Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(26)

“It’s okay,” I remark quickly. “I should get going. It’s late and . . . .” I shift to stand up, but Joe curls his arms around my waist. I let him keep a hold of me for a few seconds, reassuring him that we’re good.

We don’t say anything as we get dressed. It isn’t awkward, but it isn’t comfortable either for both of us — I can tell by the express on his face. When we get to his front door, I can see the desire written on his face. Joe wants to ask me to stay, but he already knows my answer.

“I’m glad you came over,” he nervously announces, blocking me temporarily from the exit.

With the softest expression I can conjure, I say, “Me too.” I step into his body, place my hand on his cheek and kiss him.

Joe’s hands are quick to take my waist, securing a prolonged embrace. “I’ll keep practicing,” he comments.

“Don’t think you need it,” I devilishly admit.

Joe chuckles and lifts a brow. “Can I walk you ladies home?”

I mull over the idea for a second and agree to his request.





Fifty Seven


By Friday afternoon, Maggie and Henry are back and they have invited everyone over for lunch tomorrow at the new house. Excited to see her, I quickly reply and make arrangements with Joe for a ride. I wonder if Maggie’s going to confirm and announce the pregnancy — she must be if she’s having everyone over.

Early Saturday morning, Joe and I arrive at Maggie’s and Henry’s new home in San Marino. The place is exquisite and practically the same size as Mr. and Mrs. Wú’s house — I mean Henry’s parents’ house. Henry and Maggie are the new Mr. and Mrs. Wú.

Maggie gives me a private tour of the house while we wait for a few more people to arrive. The house was a gift from Henry’s parents. Maggie and Henry didn’t find out about it until the night of their rehearsal dinner.

“It’s official,” Maggie beams, closing the door to her two-story walk-in closet just after we enter.

“What is?”

“Kim confirmed it yesterday. I am definitely pregnant,” she clues me in.

“Congratulations,” I say, smiling from ear to ear and hugging her.

“Are you telling everyone today?”

“No, not until I’m three months,” she explains.

“Why are you going to wait?” I say shocked.

Maggie is not one to keep a secret, even her own.

“To make sure . . .” her voice trails.

“Make sure what?” I question, not understanding.

I don’t have a clue when it comes to this topic. My brain fogged over when Amy and Kim were pregnant.

“That everything will be good with the baby. There are risks, you know . . .” she says with a hint of worry in her voice.

“Is everything okay?” I check.

“Oh, yes. Everything is fine. I just really want to make sure before we tell the rest of the family,” she explains with more energy.

“Okay,” I agree.

I think she may be a little concerned about what the family may think if she announces she’s pregnant already.

“How did Henry react?” I search, wanting to keep her positive.

“He was . . . beyond happy!” she jubilantly shares with tears forming in her eyes.

“You okay, Mags?”

“Yeah . . .” she sniffs. “Hormones, you know.”

I nod as we embrace.

Maggie and I end up standing closer to each other and holding hands as she shows me the rest of the house — we can’t seem to stop smiling over the excitement and happiness swirling around us.

When we head back to our friends and family, Maggie and I find that everyone has finally arrived. Now, it’s just a matter of lunch being ready for our extremely large family; Jared, Nathan, Pop-Pop, Maggie’s family, Mr. and Mrs. Wú, a few of the Wús who have yet to go back to China, Joe and me.

Arnold, the butler, announces that lunch is ready about fifteen minutes after Maggie and I join everyone out on the patio. He ushers us to a large dining table that’s to the far left of the house. Six house staff members wait patiently for us to take our seats before serving us our drinks and food.


For the next several hours, my life is complete and utter bliss as I’m surrounded by my family, friends and Joe. Everyone talks, jokes and laughs with ease as we eat the delectable meal and enjoy the cool summer breeze.

When dessert is served, I eagerly give Maggie, Henry and their parents the photo books and framed pictures. Maggie cries with sobs of happiness and our conversations turn toward recapping the events that took place at the St. Regis.

As everyone chats about the photos and the wedding, I notice how the Lis and Wús are now one and seem to get along as if they’ve been one family for years. Watching everyone interact and enjoy the frenzy of energy in front of me, I notice Nǎinai coming to join me while I hide off to the side. She quietly sits with me and takes in the sight before us for several minutes.

“Soon, you will have your own family,” Nǎinai comments, taking my hand.

“I have a family . . . they’re right here,” I reply, nodding to the crowd in front of us.

With a smile, she shakes her head. “We are your family . . . yes, but you will have your own,” she explains further.