Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(83)

“Maggie and I will finish our meeting and have lunch. If you and one of the guys need to be closer to block people from coming over when the restaurant opens, then fine,” I instruct.

“Yes, Ms. Emma,” he replies and turns, taking only a few steps away.

I watch Taylor lift his right hand to talk into his communicator to the rest of the team.

“Are you sure, Emma?” Maggie questions.

Looking at her and then M?qīn, I say with a smile, “Yes. Besides, we might as well have Peking Wok get some press too.”

As the people flock into the restaurant, I do my best to stay focused on Maggie. My phone keeps buzzing from Joe every few minutes and I ignore it, not wanting to explain anything to Maggie. I get her talking easily, bouncing from one topic to the next as we eat. When I realized about ten bites into my entree that Joe won’t stop calling until I answer, I text Taylor to come to the table.

“Everything okay, Ms. Emma?”

“Taylor, please, just call me Emma,” I instruct.

He nods. “What do you need?”

“I was hoping you could get Caesar to clear a path to the ladies room,” I mention.

I don’t need to explain any further as Taylor instructs the team with his communicator. I wince a little when I realize that he just broadcasted to all of them my need to pee. Maggie tries to get up with me, but I tell her it would be better for me to sneak in and out by myself. Sadie stays with Maggie per my instruction as I confidently make my way across the restaurant to Caesar who is waiting patiently for me outside the women’s room.

“No one’s in there, Emma,” Caesar informs.

“Oh, thanks,” I comment.

I text Joe that I’m not free to talk, but reassure him about the crowd and that I’ll be fine. When I return to the table, several young girls try to approach, but Taylor and Caesar are quick to block them with their bodies.

“Taylor,” I call.

“Yes, Emma,” he replies.

“Let them through,” I direct.

Taylor nods and takes one step to the left to let the two girls pass. Caesar’s attention stays forward, scanning the room as Taylor’s stays fixed on the teenagers. Maggie and I smile sweetly at them, hoping to ease the nervous looks written all over the faces.

“Hello,” I greet.

“Hi . . . Emma,” the slightly taller girl stutters.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m . . . Rachel . . . Cheng . . . and this is my sister, Tina,” she replies with a shaky tone.

“Hi,” Tina meekly greets.

“Nice to meet you, Rachel and Tina,” I return, looking at each of them as I say their names.

“Um . . . we were just wondering if we could get a picture with you,” Rachel bashfully requests.

“Sure,” I answer.

“Really?” Tina squeaks.

“Of course,” I comment.

I swing my legs out from under the table and the two girls stand on either side of me, each raising their phones. They instruct me who’s taking the photo first and I look at that phone and then the next once the photo has been taken.


“Can we meet Sadie?” Rachel asks timidly.

“Of course,” I agree.

Sadie pops out from under the table, sniffing and licking the girls’ hands. She eagerly accepts their affection.

“Can I ask you something, Emma?” Tina inquires.

“What’s that?” I instantly reply.

“Do you mind if we post these photos on our social media?”

With a genuine smile, I comment, “It would be an honor.”

“Really?” Rachel beams.

“Really,” I confirm.

“How was the movie?” Tina blurts.

“It was very good,” I comment. “I definitely recommend it.”

The sisters smile, nod and bow before turning to leave. They giggle when Rachel bumps into Taylor. Tina makes a remark in Mandarin to Rachel which cause Maggie and I to laugh. Their faces blush when they realize that Maggie and I understood their comment about how cute Taylor is, darting away like a flicker of light.

When it comes time to leave, Taylor, Caesar, and two of Maggie’s bodyguards, escort us to Deacon who is waiting with the car. As the door of the restaurant opens to the streets, the crowd shouts my name — they’re blocked by the police from coming too close. I smile and wave to the group on my right before Maggie, Sadie and I climb into the back of Maggie’s car. Deacon is able to maneuver through the streets smoothly in a matter of just a few seconds thanks to the police barricade. Once it’s confirmed that we aren’t being followed, Deacon steers the car back toward my apartment.

Maggie comes up to the apartment with me to hang out, but I know she’s just making sure I’m good after the incident. When we round the corner from the elevator, Sadie takes off for a hard run down the hall and I stop in my tracks for a second when I see Joe standing outside my door.

“What’s going on?” Maggie questions quietly with a devious smile.

“I don’t know,” I comment.

“Jared and I wanted to make sure you’re okay after what happened downtown,” Joe states, not giving Maggie a chance to say anything about his surprise visit.

“I told Jared we were fine,” I mention impassively.