Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(121)
A butler announces our arrival and Mr. and Mrs. Covelli happily greet me. I’m grateful that they don’t mention the news or ask about why Joe had cancelled his birthday I don’t doubt that Jimmy will clue them in later. Mrs. Covelli offers a tour and I gladly accept, hoping to avoid any uncomfortable conversations brought on by Jimmy.
Their home is amazing, to say the least. The fourth floor consists of a grand, main kitchen, a secondary staff kitchen, a living room, sitting room and two different sized dining rooms aside from several bathrooms and a variety of closets. The fifth floor is where Mr. and Mrs. Covelli’s bedroom resides, with a huge balcony, along with John’s and Elaine’s offices that are next to each other, separated only by a glass wall with two large sliding glass doors on either end. They have a master bath and a walk-in closet that are the size of my apartment and two half baths close to their offices. There’s another sitting room on the same floor. The third floor is nothing but more bedrooms, all for the Covelli boys, each with their own personal bathroom along with a living room with game tables, a bar and a floor to ceiling television screen.
Mr. and Mrs. Covelli lead us back up to the fourth floor to the sitting room while we wait for the rest of the family to arrive. At some point, my nerves get to me and I need to use the ladies’ room after my second cup of tea. When I round the corner to rejoin the Covellis, I hear a few more voices to the mix.
“Hi,” a good looking man says, winking at me and flashing a smile. “I’m Thomas.”
Just as I take his hand to shake it, another man jumps in taking my hand first. “Back off, Tom, I saw this vixen first.”
“And, this is Tony,” Joe announces taking my hand before Tony can kiss it. “He still carries cooties. Watch out.”
“Back off little bro,” Tony declares. “I saw her first.”
“You back off,” Jimmy advises. “If anyone saw her first it would be Joe. Besides, Emma doesn’t date.”
“What a coincidence, neither do I,” Tony adds with a sinfully wicked smile.
The Covelli boys do have a way about them aside from their good looks.
“Go away, you vultures. Emma’s too good for either of you. She’s out of your league,” Jimmy claims.
“Don’t smile at them too much. It only encourages them,” Joe comments.
“You’re one to talk,” Jimmy goads.
As we finish making introductions to Sadie, a man, woman and two children enter the room. I recognize them easily from their photos and because the man is a younger version of Mr. Covelli. Upon introductions, my assumption is correct that I’m meeting John Covelli Jr., his wife, Emily, and their two children, Lily and John I.
Lily beams as she’s officially allowed to meet Sadie though her parents are a little apprehensive about the idea — I know it’s because of Sadie’s bread. Joe reassures them it’s fine and Lily takes a spot on the floor with Sadie as the rest of the family trickles in. Emily gravitates toward me, chatting freely as if we’ve been friends for years, as does Charlotte and Isabella, David’s and Daniel’s wives as soon as they arrive.
I find out after finishing our soup that there’s a five-course meal that has been prepared. By the time our entrees are served, Tony breeches a subject I wasn’t expecting.
“So, Emma,” Tony begins. “How long have you and Joe been dating?”
“Excuse me,” I gasp.
“Knock it off, Tony,” Joe asserts.
“Joe and I are friends and business associates,” I comment calmly.
“Right,” Tony replies sarcastically. “You want me to believe that you two aren’t dating.”
“It’s the truth,” Jimmy supports.
“When has Joe ever brought a woman home to meet the family?” Tony presses, looking to everyone in the family around the table.
“That’s true,” David chimes in. “He’s never brought a girl home during high school or college.”
I look to Joe and I can see his cheeks reddening.
“”Boys,” Mrs. Covelli calls. “Leave your brother and Emma alone.”
“Yes, mother,” the say in unison.
Mrs. Covelli immediately poses a question to Charlotte, deflecting the attention away from Joe and me. I don’t really hear their comments as my brain digests what Tony said. Other topics flow in and out through the rest of dinner and well past dessert. I catch a few pieces of conversation, adding a comment or asking a question, but remain mostly quiet unless someone speaks to me directly.
At some point, Joe, Jimmy and Allen take me to the living room on the third floor. The four of us play a game of pool to relax as Jimmy and Allen enjoy a cocktail.
“So, Emma,” Tony says, coming into the room. “What brought you to New York?”
“Some personal and business reasons,” I answer.
“Personal? Like my brother?” he presents.
“No,” I quickly reply.
“Stop trying to hit on her,” Jimmy comments. “You have no chance.”
“She likes it,” Tony remarks, winking at me and then walks over to the bar and makes himself a drink.
I fight to refrain from giggling at his bravado.
“Right,” Jimmy contends, seeming unamused.
Over the course of our next game, Tony throws a few pickup lines at me. Thomas is quick to join us as well, challenging Tony and his attempts at flirting. I refrain from commenting most of the time, but a smile does pop onto my face at their blatant attempts, especially when I see Joe getting irritated. I decide to flirt back at some point — why not have a little fun and amusement, hoping it’ll keep them from asking more questions.