Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(52)
With a little laugh, I answer, “I’ll consider it.”
My comment gets his smile to return.
“Pasadena. That’s where the Rose Bowl is and the Rose Parade takes place, right?” he continues after a minute of silence.
“Yes.”
“I missed it this year. Maybe we all can get together for next year?” he comments, implying a long-term relationship for Maggie and Henry.
That’s a good sign — I think.
“Sure,” I agree while suppressing a smirk.
The patio door slides open and Jared joins us. “Hey, you two.”
“Hey,” Joe and I answer at the same time.
“Everyone still sleeping?” I question.
“Yeah, but . . . I think Nathan will be up next,” Jared offers as he slips onto the lounger with me.
Sadie moves over to Joe’s chair for more room. The four of us sit quietly enjoying the usually quiet Santa Monica Sunday afternoon.
Once everyone is finally awake, we decide to stroll around Santa Monica, giving Henry and Joe more of a tour before deciding on a restaurant for dinner. More great food and conversations flow as the night falls upon us. Henry and Joe decide to leave when Maggie and I do, seeming to not want to overstay their welcome even though Nathan insists that they’re welcome several times. Unfortunately, Henry and Joe follow Maggie and I back to Pasadena, which unnerves me a little. Maggie can’t invite Henry back to stay with her since she lives with F?qīn, M?qīn and Nǎinai in Chinatown. She knows better not to ask for them to join us at my place. I deduce that she’ll be telling her parents that she’s staying with me, but will be going to Henry’s.
I have Maggie drop me off at the curb to my apartment complex instead of pulling into the underground parking. As we open the trunk to get my bags, Joe and Henry are out of their car and standing behind us. I was really hoping to not make a scene saying farewell.
“Thanks for letting us crash your weekend,” Henry says, moving in to hug me.
I try my best to not look uncomfortable, let alone make the moment awkward since he catches me off guard.
“I really appreciate you and your friend’s allowing us to join you,” Henry adds, with his arms still wrapped around me.
“Sure,” I answer uncomfortably, tapping him on his back.
I catch Maggie beaming when Henry finally lets go of me.
“Nice to see you again, Joe,” I begin, afraid Henry will hug me again.
“Definitely,” Joe answers offering his hand.
I’m relieved when he doesn’t try to hug me, though the thought of his smell piques my interest.
“Let me get those for you,” Joe insists, reaching for my bags.
“No. Don’t worry about it. I got it,” I politely contend.
“He’s being a gentleman, Emma. Let him help,” Maggie interjects.
Letting out a sigh, I accept, “Fine.”
“It’s okay,” Joe replies, noticing my uneasiness and backs off.
“No. It’s okay, she doesn’t mind,” Maggie presses.
I give her a look, but I really don’t want to drag this situation out any further.
“Help would be nice,” I reply with slightly gritted teeth and a forced smile.
Joe grabs my bags and follows me to the gated entrance that is around the corner of the first building. Aware that we can’t be seen anymore, Joe courteously offers, “I’ll let you be here and just wait a minute or two before heading back to them.”
“Thanks.” I smile in appreciation before turning to unlock the community entrance.
Joe places my bags on the other side of the gate and says farewell to Sadie first. Awkwardly standing, he pauses before saying, “Thanks for the great weekend.”
I smile and nod in response.
“I look forward to next time,” Joe adds.
Before I even get a chance to respond, Joe leans in and kisses me on the cheek. His soft, warm lips linger on my skin and send tingles of delight to my sex.
Shocked, I mutter, “Goodnight.”
We stare at each other for a moment before I will my body to move.
As I walk away from the gate that is now behind me, I hear Joe say, “Goodnight, Emma.”
Twelve
Since the first weekend with Henry and Joe at Nathan’s, I haven’t had the nightmare again and the weeks become typical for me; taking care of my businesses, meetings with Nathan about expanding Nathaniel’s and the new women’s line, connecting with Maggie and Jared about business, working out, reading, being with Sadie, and hanging out with my friends, including Henry and Joe occasionally. All six of us are together most weekends, going somewhere — like mini adventures. We visit San Diego, Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Ojai when we don't stay in LA County. We eat and drink. We laugh. We surf. We dance. We see shows. We gamble. We visit spas and do anything that looks fun and interesting.
One day of each weekend together is a relaxing day, while the other is filled with some kind of physical activity or sport. The relaxing day is more for the two couples to have bedroom time with each other, not like they don’t get enough during the week, while Joe and I find something to do away from them with Sadie.
The relationship between Maggie and Henry has progressed rapidly. They had sex for the first time that Sunday night after we spent the first weekend at Nathan’s — just as I predicted. She’s told me all about it, of course — she didn’t leave out a single detail.