Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(72)
When I told Joe about moving forward with his idea, he offered to put me in contact with a variety of businesses that would benefit from Raven 1.0 immediately. He said that his family’s companies would be the first clients on the list. Joe was impressed with my idea of expanding Raven media into hosting and securities services and mentioned he knew a number of people who could supply a facility and computer hardware. I’m guessing that this might be the first area of technology that Joe wants to venture into, which makes sense. I don’t have enough funding to purchase a property as well as the needed hardware and staff, but I’m sure we can work out a fair and equitable business contract once it’s time to take action.
With Hawaii only a week away, my friends and I are staying local for our upcoming weekend gathering. Apparently, Joe has moved to accommodate his brother, Jimmy, and Jimmy’s boyfriend Allen, who flew back with him after Easter. Joe bought or is renting a place large enough to sleep everyone and is insisting on being the host. I’m curious to see where he’s living and how much he’s paying to fit all of us comfortably. I never bothered to ask where he was living prior to finding out that he’s moved. The few times I text him during the past few days inquiring about where his new place is located, Joe just writes back you’ll see. I remind him that I’m not one who likes surprises, but he just ignores me and doesn’t even offer a clue. Each time he responds I only get a LOL and smiley emoticon. When I try to find out from Jared or Maggie, they claim that they don’t know either. I don’t believe them and worry about my speculations.
Maggie and Henry pick Sadie and me up at my apartment Friday in the late afternoon. My knee habitually begins shaking as the car enters the streets and I look out the window to see where we’re going. I don’t think much about where we might be headed until Henry pulls into a building across from the Arclight Theater in Pasadena.
“Are we stopping somewhere first?” I ask as Henry pulls into a valet area.
“No. Where here,” Maggie states.
“Where?” I probe.
“Joe’s place. He bought the penthouse,” Maggie answers, clueing me in.
Confusion and horror flood my mind as my brain tries to comprehend what Maggie just said. What? Are you serious? He bought a place here? In Pasadena? This is exactly why I don’t tell men where I live. Damn it. Damn him.
I sit staring at the back of the seat in front of me as Henry and Maggie get out of the car and retrieve the bags out of the trunk. At some point, someone opens the car door to let me out, but I don’t notice until Maggie interrupts my internal hysteria.
“You coming?” she checks.
I remain speechless the entire time we are greeted by the doorman and ride the elevator up to Joe’s floor. Maggie and Henry don’t seem to notice my irritation as they practically make out the entire time.
Why did they bother to pick me up? I could have walked since we’re less than a mile from my apartment building. Why didn’t Maggie say anything about Joe moving to Pasadena? I know why. They know I wouldn’t have shown up or, if I did, I would be sleeping at my own place each night. They both suck right now. Wait! Jared and Nathan suck too. They are on their way and never mentioned it either. What the hell is happening?
The elevator door dings open to a small foyer that contains large, wooden double doors in front of us that are adorned with two small matching console tables and wall mirrors on either side. When the door opens, we are greeted by an older, dark-haired woman wearing a maid’s uniform who recognizes Henry right away.
“Mr. Henry, come right in. Mr. Joseph said he was expecting you,” she instructs with a distinct Russian accent.
“Thank you, Anna,” Henry returns ushering Maggie and myself to go first. “This is Maggie and Emma.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Maggie and Ms. Emma. Please, leave your bags here. I’ll see that they are tended to,” Anna greets warmly. “Who is this four-legged beauty?”
“Sadie,” I offer.
“Ah, Ms. Sadie. Is there anything you might need for her while you are here?” she inquires while petting Sadie.
“No. Thank you. I have all of her stuff here,” I disclose, pointing to one of my bags. “If you tell me where the kitchen is, I can put her food away.”
“I’d be happy to take care of that for you,” Anna insists.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose,” I reply.
“Anything for you, Ms. Emma,” she states with a warm smile.
“Okay,” I happily accept.
“Follow me,” Anna instructs, leading the way with a brisk pace. When Anna reaches the end of the long hallway about five seconds before us, she announces, “Ms. Maggie, Ms. Emma, Ms. Sadie and Mr. Henry are here.”
Catching up to her, my eyes fall upon a huge living room that has floor to ceiling windows on three of the four walls, not counting the large fireplace, is fully finished with a wet bar, three sitting areas, a large flatscreen television and a baby grand piano in the far left corner. How the hell did he buy and get this place decorated in such a short amount of time? When did he buy it? I know that this building is not for rent. I remember seeing listings for units in this place several times when I’d search where I’d like move next in Pasadena. This building was one of my top considerations. Now, I have to remove this location from my list. Damn him.