Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(70)

“You okay?” Joe questions fully of concern. “What happened?”

“I got distracted,” I choke, fixing my gaze on the television.

“By what?”

I don’t have to say anything as the television reveals the answer.

A photo of Chris and me pops up on the screen.

“The biggest question everyone is asking is who is that mystery woman Chris brought with him for the premier. Aside from the fact that she and Chris have made the top of everyone’s list of best dressed, look at her, she gorgeous,” the black-haired woman states.

“She’s more than gorgeous, Terry,” says the blonde. “She’s a goddess. Look at how she’s dressed. Her designer made the perfect outfit for a superhero’s girlfriend. Those curves and muscles on her almost make her a superhero too.”

“She’s definitely gorgeous, so gorgeous that I would even date her, and I’m straight. Do you think they’re together, Shayna?” she inquires.

“It sure looks like it. Look at these photos of them throughout the night,” the blonde comments.

My skin crawls and my body winces as several pictures are shown on the television.

“If they are together, she’s one lucky lady to be with Chris,” Terry states.

“Or, is he one lucky man?” Shana questions.

“I think they’re both lucky,” says Terry, giggling.

“I would agree with you on that, but many of Chris’ twitter fans are not happy to see him suddenly unavailable,” Shayna remarks.

“I’m curious to see his response to all of the chatter on social media. I can’t believe there hasn’t been a statement to confirm or deny the relationship,” Terry adds.

“I’m sure we’ll hear something soon,” Shayna returns.

“Well, Shayna,” Terry says. “The other top story of the night is the unknown designer who dressed both Chris and his sexy date. His phone must be buzzing from everyone wanting his chart-topping fashion.”

A photo of Nathan and Jared is shown.

“Sources say that there was a total of nine pieces of Nathaniel Young’s on the red carpet, including the two he and his partner were wearing,” Shayna continues.

“Nine?” Terry shouts. “That’s a lot for an unknown designer.”

“You’re telling me,” Shayna adds. “And, he’s got a shop right in West Hollywood.”

Live video footage of the front of Nathaniel’s streams across the screen.

“Look at the line down the street at just ten in the morning for the store and they don’t open for another hour,” Shayna explains as the camera spans down a long stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard.

“There’s no way the fashion world can ignore Nathaniel and his style now,” Terry states.

“I would have to agree with you on that,” comments Shayna. “I think we need to end our show a littler early because I want him dressing me if he can make Chris’ date look as good as he did!”

“You’re too funny Shayna,” Terry answers. “I’m definitely in the spending mood, though. Let’s go!”

The television cuts to the next story.

“You okay?” Joe checks.

“Huh?” I reply, wrapping my head around what we just saw. “Yeah. I think so. You?”

Joe laughs. “It’ll blow over in a few days. Lets get something to eat.”

“Sure,” I agree quickly when I see the women in the room staring at me funny.

Joe and I snack on some fruit before hopping into separate showers to get ready for the day while our friends continue to sleep. Anna makes a small breakfast for Joe and me which is ready by the time we finish getting dressed.

Wanting to put the news about Chris and me out of my mind, I pick up my iPad and start working on things for Raven. I’m able to get some work done for about an hour until I turn on my email program. The inbox for Naturally Me endlessly chimes full of new emails, leaving a total count at four hundred and forty-four. Bing. Make that six hundred and twenty-five and still counting when I turn it back off.

By one-thirty, Joe and I are in his dining room eating lunch when Maggie and Henry join us. Conversations are inconsequential as they get their morning cup of coffee and tea to wake up. Joe and I both refrain from mentioning the news we saw earlier. We’re able to eat in peace until Jimmy and Allen stride into the room about fifteen minutes later.

“Sources tell us that Chris’ exceptionally hot date for the premier is, in fact, his girlfriend. Sorry ladies, this superhero is taken. We have yet to discover more about who she is other than her name, but that won’t stop us. Who is Emma?” Jimmy reads excitedly.


He continues to read more, but my brain tunes him out while I do my best to stay calm and rational.

“You are a heartbreaker, Emma,” Allen adds.

“How so?” I question.

“There are going to be a lot of women sad to know that Chris is off the market,” Jimmy explains.

“But, he’s not off the market,” I contend.

“Doesn’t matter,” Allen counters.

“Of course it does,” I rebut.

“The truth doesn’t matter to them,” Allen comments.

“You might want to look into bodyguards,” Jimmy adds.