Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(43)

“What’s the difference?” Joe investigates with avid curiosity.

“One is you jump how you want in the different areas. Only Emma likes the classes,” Jared explains.

“I like the classes too! I’ve gotten much better,” Nathan interjects a little defensively. “You don’t like them because you don’t jump enough.”

Jared narrows his eyes at Nathan in a playful manner as he decides how he wants to continue, “Free jump is better for newbies. That way you don’t get scared off by it. There’s the pit and everything. You’ll see tomorrow!”

“A pit?” Joe questions.

“The pit is awesome,” Maggie confirms.

“Sounds interesting,” Henry comments with an earnest smile.

Our desserts arrive and our conversations come to a halt, save everyone commenting on which dessert they like better since we’re all kind of sharing. I got the stone fruit blackberry crisp ala mode, Jared and Nathan are sharing the Faux-stess Cupcake, Henry ordered chocolate ice cream and Joe got the salted caramel ice cream.

“Would you like some, Emma?” Joe asks, pushing his bowl towards me after the others already had a bite.

Before I can even answer, Jared interrupts, “Don’t give her any. That’s her favorite and she’ll eat it all.”

“Gee thanks,” I return with slightly squinted eyes.

Nathan insinuates, “If you’re lucky, maybe she’ll eat you all up too!” Nathan roars with laughter while Maggie giggles and Joe blushes.

I see contention in Jared’s face knowing Nathan went a little too far. Henry has a somewhat serious look on his face that appears he’s hoping I would confirm Nathan’s statement in the positive.

Smirking and taking another bite of my dessert, I comment, “He wishes.”

My statement prompts Joe to blush more as a smile dances on his face and I tingle with delight. A little playful banter never hurt — or did it? My playfulness causes an eager look in Maggie’s eyes as she craves for my response to be true. I disappoint with a head shake as Nathan and Jared almost choke on their cupcake. I nearly snort my bite through my nose as I watch Jared and Nathan.

After lunch, we head toward the Third Street Promenade.

The walk allows everyone’s meals to settle, sparking a groan from Jared. “Ooh, I ate too much.”

“Good thing we’re going jumping tomorrow,” Nathan nudges.

“What are we in the mood to do?” Maggie inquires.

“A movie?” Nathan suggests.

Everyone nods in agreement.

We start heading past the shops with Jared and Nathan in front, followed by Maggie and Henry, and Joe, Sadie and me bringing up the rear. Each couple is holding hands other than Joe and I.

“What about Sadie?” Joe asks with a little concern.

“She’s got her service dog vest on, so she can go anywhere,” I answer.

I don’t always like to use the vest, but it definitely helps for long days when I’m away from home and don’t want to be concerned about leaving her locked up all by herself.

“Oh, that’s what that is,” Joe says. “Why do you need that?”

“When I adopted Sadie, I immediately signed her up for classes. She’s fully trained and certified, not because I need it, but because I wanted people to look at her breed differently as well as be able to take her anywhere I go,” I reply.

“Wow. That’s awesome,” Joe says. “I haven’t had a dog since I was a teenager. I just couldn’t get another one after Duke died.” Joe catches me trying to conceal a giggle. “What’s so funny?”

Crap, I just got caught. “Oh nothing . . .” I try to reply, subduing a laugh. “I’m sorry about your dog dying . . . it’s just that . . . I can’t believe you named him Duke.”

“Why is that funny?” he says as I curl my lips into my mouth.

“Nothing . . .” I mutter.

“Just say it,” he insists. “Get it out.”

“Is Duke short for something?” I say with a little more control.

“No. Why?” he pushes.

“For some strange reason, I pictured that you named him Duke Wellington III or something,” I answer, loosing control and giggling.


Joe shakes his head and says, “Just Duke. Why would you think that?”

Shrugging my shoulders, I smile and declare, “I don’t know. I guess I just expected a weird name like that. You are a Manhattanite.”

Joe flirts, “So you’re checking up on me?”

“Just making sure you and your friend aren’t creepy,” I poke.

“Creepy?”

“Yeah. Creepy. I’ve heard stories about all you boys who come from billionaire families. Weird names and fetishes,” I retort.

I know I’m right and he knows it too.

Rolling his eyes at me with a smile, he mentions, “There are a few creepy ones. I’ll give you that. But, Henry and I are not them.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” I quip back.

Joe and I walk in silence for the next block, only looking back and forth at each other, smirking while watching Maggie, Henry, Jared and Nathan. Joe’s fun, not like other straight guys I’ve dealt with or the weird friends of Maggie’s ex-boyfriends. We actually can have a conversation and he doesn’t get on my nerves.