Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(134)
“Emma,” Joe calls behind me.
I stop, not believing he’s here. Turning, I find Joe standing within inches of me, distress consuming his face. His breath is easily noticed in the cold, night air as he stands in front of me wearing nothing other than a shirt, jeans and shoes. I can feel his body tremble from the winter chill, but the heat radiating from him feels as if we’re in tropical weather.
“Emma, please.” His tone matches the strong emotion on his face.
“Goodnight, Joe,” I bid with my voice cracking.
It takes Joe several long seconds to releases me. The appearance of disappointment and defeat emerge on his face. Unable to cope with him and this situation, I look away. We stand silently for several moments before my body willingly listens to my brain, ushering me into the car.
One Hundred One
The next few days I spend my time working on business tasks unless I’m out sightseeing with my family. There isn’t really anything for me to do with Raven Media, in fact, since the change of direction with the company, I have more free time than I anticipated. I’m seriously considering starting or investing in another company to fill up my days. Now I understand why Joe has so much free time being not just the boss, but the owner.
A business is truly successful when the owner doesn’t have to work and can walk away for an extended vacation and come back to it still operating, and when operating well, makes even more money. I’m going to need to ask Mrs. Covelli how she spends her time if she doesn’t need to pay attention to most or any of the daily details of the business and is only updated on a quarterly basis by her staff. How can she live? Well, I guess she does live — living more than most people.
This afternoon, Maggie, Henry, Jared, Nathan and I take Jade to see The Lion King on Broadway. Christmas is in two days and getting Jade out of the rental allows Kim and Peter to finish wrapping her gifts. When we get our tickets at the box office, I notice that Henry is holding an extra one. I don’t inquire as to who’s ticket it is — there’s only one person missing from our usual group outings.
“Joe!” Jade shouts excitedly.
“Hello, princess,” he says warmly.
I do my best to act natural when Joe and I greet each other, but there’s definitely some tension. He wants to talk to me — I’ve been ignoring his texts and calls since we last saw each other a few days ago. Seeing the pain in his eyes makes this all the more uncomfortable — I don’t want him to feel this way. His scent is distracting when he leans in to hug me, enticing the kitten to play. There’s a funny feeling in my gut that I can’t shake each time we glance at each other. Why does he have to make this so complicated?
Though Jade has her own seat, she has trouble seeing the stage, so I encourage her to sit on my lap.
“Joe,” Jade calls, tapping where she was just sitting. “You can move over. I’m going to sit with Emma.”
With a sweet smile, Joe nods and slides over. Neither of us say anything, as Joe relocates.
Jade continues to talk to Joe, Jared and me while we wait for the lights to dim. As the play is about to start, Jade shifts back on my legs. My hands hold her thighs to keep her secure for if she moves at any point. The touch of a warm, larger hand catches my attention and I move to see what’s going on. I find that Jade has taken Joe’s hand and rested it on top of mine followed by hers. Our hands remain in the same location during the rest of the first act.
When the show is over, we stop at a restaurant for dinner and then walk the rest of the way back to the building where we’re staying, stopping at several displays for Jade to see the Christmas decorations or lights. We make our way past the ice rink in Central Park and by the time we’re almost back, Jade has fallen asleep on my shoulder.
Joe follows us upstairs and I immediately take Jade into her room where Jet and Rey are already sleeping. Kim and Peter offer to take her, but I refuse, happy to tuck Jade in. Jade wakes long enough to assist with getting her into her pajamas and for me to read her a story.
“You’ll be a great mom,” Kim whispers, standing in the doorway.
“How long have you been standing there?” I ask, carefully getting up off the bed.
“Long enough,” she says with a smile.
“You know I don’t plan on having kids,” I remind.
“Doesn’t matter what you plan, Emma,” Kim returns. “Life always finds a way.”
“Kim?” I say, wanting to change the subject slightly.
“Yeah, Emma?”
I peer down the hallway to make sure no one is close.
“Are you pregnant?” she suddenly questions.
“What? No! Why would you ask that?” I ask, shocked.
“I just figured since you were . . . .”
“No,” I cut her off. “God, no.”
“Okay, sorry. What is it?”
“I know you can only say so much, because of the whole patient-doctor confidentiality thing,” I nervously state. “But, I was just wondering what you could tell me about Maggie?”
Kim smiles sweetly. “She’s good. Really.”
“Really?” I say happy and relieved.
“She bounced back quickly and really took heed to healing,” she shares. “Maggie and the baby are completely healthy and should be the whole way along.”