Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(83)

My friends and I casually stroll the streets of Pasadena enjoying the beautiful, spring weather. Our conversations are light and airy, however, I remain less chatty. The amount of walking helps with my agitation, but it’s not as impactful as rebounding or sex.

Jared stays close to me no matter where we go, holding onto my hand or draping his arm over my shoulders while keeping Nathan close as well. If at any point Jared and I break apart, Maggie connects with me, spreading her cheery, sunshine energy.

I made sure when we left Joe’s, that I had Sadie wear her service dog vest. Without having to think about it, we’re all able to go into any place of business. Allen and Jimmy seem fascinated by my reasoning and the use of the vest when I explained it to them during lunch at my favorite local Thai restaurant.

At some point, Jimmy and Allen ask about Nathaniel’s and express their desire to see his collection. Instead of dealing with Saturday LA traffic, Nathan calls Denise to put two racks together, one men’s and one women’s, and to have them brought over to the penthouse for an impromptu fashion show.

After we finish lunch, we meet up with Anna just outside of Joe’s penthouse building for her to take Sadie. My friends and I continue on foot to the Pasadena Playhouse for the two o’clock showing of Pygmalion. Maggie and I share a subscription which includes tickets to certain shows and a discount on any additional tickets we need. I’m actually surprised that we were able to get a few extra seats last minute for everyone to attend.


A few minutes into the second act, I feel something touch my left hand. Glancing down, I notice Joe’s fingers inching their way up the side of the armrest and I don’t pull away. In fact, I’m shocked when my hand slides closer to his. We sit for the remainder of the performance with just our pinky and ring fingers laced.

After the play, Denise arrives at Joe’s penthouse at the same time we do. Joe invites her to stay for dinner as Jimmy and Allen inspect Nathan’s men’s line, however, Denise politely declines saying she’s made dinner plans with her girlfriend.

Jimmy and Allen start picking out outfits for themselves to put on. They request Henry and Joe to try on a few items, but the sizes Denise brought are a little small for Joe’s more pronounced muscular size. By the time they’ve seen everything on the first rack, Jimmy and Allen announce that they want every piece and get out their checkbooks.

Moving on to the second rack, Jimmy realizes that all of the clothes are for women. He adamantly encourages Maggie and I to model. I willingly try on every piece that Maggie doesn’t select. Trying on new clothes always makes a girl feel better — well, at least me.

“Put this on next,” Jimmy demands, shoving a tiny bikini at me.

“No,” I contend with a polite smile.

“Why not? It’ll look great on you.”

“It’s too small,” I object.

He holds the bottom piece up to my backside as if he doesn’t believe me. “No, it’s not.”

I take the small triangular piece and place it over my breasts. “See.”

“It’s not that bad. Put it on.”

“Yeah, put it on, Emma,” Nathan chimes in.

Rolling my eyes, I take the swimsuit and head into the bedroom after Maggie. Moments like these are when I’m glad that I’m completely comfortable with my own body, even when it’s that time of the month. I let Maggie go out to the living room first to hide my overly exposed flesh. The room goes completely silent when I’m seen followed by several whistles.

“Damn, Emma. You are smokin’!” announces Jimmy.

Not wanting the attention and stares, I try to flee.

Allen cuts me off, “Where are you going?”

“You’ve seen the suit. I’m going to change.”

“No way. I want to look at it,” he argues.

“Fine,” I whine. Standing there, I keep my eyes on the floor.

“What’s this?” Jimmy questions touching my lower, back right hip, directly at the bathing suit line.

“What?” I ask, inspecting the area he’s referring to, hoping I didn’t snag the fabric on something.

“This,” he points.

Seeing what he’s talking about, I immediately slap my hand over it. “Nothing.”

“That’s not nothing,” Jimmy contends.

“What is it?” Allen fishes.

“Nothing,” I reply, covering it and stepping away from them.

“Well, I think that’s it for the women’s line,” Jared interjects, jumping to my rescue.

“No, it’s not,” Jimmy defends. “There are still about ten garments.”

“I can wear them all,” Maggie offers.

“That’ll work,” Allen agrees, sensing the tension between Jared, Maggie and myself.

Maggie and I return to change. She puts on the next outfit as I put my daily attire back on. I join Jared on the couch as Jimmy and Allen ooo and ahh over the items Maggie wears until there’s nothing left.

Denise leaves with one rack completely empty, making her trip down to the car easier. Jimmy and Allen actually bought the entire men’s rack. However, Denise did take Joe’s measurements for some options that Nathan plans on bringing to Hawaii for him to try. I assist Denise on the way down to her car since Sadie was just fed and needs to be taken out.