Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(84)

“I know, but we wanted to make sure,” Joe replies. He leans in to hug Maggie first and then me. “Where’s your team?”

I shrug my shoulders and I can see some mild agitation in Joe’s eyes to my answer. I know where they are, but I’m not interested in reporting to him.

“Deacon and Malcolm drove us,” Maggie offers.

My phone chirps with a message from Taylor.

“See,” I say with a smile holding up my phone. “Taylor and the team have been here for a while. They took the train back and have been waiting.”

I watch Joe’s jaw clench a little.

“Why don’t we move inside,” Maggie suggest.

With a controlled smile, Joe instructs more than asks, “Call Jared.” He steps in to hug Maggie and me again. “I’ll let you ladies go. See you later.”

“Bye,” Maggie says.

“Later,” I comment.

With the door closed and locked behind us, Maggie asks, “Geez, what was that all about?”

I eye her, aware that she’s trying to downplay the speculation she’s hiding in her words. “You’d think Jared would know I can take care of myself.”

“You know how protective he is about us,” Maggie comments.

“I know,” I agree.

“I didn’t know Joe would be that protective too,” she adds.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snap.

“Nothing,” she counters with a smile.

“Maggie?”

“You’re torturing the poor guy,” she accuses.

“What? What are you talking about?” I feign.

“He obviously cares about you, Emma,” she delivers, laying it out on the table.

“Just because he has feelings for me . . . as you claim,” I quickly recover. “It doesn’t mean that I’m required to say or do anything other than be his friend.”

“Well, maybe you should reconsider,” she throws back playfully.

“What?” I gasp.

“It’s going to be a while before you’ll be able to troll again. And, if you won’t be with Chris, you might as well . . . .” she starts before I cut her off.

“Don’t you even dare finish that statement,” I demand.

Maggie’s smile widens, enjoying that she’s getting to me.

“I’ve got four hot guys as my bodyguards, if I’m tempted,” I rebut.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she debates. “You’d be breaking too many rules if you did.”

“The same would happen if I ever entertained the idea with Joe,” I quip.


“So, you have,” she antagonizes.

“No, I haven’t,” I lie.

My stomach turns each time a lie oozes from my lips. Lying to her is nauseating and breaks my heart.

Maggie giggles, brushing off our little conversation as if she’s been playing me this whole time. “Want to get naked? I’m horny.”

“Only you, Mags,” I comment, shaking my head.

“Well, I know you’re horny by how you reacted,” she teases.

I can’t help but laugh at her sudden directness. “Sure,” I return, happy to get some action since my arousal spiked when I saw Joe.

Maggie leaves before dinner, eager to get home to see Henry. Jared, Nathan and I talk via video chat for a long while. By the end of our conversation, I concede to their insistent requests of acquiring a personal vehicle.

“Good,” replies Jared. “Joe and I already lined up something for you, so your Tesla should be delivered tomorrow.”

“What!” I shout. “You went ahead and got one anyway?”

“Yep,” Nathan replies with a grin.

“You just agreed,” Jared stipulates.

“That was before I knew you already took action steps,” I challenge.

“Do you want to be trapped in that little apartment all the time?” Nathan asks with a snooty tone.

I don’t say anything.

“We got two,” Jared nervously admits.

“What!”

“Your team should have one too, unless you want all four of them driving around with you and Sadie,” he remarks.

I make a face like I’m considering it.

Nathan laughs. “You might as throw your rules out the door,” he states.

My phone chirps and a smirk smears across my face at who’s calling.

“Who’s that?” Nathan sings.

“A friend,” I reply.

“What friend?” Nathan challenges. “You’re talking to two out of three of your friends right now, and I know it’s not Maggie.”

“Ouch, that hurts,” I feign sadness. I pick up the phone and answer it, wanting to see their reaction. “Hey, cutie!”

“Hey, sexy! Saw you on the news and I had to call,” Javier reveals. “I would have called sooner, but I’ve been working long days none stop.”

“It’s so great to hear from you,” I say.

“Who is it?” Nathan and Jared shout through the video on my computer.

“Who’s that?” Javier checks.

“It’s my friends Jared and Nathan,” I inform. “Remember, I told you about them.”