Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(61)

We all sit silently for several minutes until Nathan investigates, “Who’s hungry?”

No one answers.

A snicker escapes Jared and I elbow him.

“Seriously? Do you guys want to eat or shower first?” Nathan inquires as the good host.

Jared immediately chuckles louder, followed by Nathan once he recognizes how Jared is twisting the meaning. I admit, it is funny, even though it is at Maggie’s and my expense, and I do my best to try and come up with something to chide him, but fall short.

Maggie beats me to the punch and says innocently, “Why don’t we all eat?”

Laughter erupts out of Jared and Nathan. Henry and Joe both are pursing their lips, attempting not to join in. I cover my mouth with my hand.

“What?” Maggie questions, still not getting it.

All four men are roar with laughter as I do my best to refrain my own giggles by biting one of my fingers. Joe and I catch each other’s eye and we both blush. Maggie peers at us quizzically for a moment before the reason for our amusement pops into her head.

Trying to contain a smile, Maggie shouts, “That’s not funny.” She gets up to smack both Nathan and Jared, but they pull her down on top of me.

It’s times like these when I wish it didn’t take Maggie as long to get the joke and inadvertently extend it with her innocence.

Jumping up, Nathan yells, “Ok, we’re eating.”

Everybody giggles at his announcement as he moves into the kitchen. I shift to get up and help him, but Jared wraps his arms and legs around me tighter. Instead of fighting, I give into his affection — I need it. Maggie returns to Henry’s lap and Joe gets up to help Nathan.

Whispering in my ear, Jared checks, “You okay?”

“Mmm hmm,” I hum, curling into him more.

At first glance, if people didn’t know us, they would think that Jared and I are boyfriend and girlfriend.

I continue our conversation in a low voice, “What’s going on with you and Nathan?”

Jared smiles at Nathan’s name and shrugs his shoulders.

“Is it serious?” I mumble.

Jared blushes but doesn’t say anything.

“If it is, I’m happy for you,” I convey. “If it isn’t, I’m happy for you. I just want to see you both happy.”

Kissing me, he breeches the topic, “I know. I love you.”

Snuggling up to him, I reply, “I love you too.”

I’ve always loved to cuddle with Jared. The weird thing is, I’m noticing a difference as well as similarities from this morning with Joe. Knowing this, I now understand that I can’t let Joe in like this. It’s too much. He needs to be kept at a distance.

After breakfast, Maggie and I take care of the dishes while the guys shower. Joe washes up first as Henry attempts to help with cleaning. It’s clear that he’s had other people take care of tasks like this for him, probably all of his life.

I read on the couch as Maggie and Henry make out once we finish tidying up. When Joe comes out, Maggie follows Henry into the bedroom. Pretending to read, I watch Joe go to back into my room and then come back with his book. We discover ourselves looking at each other a couple of times. A few minutes later, Jared and Nathan stroll out and join Joe, Sadie and me on the couch.

“What should we do today?” Nathan inquires trying to be polite.

I give him a sideways glance as I’m sandwiched in the corner of the couch by Jared and him.

“What?” he says confused by my reaction.

“This is typically the sex-capades day for you two couples,” I indicate, pointing at him, Jared and then at the bedroom where Maggie and Henry are hiding.

“She’s right,” Jared confirms.

“Ohh, speaking of sex . . .” Nathan comments with a teasing tone. “I forgot to tell you who called for me at Nathaniel’s yesterday?”

I’m not curious or excited to find out what he has to say, but ask to be polite. “Who?”

“Your friend . . . Chris . . . from Ayana’s,” Nathan whispers, smiling wide and giggles.

I shrug my shoulders. “So.”

“Soooo . . . Denise said he seemed a little flustered when he was leaving his message. He wanted to talk about possibly wearing one of my suits for the next red carpet event, and . . . ” Nathan’s voice trails off looking for a reaction.

“Congrats! That could be really huge for Nathaniel’s!” I comment.

I’m genuinely happy for him and the attention he could get for dressing an A-list actor.


Wise that I was avoiding that he had more to share, Nathan continues anyway, “And . . . .”

Is he actually going there?

“He told me that the next time I spoke to you that he wanted me to say hi,” Nathan wickedly sings, deliberately trying to illicit a response from me.

“Ok.” I shrug again, glancing at Joe with my peripheral vision.

“Ok?” Nathan questions with a little attitude. “Ok . . . not even a hi back for the guy?”

I glare at Nathan.

“Fine. Break the guy’s heart.”

“Stop trying to play matchmaker!” I say with a stern, low voice.

“I’m not. Just seeing . . . .”

“Don’t,” I caution.

He’s trying to see if he can set me up with Chris again or wants to see how I handle the information in front of Joe. I’m onto his ways.