Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(138)

“Watch where you’re going,” she snaps.

Despite the fact that I was the one looking where I was going and she was the one who had her head turned, talking to her two friends, I smile and nod. “Pardon me.”

“Whatever,” she barks, unimpressed with my apology.

I continue forward, not looking back or thinking about the whole thing. When I return to the party, I find Mrs. Covelli who is waving me over to her.

“Emma, sweetheart,” Mrs. Covelli calls as I approach. “This is Melinda Silkworth.”

“Hello,” I happily greet, finally putting a face to the name. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Silkworth.”

“Please, Emma,” Mrs. Silkworth begins. “Call me Melinda.”

Mrs. Silkworth’s family has been in the textile company for generations and she is the woman Nathan has been speaking with for top quality fabrics for all of his future fashion lines. Aside from the beautiful fabrics her family creates, she has a massive list of connections in the fashion industry and plans on attending Nathan’s upcoming show.

“Have you been able to meet Nathan tonight, Melinda?” I ask, not comfortable using her first name.

“Oh, yes,” she confirms. “He’s delightful. Elaine introduced us not long after you all arrived. We spoke for a long while.”


“Good,” I praise.

“Yes,” she agrees. “I’m so excited to see what he’s created. I loved the dresses he made for you. I already have made sure I have my checkbook ready for the show.”

“You’re attend?” I ask, just finding out.

“Of course. That man has more talent in his pinky than most who enter the industry. I expect grand things from him,” she adds.

“Me too,” I agree.

“So, Elaine here tells me that you’re Nathan’s business partner,” Mrs. Silkworth prods politely.

“Kind of,” I confirm. “I’m more of a silent partner.”

“The two of you seem to work really well together. I’ve studied what you both have done for his career and shop. I commend you and Nathan.”

“Thank you,” I accept graciously.

“I don’t want to bore you with business talk, dear,” she mentions. “Go enjoy your evening. We’ll chat more in the up coming weeks. I hope that Nathan will grant me a sneak peek of what he’s got in store for the event.”

The funny thing is that Mrs. Silkworth doesn’t realize that I would much rather talk business than deal with the party.

“I’ll try to bend Nathan’s ear to letting you see at least one or two pieces,” I sweetly disclose.

“That would be lovely, thank you,” she answers. Mrs. Silkworth steps in, kissing me on each cheek. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Emma.”

“You as well,” I return kindly. “Enjoy the rest of you evening, ladies.” I step forward, embracing Mrs. Covelli. “Thank you for inviting us, Elaine.”

“My pleasure, sweetheart,” Mrs. Covelli answers.

I bounce around the room, not wanting to stay in any one place throughout the night with the hope to escape during the countdown. When I hide in a corner area from Joe’s brothers and some other men who try to get me to dance with them, I feel a sudden tug on my arm.

“Dance with me,” Joe requests assertively but sweetly.

Noticing that Tony is on his way over, I happily agree.

“You look beautiful,” he comments, placing his hand on my back.

“You look pretty good yourself,” I tease.

“Thanks,” he replies. “I picked my best suit hoping to a certain someone’s attention.”

“You don’t have to wear much to do that,” I goad.

“Really?”

“Yep,” I confirm. “There are days when less is more.”

“Good to know,” he replies.

“And,” I continue. “Other days, it’s fun to imagine under all those layers.”

Joe laughs. “I know what you mean.”

Halfway through the song, Joe’s body tense and I find his jaw clenched when I look up at him.

“What’s wrong?” I search.

“Nothing,” he lies, moving us further into the crowd.

“Joe,” a woman’s voice calls. “There you are.”

My neck tingles as her voice. There’s something oddly familiar with it.

“What do you want Abigail?” Joe asks sternly, turning me to see who’s talking to him.

“Daddy wants to talk to you,” she announces. “Come.”

My eyes fall upon the woman who I practically ran into on my way to the bathroom earlier. I get the distinct feeling that she’s not happy to see me dancing with Joe as she refuses to acknowledge me.

“I’m not discussing business tonight,” Joe informs. “It’s a holiday.”

“Well,” she begins. “It’ll only take a minute or two.”

“Not tonight,” Joe answers more coldly.

“Don’t be silly, Joe,” she says, ignoring him, reaching for his hand. “Come. It will only be a minute.”

“No, Abigail,” Joe objects, taking a step back.