Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(51)

“Wanna go?” Henry quietly mutters to Joe.

“Sure,” Joe replies, altering his expression.

Once showered and dressed, everyone eats in silence for the first five minutes as they shovel food into their mouths. The guys have a glazed look in their eyes that slowly dissipates with each bite. They must have been really hungry. Maggie and I glance back and forth to each other as we watch in amazement and giggle. Chatter suddenly erupts and the rest of the meal is lively.

After cleaning up the dishes, everyone slumps on the u-shaped sectional in the living room. Jared and Nathan cuddle in the middle. Henry and Maggie are on the love-seat side and Joe offers me the chaise as he positions himself closer to Nathan. Nathan puts the television on to minimize the need to talk and to allow those who need it to sleep.

I wake first around an hour later to five sleeping bodies and a wide awake Sadie. I only needed to nap because of the rocky morning from the nightmare. If I had my full five hours of straight sleep, I would have been the only one awake the whole time. It’s comical seeing all of these grown adults comfortably asleep around each other.

I take Sadie out for a little walk around the block to stretch before resuming my place on the couch with a book. Instead of laying with me like before, Sadie chooses a different spot and places her head on Joe’s chest this time. I sit and stare at Sadie and Joe in amazement, still puzzled by her interactions with him. He breathes rhythmically as his stunningly handsome features remain soft and sweet. I wonder if he knows how striking he is, not just physically, but also his personality. Anytime we were out in public this past weekend, I watched women of all ages gawk at him and he never seems to notice. His lips and eyes are the most intriguing parts, especially when he smiles.

Suddenly, Joe shifts and I peel my eyes off of him in just enough time to pretend that I’ve been reading.

“Hey,” he whispers in a low, sexy greeting.

I make sure I pause for just a brief second before looking at him. “Hey,” I softly reply.

Our eyes stay locked on each other for a few seconds before I return my eyes to my book. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him inspect the sleeping bodies around us while he scratches Sadie. Continuing to pretend to read, my attention follows him as he gets up, stretches and heads into the bedroom.

“Hey,” he whispers to get my attention and tilts his head toward the patio door.

I half smile and I nod.

Sadie, Joe and I hang out on the patio in the late February, warm, Southern California air while our friends rest. I eye him as he moves the two lounge chairs closer together before gesturing for me to sit.

“So we can talk more easily and not wake them up,” he suggests.

I internally question his actions and find myself flattered and curious to see what else he tries.

“So, how are you liking California?” I ask politely after sitting down.

Love it,” he eagerly replies. “The weather is awesome, the people are friendly and the food is great. What’s not to love?”

“Do you miss the East Coast?” I continue.

With a smile, Joe answers, “Yes and no.” He pauses before continuing, “I don’t miss the weather, but I do miss my family.”


Smirking, I tease, “So, you’re a family man, huh?”

His grin widens. “Yes.” Taking his turn, he asks, “Do you miss it?”

I feel the expression on my face change as I breathe in for a second before responding, “No.”

“I guess you wouldn’t really, not if you don’t have anything to go back to. I understand why,” he states with soft sincerity.

“Nope,” I agree.

“So, what’s your favorite color?” he says in a playful voice.

He’s obviously trying to keep things light and I appreciate the courtesy. It’s like he knows when to stop pushing automatically.

“Why?” I say with a giggle, not sure what he’s trying to do with a question like that.

“Just figured it would be a valid question. Not too intense, I hope . . .” he replies.

I contemplate a second before answering, “Blue. And, you?”

For some reason, the color of his eyes is alluring and the exact color of blue I’m referring to. I don’t dare tell him.

“Same,” he answers without hesitation.

I tease, “I don’t think we can get any more intimate than that.”

His grin extends from ear to ear before he agrees, “I don’t think so either. So, where do you live?”

He’s fishing for more information about me, which for some reason, is exhilarating. I’m not sure if I want to tell him, but I know that it will come up eventually if Maggie’s and Henry’s relationship really is that serious.

I take a deep breath as I consider answering truthfully, “Pasadena.”

He watches me for a moment, trying to figure out if I hesitantly told him the truth or was trying to lie, “Pasadena. Where is that?”

Accepting that I just allowed that door to be opened, I confirm, “It’s just north of downtown LA off the One-Ten.”

“Maybe, sometime you can show me around Pasadena,” he says with a flirtatious hint to his voice.

With my eyebrows slightly raised, I question, “Just the two of us?”

“No. Well, not unless you want it to be.”