Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(44)

“Which movie?” Jared asks the group when we arrive at the theater.

“Romantic comedy!” Maggie shouts.

“That’s all you ever want to watch,” I complain a little.

“I like being happy and they make me happy. So, that’s my vote,” she replies, sticking her tongue out at me.

“Mature,” I bait, sticking my tongue out back at her.

“What do you boys like?” Nathan asks Henry and Joe.

“I’ll watch anything,” Henry says.

“Me too. I like romantic comedies,” Joe adds, taunting me.

“How about a sci-fi?” I suggest with a fake smile.

“I’m picking or else we’ll never agree,” Jared announces.

Jared gets tickets for the next showing of a romantic comedy that starts in just over an hour. I give him a look when he hands me my ticket. Jared seems pleased with himself.

Not excited with the movie selection, I hint, “Remember, paybacks are still coming for earlier and this just adds to the pile.”

He gives me a pleading hug and kiss in an attempt to sway me.

We bounce between a few stores to kill some time. Maggie and Henry are talking the entire time, practically ignoring us. Nathan is checking out some of the clothing stores to see if they hint to anything about the upcoming Summer Season as well as to get some ideas for his women’s line.

“Try this on for me, please,” Nathan says, shoving a dress to my chest.

“Seriously?” I whine softly.

“Yes, seriously. I need to see it on a woman’s body and your body happens to be right here,” he directs. “Jared will watch Sadie. Go.” He shoos me away as Jared takes Sadie’s leash and sits on the padded bench in front of the dressing room.

Joe stays nearby as Maggie and Henry are lagging behind in their own little world.

Rolling my eyes, I grab the dress and head to the changing room. “I need a different size,” I state without coming out of the room once I have the dress on.

“Why?” Nathan inquires. “It should fit your proportions.”

Other than myself, Nathan is the only one who would know my size.

“It does, all but one,” I wince as he opens the door, exposing me to everyone in the store.

“Damn girl, did they get bigger!” Nathan shouts as his eyes inflate and he pokes one of my boobs repeatedly.

I swat his hand away as I blush a little. “No. It’s the dress,” I say.

“You look hot, Emma!” Jared announces loudly. “Doesn’t she look hot, Joe?”

I blush as every straight man within earshot stares. Joe doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t have to since his eyes are glued to my chest and the expression on his face says everything. Good thing I’m completely comfortable with my body.

Nathan requested for me to try on a black halter dress that accentuates my breasts, has a triangular cutout below my boobs causing my upper stomach to be slightly exposed, fits snuggly to my frame all the way down just below my knees and has a deep open back.

“Put these on,” Nathan says handing me a pair of black platform pumps.

“I don’t wear platform heels,” I demand, refusing to take them and crossing my arms in front of my chest. Realizing that the gesture only makes my breasts pop out more, I immediately lower them.

I never where platforms. I don’t like the look and to me they look like stripper shoes.

“Fine,” he says, putting them back and grabbing open-toed stilettos.

I take the shoes from his hand, and hold onto his shoulder while slightly bending forward, lifting one foot at a time behind me to get them on. Nathan takes my hand and leads me to a mirror a few feet away. I stand with my hands on my hips as he inspects every seam. He never touches me or the dress, except to gently guide my hands up from my hips momentarily. Snatching his phone out of his pocket, he takes a few pictures, both from a distance and up close.


After what feels like an eternity I ask, “Are you done?”

“Yep. Thanks,” Nathan confirms.

I rush into the changing room and hand him the shoes and dress once they’re off.

I’m in the midst buttoning up my pants when Jared says, “You should totally get the dress, Emma.”

I wait to respond until I’m finished changing and leaving the dressing room. “No.”

“Why not? Every girl needs a couple of little, black dresses in her closet,” Jared challenges with furrowed brows.

“I have enough black dresses,” I calmly reply.

It’s true. I like dresses, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t really need another black one.

“You don’t have that black dress,” Jared contends.

“I wouldn’t wear it to the places we go,” I argue, thought my statement is not completely true.

“I bet Joe could think of a few places to take you to get you in and out of that dress,” Nathan pushes with a devilish smile. “Right, Joe?”

Clearing his voice and blushing, Joe mutters, “Definitely.” His eyes go to me and then he quickly looks away as he scratches his head.

This is not good. I know we’ve had some playful banter, but it feels like it’s gone beyond innocent flirting. Okay. Maybe it hasn’t been completely innocent, but it’s crossing a line I’m not comfortable with. A line that shouldn’t be crossed, because if it is, I break my rules. My rules cannot be broken.