Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (24 page)

The waiter greets us with a bottle of wine in hand, which from my angle it’s Dom Perignon. When the waiter offers, Joe takes a look at the bottle and nods. Next, the waiter pops the cork and fills both of our glasses. “I’ll let Chef Andrews know you are here Mr. Covelli,” the waiter confirms.

“What was that?” I question after the waiter leaves.

“What?”

“The bottle of Dom Perignon that we didn’t order and then the whole
I
’
ll let Chef Andrews know you
’
re here Mr. Covelli
statement,” I reply with a hushed, sarcastic voice. “And, where are the menus?”

Grinning, Joe answers, “I ordered the bottle of wine in advance. Chef Andrews knows my family and we don’t need menus since we’re having whatever the chef decides to prepare for us.”

“He’s deciding?” I press.

I’m not sure if I like this whole ordering my wine and food for me deal for a date.

“We have the same tastes. I told him what we do and don’t like.”

“How do you know my tastes?” I playfully contend.

“How many meals have we had together over the past two and a half months?”

He’s right. If anyone was paying attention to what I ate and what I’ve talked about, my tastes would be easily identifiable. Has Joe really taken notes? If so, why? This is weirding me out a little.

Joe holds up his glass of wine and toasts, “To trusting and trying new things and being surprised.”

I clink my glass with his, but I’m not in full agreement to his toast. To me, there are too many underlining messages he has buried in that statement.

Right as I’m about to begin my interrogation about Henry and the whole Hawaii trip, Chef Andrews himself is standing at our table. Joe immediately stands up to greet him. They hug and exchange pleasantries freely, proving that Joe was telling the truth and that he actually does know the chef.

“And who is this exquisitely stunning creature?” flatters Chef Andrews, delicately holding my hand and kissing it. He refrains from letting go for a few extra seconds.

“This is Emma Peterson,” Joe replies.

How does he know my full name? I’ve never told him and for both of my businesses, my full name is not listed anywhere on the internet. In fact, my businesses and my name are not public record.

“Since when have you had a girlfriend?”

“I’m not his girlfriend,” I immediately rebut.

“And, she’s feisty too! I like her already. I see why you’re with her,” Chef Andrews adds.

“She is most certainly feisty, but unfortunately we are not dating,” Joe comments with a hint of rosiness developing on his face. “But, we are on a date.”

“One step closer to marriage,” Chef Andrews announces.

“No,” I contend. “I don’t date and I especially don’t plan to ever get married.”

“Then why are you out on a date with him?”

“To extort information from him,” I explain.

“If you hadn’t seen her first, I would be chasing this one for myself. You are a lucky man, Joe,” Chef Andrews admits. “Is she like this all the time?”

I instantly blush at his compliment.

“Yes,” Joe confirms.

The heat in my face increases.

“I’m working on it being more than just extortion,” Joe states.

What did Joe just say? Did he just admit that he wants more from this date than what I had intended or agreed upon? Crap. Why does he feel so comfortable being this bold — this forward? What gave him the impression that there would even be a chance for anything to happen between us? I told him nothing would at Nathan’s and it’s like he never even heard me.

Aware of his time, Chef Andrews redirects our conversation. “Have you ever dined here before Ms. Emma?” He takes my hand again.

“Once,” I confirm the truth.

He kisses the back of my hand while eyeing Joe. “Well, I’ll be sure not to disappoint!” He bows to Joe before returning to the kitchen and Joe ushers my chair in again as I sit down.

I sip on my wine a few times before I’m fully refocused back on my task at hand. “So what do you know about Hawaii?”

“Going right for the kill, huh?” Joe laughs at my blatant directness.

“It’s why I’m here,” I reply fully composed.

“How about I’ll answer whatever you want to know when dessert is served?”

“
Whatever
I want to know?”

“Yes,
whatever
you want,” he agrees.

During our first three courses, caviar, followed by stir-fried eggplant with Chinese black bean glaze and rice puff, and then a vegetable cos cos with Padron peppers, asparagus and light tomato broth, Joe and I comment loosely about the food and other general topics when he evades some of my indirect questioning that pertains to Henry and Hawaii. He doesn’t comment that he notices, however, he just brings up another topic instead.

“I had an idea about how you can easily increase your profits for Raven Media without having to take on new clients or too many new staff members,” Joe mentions.

I’m not surprised that our conversation is venturing back to business; it’s typical for us.

“How?” I ask, full of intrigue.

“You said you created the entire software system yourself, right? From the ground up?” he searches.

“Yes, why?”

“Why not package it as a software program service for companies?”

“What do you mean?”

“There are businesses who have their own internal social media staff to handle each platform, but not a single system to access and monitor it all like Raven Media does. So, why don’t you offer it as a cloud-based system service? They pay a monthly fee and have functionality based on their needs,” he explains.

Soaking in his statement, my brain factors out what could be done and what it would entail.

“That’s a really great idea. I’d have to hire direct staff to handle that division and do some tweaking to the overall company structure, but I don’t see why it couldn’t be done,” I reply.

His point makes complete sense to me.

“I’d be happy to help in any way that I can,” Joe kindly offers.

“Thanks.”

I sit pondering the different things I can do and almost forget where I am and who I’m with for a few minutes until our next dish arrives to the table.

Taking a second bite, I finally ask, “So, how do you know Chef Andrews?”

“My brother, John Jr., and he were good friends growing up. Our families know each other.”

I nod my understanding since I have a mouthful of food. About to take another sip of wine, my hand stops just before the glass touches my lips. I see someone across the room heading in my direction. I quickly look away but not fast enough to not alert Joe.

“Everything okay?” Joe questions with a little concern in his voice.

“Yep,” I agree, keeping my attention on him. I take a gulp of wine.

“You sure?” he presses.

“Mmm hmm . . .” I begin to assure until I hear my name called.

“Emma!”

Crap. This is not good.

I awkwardly stand in an effort to not encourage the person to linger or to cause the potential for Joe and him to talk. “Hi, Chris,” my voice waivers a little. “What are you doing here?”

Chris places one hand on my waist and the other behind my neck, and taking me by surprise, plants a long kiss on my lips. My eyes are wide with shock and disbelief at his blatant, unwelcome show of affection in public.

Releasing my lips after I push away at his chest, Chris answers me. “I’m meeting with my agent. What are you doing here?” he asks, keeping his hands on me.

Joe clears his throat loud enough for Chris to turn his head. “Hi. I’m Joseph Covelli.” After he stands, Joe reaches his hand towards Chris.

There is a cool, calm, distinguished manner to Joe which catches me by surprise and ironically turns me on.

“Hey man, I’m Chris Cooper.”

“I know who you are,” Joe states. “Seen a number of your movies. Not bad.”

“Thanks,” Chris replies, still hovering near me. “Apologies, I thought you were Jared or Nathan.”

I don’t believe Chris. He wouldn’t dare act the way he did to Nathan or Jared.

“That’s okay,” I interject. “We should let you get to your agent.”

God this is awkward.

“It’s okay. I’ve got a minute. He’s not here yet.”

Chris is clearly not getting the hint.

“Caleb says you haven’t been back to Ayana’s since we last saw you.”

“Correct,” I confirm.

“I was hoping to see you again,” he admits.

“I’ve been busy.” I shift my body closer to the table, but he follows.

“Too busy to see me again?”

“I told you where things stood for me, Chris. They haven’t changed.”

Even if they had changed, I wouldn’t let Chris know. There is no chance for a relationship between us. I’m attracted to him, but not like that.

“Then why are you on a date with him?” Chris contends.

Chris’ bold question catches me off guard, leaving me temporarily speechless. The last thing I want to do is lie, but I don’t owe him any explanation either. I can’t believe this is happening to me right now.

Chris turns and extends his hand to Joe. “It’s nice to meet you.” Then, loud enough for Joe to hear him, Chris discloses to me, “I hope you’ll give me a chance too.” He kisses my cheek before walking away.

I take a moment to compose myself and then move to sit down.

Joe helps me into my seat without saying anything at first, but then makes it even more awkward when he rounds the table to his chair. “Nice guy.”

I glare at him for a moment before taking a huge gulp of wine. “He’s okay.”

“Good actor,” Joe adds.

“Mmm hmm,” I agree, trying to maintain self control by taking another large sip of wine.

“He’s the Chris who Nathan was teasing you about and the one getting the custom suit?”

“Yes,” I quickly confirm, wanting to move on from the topic.

Joe nods his understanding. “Well, if you do go on a date with him, let me know.”

I’m puzzled by his statement. Is he trying to torture me?

“I don’t plan on it, but why?”

“So I can get the first kiss of the date.” A wry smile forms on Joe’s face.

He’s not offended or uncomfortable by what just happened?

“I’ll consider it,” I reply, still in shock to his laid back manner. My body relaxes a little at his joke.

I appreciate him not taking offense to the whole situation and trying to help us both move on.

Joe and I have finished seven dishes of our nine-course meal and our conversation after the incident with Chris was a little awkward, but only for a few minutes.

When our eighth dish arrives, Joe surprises me. “So what do you want to know about Hawaii?”

“This isn’t dessert.”

“I know, but you’ve been a good sport about the whole date thing. Thought I’d show a little bit of mercy.”

I pause to think about what I want to ask. “Why won’t Henry let me pay for my share of the trip? I know he’s said the same thing to Jared and Nathan, but I just don’t understand. I can easily afford my portion of the trip.”

“Well . . . Why did you give Jared, Maggie and Nathan Teslas?”

“What does that have to do with this?”

A soft chuckle escapes his mouth. “A lot.”

“How?”

“Even though your friends can buy their own cars, you still went ahead and gave them as gifts anyway.”

“They were business deductions.”

“Yes, perhaps . . . then why haven’t you purchased vehicles for the rest of your staff whether they are employees or independent contractors?” Joe doesn’t give me a chance to really think about his question or answer before he continues. “Aside from the logical business side of it, you care deeply for your friends. You want them safe and happy.”

“That’s different,” I contend.

“How so?”

“I didn’t buy a car for any of my friends’ friends. Just my friends.”

“True. But, Henry believes his actions of including the three of you are an extension of his
love
for Maggie.”
“Don’t say the
L
word . . .” I request which gets Joe to laugh. “And, I don’t see the connection.”

I honestly don’t or my subconscious is deliberately avoiding it.

Joe laughs at my contention. “You
love
Jared, right?”

There he is using the L word. Does he think that his cute smile will suffice and making up for him saying it again?

“Of course. He’s my family.”

“And you would do anything for him?”

“Without a doubt. There is no question,” I affirm.

“And, the same is for Henry with Maggie. Money is just a resource to aid in their happiness together. The money provides choices and opportunities. It’s not a matter of whether you or anyone else can afford the same things. It’s a matter of enjoying life with each other.”

I bob my head back and forth while trying to wrap my head around his statement. I don’t agree, but I also don’t disagree.

Probably seeing the debate in my face, Joe continues his explanation. “Why did you put money behind Nathaniel’s?”

“Because it made sense as a business investment,” I quickly admit as a knee-jerk reaction.

“Then why haven’t you put money behind other fashion designers?”

I raise my brow, starting to see the connection though I don’t dare admit it.

“It’s not just about the investment. There are other designers with just as much potential and ability.”

“True,” I agree.

“It’s because you
love
Nathan and would do anything to see him happy and pursuing his dream. Your money is the tool that has provided him opportunities that he might not have had otherwise.”

“I guess so,” I unwillingly agree, accepting his clarification.

“Does it make you happy seeing Nathan happy?”

“Yes.”

“It makes Henry happy to see Maggie happy. It doesn’t matter if it costs money or not to him. That’s what you do when you
love
someone.”

“I told you not to use the
L
word,” I complain.

Joe just laughs.

“Besides . . . what do you know about . . .
love
?” It takes a few seconds for the last word to escape my mouth.