Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(19)
“It’s for all of us,” Joe informs, not giving me a chance to comment.
“Okay,” Jade eagerly replies, peeling the lid off.
When Joe’s eyes return to mine, he questions, “What?” He takes out three spoons from the bag and gives Jade one.
Shaking my head, I state, “You’re lucky I took her hiking this afternoon, or else I’d make you deal with the sugar rush.”
Joe laughs. “I wouldn’t mind.”
Knowing Joe, I’m confident with what he means by that statement. He might even have planned the sugar rush as an attempt to join Jade and me back at the apartment. I refrain from announcing my speculation.
The three of us sit close together to eat the ice cream as the animated movie that was selected for the showing tonight begins. Jade gets a temporary burst of energy from the sweets, but it doesn’t last long. I think her body is burning through it quickly from the long, hot hike we had up in the mountain.
Joe scoots closer a few times during the movie, Jade doesn’t notice, but I do, especially when he shifts to lean more on his left arm that is now touching my right. Over the course of at least twenty minutes, Jade shifts herself from sitting to laying down in a few odd positions, curling her legs or body over Sadie, Joe or myself. Ultimately, an hour into the movie, Jade falls asleep with her head on my lap and her legs over Joe’s.
As the night gets darker, Joe gets bold and places his left hand over my right, curling his fingers into my hand that rests on Jade’s back. My eyes dart to him, knowing what he’s doing. Joe’s body shifts, and when I realize that he doesn’t plan on stopping, my head snaps forward toward the movie.
For some strange reason, after just about a minute or two, I’m compelled to look at him again. Right as my head extends all the way to the side, my head jerks and Joe’s lips brush my cheek.
“What are you doing?” I snap. I look around to make sure no one heard me and check that I didn’t wake up Jade.
“What’s wrong?” Joe questions with concern.
“You just tried to kiss me,” I explain.
“So?” he challenges.
“We’re in public,” I remind.
Joe chuckles to my response.
After a few minutes, he moves closer to me, placing his left arm behind my back, supporting his weight, and drapes his right hand over mine. He doesn't try to kiss me again, but he does place his nose closer to me and breathes me in.
“Joe,” I call quietly.
“What?” he replies.
“You know what,” I say, trying to move away.
Joe laughs, clearly amused by how uncomfortable he’s making me.
“Unless you never want to get laid again . . .” I whisper my threat.
“Okay, okay,” he assures. “I’ll be good.”
Once the movie is finished, Joe stays with me while we wait for the crowd to disperse. I leave Jade on the blanket while letting Sadie run around a little before calling it a night. Walking back to my apartment, Joe has Jade in his right arm, with her head slumped on his shoulder and the bag with the blanket in his left — I offer to carry her, but he insists.
Back in the apartment, Joe gently lowers Jade onto my bed and helps me get her changed into her pajamas. Once she’s tucked under the covers, Sadie immediately joins Jade, obviously tired as well from the day.
Joe stays close to me even after I close the bedroom door most of the way, but he doesn’t touch me. I walk him to the front door, and he doesn’t question my actions. After stepping out into the hall, Joe takes my wrist and tugs me to follow. He checks the lock on the door before closing it. Two seconds later, his mouth is exploring mine as he has me pressed against the wall.
Yanking my mouth to the side, I question, “What was that?”
“What?”
“Earlier,” I remind.
“I was in the moment,” he answers with one of his many persuasive smiles.
“Excuse me?” I press.
“You looked beautiful and . . .” he begins, but I cut him off with a glare. “Okay. Okay.” Joe’s lips seize my neck, distracting me. Reluctantly pulling away from my lips once he’s had them for a while, Joe says, “Thanks for letting me join you ladies.”
“Sure.”
Joe presses his mouth against mine for several more kisses.
“I should get back inside,” I loosely comment.
“Yeah,” he hesitantly agrees.
After two lingering pecks, Joe bids, “Goodnight, beautiful.”
“Goodnight, Joe.”
Fifty Four
The next day, Jade and I visit Color Me Mine, where Jade picks a Hello Kitty pottery figure to paint and I select a matching pottery bowl to add to her collection. After our works of art are completed, she and I head back to the apartment for lunch with Sadie before heading over to the Kidspace Children’s Museum for a few hours.
Back in the apartment, Jade helps me cook dinner before we change into our pajamas for a night of painting our nails, doing clay masks and playing with each other’s hair all while eating popcorn and watching movies. Sadie is a gracious victim of Jade’s, having her nails painted too.
Sunday, Jared and Pop-Pop join Jade and me early in the morning to head down to Disneyland. Sadie comes with us with her service vest because I don’t want to leave her alone for that long of a time period. Luckily, the staff notice the vest and we get front of the line access to every ride Jade can go on. The crowds aren’t too big with most kids already back to school, but being able to just jump on a ride right away is really nice. I never knew how well Disney treats it’s handicapped customers. In the future, I’ll make sure to have Sadie stay behind with someone. That way we won’t take away from someone more deserving.