Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(55)
“Does Jared know?” I inquire, forcing Maggie and Henry to break their intimate moment.
“No, not yet. I was going to tell them later today,” Maggie confirms.
I nod in agreement still try to suppress my smirk.
The rest of the meal, Maggie continues to talk about Hawaii and everything she’s learned since she and Henry started planning the trip. I listen contentedly, excited to go to Hawaii. I’ve never been, but my enthusiasm does not match the level of Maggie’s, especially for a three month anniversary.
My mind starts to wander a little as Maggie sustains the topic of her and Henry’s anniversary. I start reviewing what she told me earlier before we left for lunch and start to study Henry’s face more closely. I’m relieved after another ten minutes of coming up with nothing, no uneasiness. This completely baffles me. Other topics float in and out of my mind as I nod and hum fake responses to Maggie’s diatribe.
The books. I have the books for Joe and Henry.
When Maggie takes a sip of her drink, I’m allotted enough time to interject. “I’ve got something for the two of you,” I offer looking to Henry and then Joe.
Their questioning faces are funny, including Maggie’s. I think Maggie is more in a state of shock.
“What?” Joe questions.
“You got them something?” Maggie adds with a puzzled look that has a hint of concern.
What? Have I ever given her cause for concern? Would I ever give her cause for reservation? Okay, maybe. I laugh inwardly at the thought.
“Here,” I say, handing them each packages wrapped in blue and white striped wrapping paper.
“I didn’t realize that you cared so much,” Joe taunts wickedly. As Joe reaches for the gift, I teasingly pull my hand back just enough to keep it out of his reach while eyeing him, sparking a chuckle out of all three of them.
Joe and Henry both take the items from my hands, confused by my actions and what the packages could be. Has Maggie said something to them at some point to have them question my intentions too? I’ve joked around on occasion, but I’ve never done anything down right mean.
“They might help with your classes,” I offer as they unwrap them at the same time.
“Ooh, that’s a great book!” Maggie shouts. “Emma made me read it before I started managing Raven Media.”
“Wow. Thanks, Emma!” Henry expresses with genuine appreciation.
“Thank you. This is awesome,” Joe adds, equally grateful. “I heard one of the guys in my class mention this book the other day — said it’s been helping.”
Maggie is beaming at my generosity, which concerns me a little. I’ve never given anything to any of her previous boyfriends, let alone their friends. Did I just openly accept Henry and Joe too soon? Damn. I should have made her sweat it out a little longer. Oh well.
Both Joe and Henry get up from their seats and move towards me. I’m not sure what to make of their actions. Getting to me first, Joe leans down and plants a kiss on my cheek and whispers, “Thank you.”
I temper my facial reaction to his low, sultry voice. The sexual tension has just increased ten fold. I’m pleased when he doesn’t linger and Henry offers the same gesture. To my delight, I’m glad that Henry was second. He completely squashed all of the sexual desire I had for Joe and replaces it with complete awkwardness for me. Damn Maggie for her confession. I’m still wishing she hadn’t told me.
We continued chatting at the restaurant for a short period after we finish eating. Henry covers the check as he always does, unless Joe beats him to it. I’m not used to anyone else picking up the tab, not this much. Over the years, Maggie, Jared, Nathan and I have always altered who takes care of the bill. Now, with two other people in the mix, it’s not horrible, just awkward because they always insist on paying. I’m not sure what to make of this habit. I’ve never experienced it before with anyone. None of Maggie’s past boyfriends ever did this. Is this an ego thing or a male dominance thing? I’m still not sure I like it and sometimes I even argue with them about it, but today, I deliberately choose not to say anything.
The guys and Maggie insist on a tour of Pasadena, so I begrudgingly agree since I’m outnumbered. We walk around Old Pas for about forty-five minutes before we hop on one of the local Metro buses to head east on Colorado to show them the Pasadena Playhouse and continue by foot to the South Lake Avenue section. Maggie insists on showing them some more sites including the famous Rose Bowl and local museums. That means we’ll be in a car and I brace myself for the trip. We get back onto the Metro bus to head towards Henry’s car which is parked near where we ate. Henry holds the front passenger door for Maggie at the same time Joe holds the back left passenger door for me. Well, I do need to give Maggie some credit, she did finally pick a gentleman this time around.
Maggie knows Pasadena as well as I do, so I relinquish any navigation or sightseeing suggestions to her. Sadie lays stretched out over the middle of the back seat with her head on my lap and her rear against Joe. Joe’s hand rests comfortably on Sadie’s hip, scratching her with his fingers as I pet her head.
My mind begins an internal conflict with itself as the car glides over the streets. Outwardly, my body typically displaces the battle my thoughts engage when one of my legs shake rapidly. With the weight of Sadie’s head, my tension is released instead by tapping my right thumb on the side of my clutch repeatedly. My eyes take turns peering between the top of Sadie’s head, where my left hand rests, and the buildings moving past us through the window. Even knowing we are driving at a leisurely city speed, it does not reduce my anxiety in the slightest bit. My brain floods with chatter and noise which adds heat to the battle brewing inside me.