriving. Before introductions are made, I notice a peculiar look in the their eyes and glance over to Caleb. I catch him slightly shaking his head.


Did he just try to claim me in front of his friends? Seriously?! Oh no! I don’t think so. I am not anyone’s property.

Seeing the look on my face, Jared immediately knows what had just happened. Before Jared has the chance to swoop in to diffuse the situation, Caleb introduces Maggie and me first to Chris, Robert, Elliot, and Marcus, all of whom I am familiar with, not in the sense that I know them all personally, but because they are actors with varying degrees of success. I do remember meeting Chris two different times a while back. We met at Ayana’s opening the first time and he still looks just as yummy and possibly even more muscular for a recent job.

Maggie shakes each of their hands and beams while I just smile with a seductive look in my eye towards all of them — especially Chris. Each of the handsome men seem a little apprehensive when greeting me, not because I didn’t shake their hands, but most likely because of Caleb.

Without restraint, Jared steps forward to greet them, introducing himself and Nathan while grabbing a hold of my hand as I reach out to him. If anyone is going to stake any kind of claim, I would only allow Jared. The men’s faces ease a little though still confused by Jared’s and my actions.

Lightening up the mood, even though she was completely unaware of what had just happened, Maggie starts gushing over the four new acquaintances. She may be interested in Henry, but that isn’t going to stop her from flirting and chatting — I am proud of her in this moment for doing so.