Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(21)
“Where’s a bookstore in Pasadena?” Joe inquires as the four of us hit the streets.
“Down Colorado just past where the Pasadena Playhouse is on El Molino,” I inform.
“I don’t remember seeing a Barnes and Noble or Borders there,” Joe comments.
With a giddy smile, I answer, “There aren’t any major book chains here.”
“Oh,” he returns.
“Yeah,” Jade chimes in. “Were going to Broman’s.”
Laughing, I politely correct her, “Vroman’s.”
“That’s what I said,” Jade insists. “Vroman’s.”
When we get to Vroman’s, Pasadena’s oldest independent boookstore, Joe holds the door open for Jade, Sadie and I to enter. He follows us up the stairs to the second floor where the children’s section is located. Jade hops through the isles and shelves happily in search for some new books — she has a gift certificate to use that I gave her for her birthday. Joe and I quietly follow her from a distance, giving her space to explore but close enough if she wants to talk or ask questions. Jade chooses several books that are of her current reading comprehension level which is that of a second grader. She’s settles on Nim’s Island, Matilda and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Thirty minutes later, we head back to my apartment.
We jump right into playing games around the coffee table, chatting and laughing as time rolls by. Joe has a way with Jade. I shouldn’t be surprised from how he’s interacted with Jade, Rey and Jet each time he sees them.
By nine, I get Jade into the bath while Joe and I clean up the games and the leftover dishes from our dinner. Joe remains a gentleman and doesn’t try to touch me, he doesn’t even try to kiss me, though I see it written all over his face. Once Jade is done washing, she gets her pajamas on and the three of us and Sadie pile onto my bed to watch a movie. Jade places herself right in the middle, Joe takes the spot on her left which is my side of the bed. I give him a playful glance as I walk around to the other side. Joe laughs, but doesn’t comment.
Halfway through the movie, Jade is curled into me with her head on my belly and her legs over Joe’s. Joe moves closer and rests his head right next to mine. He glides his fingers over my left forearm that is laying over Jade’s stomach. I keep my eyes on the television and am surprised when Joe leans in and kisses me on the cheek. It takes me a moment to get past the shock to face him. The next thing I know, his lips are sweetly kissing mine. I don’t pull away. In fact, my body does the opposite of what my brain is saying by leaning further into his embrace. Before my brain gets the chance to protest and pull away, Joe’s mouth releases mine. Our eyes stay locked for several beats. For the rest of the movie, we lay quietly, always touching in one form or another.
Joe politely announces his departure when the movie is over. After we get Jade tucked under the blankets, I walk him out. I willingly head out into the hallway with him this time and we ardently exchange kisses before our customary farewell.
Kim picks Jade up Tuesday morning, leaving the rest of the day for me to take care of business. There are a lot of things I want to get done between Naturally Me and Raven Media before my trip to the facility next week with Joe and his parents.
Maggie and Henry’s honeymoon got extended due to some business needs for Henry, but Maggie is working despite the difference in time zones.
Joe texts in the evening trying to see if I’ll come over. Despite the fact that I want to have sex with him again, I decline his offer. As horny as I am, and as bad as I want to feel Joe’s naked body on mine, I don’t want this becoming a regular thing in my life. It scares me that I crave him as much as I do — I find little reprieve from masturbation.
Fifty Five
Wednesday morning, I take the train with Sadie into Hollywood and then take a cab the rest of the way to Nathaniel’s. Nathan’s hard at work in his studio, but manages to block me from seeing the dress he’s creating for me — he has it under lock and key — literally. He shows me the status of the suits for Chris, Jimmy, Allen, Jared and himself. When I inquire about a sixth one I see, he informs me that he wanted Joe to have one as well. Maggie will be wearing one of the dresses he’s already made and Henry fits into one of the suits that matches her dress.
Jared and Pop-Pop stop by with lunch. After the four of us eat, Sadie and I go to Santa Monica with Jared and Pop-Pop while Nathan continues to work. I’m grateful for Denise and her abilities because she’s been doing a wonderful job managing the entire store while Nathan designs. We’ve already made arrangements for her to have an increase in pay, at least for the temporary added work she’s undertaking.
When I get to Nathan’s condo, Jared and Pop-Pop jump back into some stuff for Naturally Me and I watch with pride for a few minutes before I turn my attention on Raven Media. By six-thirty, Pop-Pop, Jared and I are eating dinner since Nathan doesn’t plan on getting home until late. We decide to take a stroll on the beach, letting Sadie get a good run in before turning in for the rest of the night.
Nathan finally graces us with his presence by eight forty-five. As Nathan shovels his plate of dinner into his mouth, I give him and Jared their photo book.
“Presents!” Nathan blurts with a mouth full of food. “Sweetie, open them. My hands are too dirty.”
Jared opens the first box that contains a framed picture of the entire bridal party from Maggie’s wedding. “Awww . . . thanks, Kitten,” he announces.