Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(3)
Two
With a jolt, I wake to the sensation of Sadie getting up and rushing to the door. I must have fallen asleep while waiting for Jared. Still foggy, I jump up off the couch to let him in. I feel silly remembering when I’m halfway to the door that Jared has a key.
“Hey boss!” he exclaims when our eyes meet.
“I told you not to call me that,” I proclaim with a little uneasiness.
“Seriously? It’s been how many years now that I’ve been working for you and you still can’t stand it?” he queries me playfully, wraps me in a bear hug which is a little longer than usual, and kisses me on the top of the head.
He’s right. I know he’s right, but I still haven’t gotten used to it.
After a long comforting embrace, Jared bends down to his knees to give Sadie some love and attention. “What time did you get up today?” he asks, looking up while squatting.
“Just before four,” I respond trying to brush it off.
“Thanks for not texting then,” he says gratefully with a half smile pressed into his left cheek.
“I knew you’d threaten to quit if I did,” I reply playfully.
“Please . . . you’d never let me quit. You’d kill me before I had the chance to utter the words.”
“True,” I answer slyly.
His smile widens. He’s happy to see that my recovery from mornings like this is occurring much quicker than it had when we first met. It would take most of the day for the first year. As the months passed by, it would only take a few hours for the feeling of dread to fade. Now, an extra bout of physical activity works followed by borderline obsessive compulsion like today.
“Well, Kitten, you know I do love my job,” he declares as his smile stretches from ear to ear. “And, I’d hate to disappoint my fans.”
“You aren’t one to disappoint,” I say mischievously.
His smile is infectious as I return his perkiness.
Jared follows me to the second bedroom of my apartment which has been my office since I moved in a few years ago. Glancing at the clock, I’m surprised to see what time it is. When Jared said he was on his way, I didn’t expect him to be here this early. Reaching the front of my desk, I abruptly turn around to him and sheepishly announce, “I’m so sorry Jared. I didn’t realize what time it was. When you said you would be here soon, I didn’t think you would be here this early.”
I know my eyes aren't playing tricks as I check the clock a second time to confirm that it is seven forty-nine.
“Anything for my, Sex Kitten,” he declares.
“Seriously . . . ” I start to protest, but he cuts me off.
“Kitten, it’s no big deal. You’re my girl . . . but, don’t tell that to Maggie,” Jared affirms while chuckling at his last statement.
Maggie and I are the only girls who have any place in his heart. The rest is for all his male lovers and fans.
“Besides, you should have seen how dead the streets were from WeHo all the way here. I’ve never seen LA like this. It’s creepy,” he shares.
I laugh wholeheartedly. Everyone in and out of California complains about the traffic only because they drive during the busiest times. Not many people know when the roads are as still as the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.
Before I can muffle my laughter, Jared continues, “I just might have to start getting up earlier to travel like I’m King of the Road.”
“Please,” I mutter while trying to subdue my giggle and start shaking my head. “You will never come to the dark side.”
“Yeah . . . you’re right,” he agrees. “But, one can dream.”
Our giggles tapper offer as we sit on the white leather couch that’s up against the wall across from my desk.
Getting into business mode, I profess, “I know we have next quarter’s schedule already laid out and you’ve got the team way ahead of schedule for development and production . . . which I’m loving since it’s almost midway through this quarter . . . .”
“But . . .” Jared chimes in, seeing where I’m going. “You’ve already started the third quarter’s ideas.” He smiles, though I can see by the look in his eyes that his worry for me has returned.
“Actually, I have it completely finished,” I admit with certainty, but nervous for his reaction.
“Wow. Really?” He takes a breath to process my confession. “How the hell do you do it? I mean, I know how you do it, but . . . .” His eyes soften more as his voice trails off.
I desperately want to ease his concern and move forward.
“Years of practice,” I state begrudgingly as I try to brush it off like a joke, but to no avail.
I haven’t slept for more than five hours straight a night since the accident. My body shivers at the thought
“Besides, you know I get phenomenal, intense focus following . . .” my voice begins to trail.
Wanting to keep our attention on the positive, Jared redirects us both, “So, what did you come up with?”
Jared is such a loving friend above everything else. He hates to see me in pain. I’ve gotten really good at fooling him and Maggie over the years. Not that I want to lie to them, I just don’t want them to worry too much. I know what he’s hinting at when he tries to praise me for my uncanny attention and ability while leading me back to the distraction at hand. My extreme ability to give my absolute focus to anything I decide is my way of coping. I won’t admit it to anyone, not even Jared or Maggie, only myself on some occasions. I just avoid or put up more walls.