Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(39)

“Sorry . . . I, uh . . . that didn’t come out right,” he stutters.

Joe seems sincere, so I let him off the hook. “It’s okay,” I say, hoping he doesn’t inquire why. I grab Sadie’s ball and look to Joe, “I’m taking her out to play a little?”

“Do you mind if I join you ladies?” he asks.

“Sure,” I return, not sure if it is a good idea.

We start walking in the opposite direction from the rest of our group. There are fewer people, so it’s easier to give Sadie more room to run and fetch. We walk quietly all the way to the water’s edge tossing the ball for Sadie each time she brings it back, staying far enough away from the ocean since it’s chilly.

“I didn’t mean to be rude earlier . . .” Joe starts as he scratches his head. “. . . when I was asking if we should split you and Maggie up for teams.”

“It’s okay. No big deal,” I reply.

It’s obvious that Joe means what he says. The trait of honesty seems fully seated in his personality and I appreciate that. This idea only bothers me since my attraction for him is more than I anticipated.

He continues as he still seems a little rattled, “I didn’t think you girl’s couldn’t play . . . I . . . .”

“Don’t worry about it,” I reassure him. “No hard feelings.”

This brings a relieved smile to his face as he nods.

I take a few more steps before saying timidly, “Please don’t think I’m . . . not a nice person.”


“Why would I think that?” he questions with his eyebrows raised before picking up the ball this time to throw if for Sadie.

“I know I can seem a little gruff and mean, and I wasn’t very nice when we first met and . . . .”

Cutting me off, Joe turns towards me to respond, “Not at all. I can see that you’re just protective of your friends. I admire that.”

My eyes soften under his gaze. “Thanks.”

Aside from my sexual attraction to Joe, I actually feel very comfortable with him. It’s a similar comfort I felt with Jared and Nathan when I first met them, though I know Joe is not gay. What is happening?

We decide to sit in the sand after a little bit as Sadie bounces into the water chasing the waves on occasion and then runs back to us. Anytime there is silence between us, it isn’t awkward for me and it doesn’t appear that way for him.

“No interrogation for me today,” he teases as he bumps my shoulder.

I get the feeling that he wants me to question him. “No . . . not now, anyway,” I reply with a smile, aware of the bait he’s laid out for me.

“Do you mind if I ask a few questions?”

I inwardly cringe at the thought, but relay an expression as if I’m considering it.

“Nothing too intrusive. Just a few little questions,” he nudges gently.

“I guess . . .” I say with my voice trailing off as our eyes meet.

He hesitates for a moment, considering on what question to ask first. “Henry is like one of my brothers. I only want to see him happy. So, I guess . . . I was just wondering, from your perspective, what does their relationship mean to Maggie?”

I’m shocked at his question. He seems protective of Henry like I am of Maggie. I like that a lot, but feel defensive of Maggie at his subtle implication.

“She’s not a heart breaker or a gold digger, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Bashfully, he responds, “I wasn’t trying to imply . . . .”

I cut him off before he can continue, “It’s okay . . . Maggie is the type of girl who falls for guys easily just to have her heart broken.” After another beat, I add, “I can see there is a connection between the two of them. A connection I’ve never seen her have with any other guy. . . .” My thoughts and where they are leading cause me to stop short of saying them out loud.

“Good. I mean . . . I’m sorry. That came out wrong,” Joe replies while trying to recover.

He really is trying to be respectful towards both of them. It’s sweet and I find myself liking him more.

“Relax,” I say with a little chuckle which seems to ease him.

I’m excited to hear we both feel the same way about our friends.

After a few more minutes of quiet, Joe asks, “So, should I be worried about your boyfriend seeing us talking. If he’s the jealous type?”

He just went there and the funny thing is that I’m not really surprised or offended. “No. No boyfriend.”

“Really?” he declares with awe. “I can’t believe for one second that a woman as beautiful as yourself doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

He’s totally hitting on me and I’m enjoying it more than I should.

Trying to control myself, I reply, “Really?!”

“Well, I’d ask about a girlfriend, but that was ruled out at New Year’s by Nǎinai,” he jokes.

Carefully considering how I want to answer, I glare at him with a grin before responding. “Do you really think flirting with me will help your case?”

“Is it working?” Joe inquires with a large smile.

He’s clearly not afraid to hide it.

“No,” I sternly reply, holding my ground. “Besides, I don’t date.”