Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (40 page)

“Did Joe say if Jimmy and Allen are going to making it?”

“They were ninety percent sure last time I talked to Joe, but I”ll double check since I’ve got to call him anyway about the gift. I’ll text you,” I say.

“Great. I’ve got to go. I need to finish a few things before Jared gets here,” he indicates.

“Sure. See you tomorrow, babe.”

“Love you,” Nathan declares.

“Love you too,” I add.

Not wanting to call or text Joe right away, and avoid any chance of him trying to come over, I take Sadie out for a long, peaceful stroll. An hour later, I change and rebound before hopping into the bathtub.

Twenty minutes into my relaxing bath, my phone chirps.

“Hey, beautiful,” Joe writes.

I dry off my hands and pick up the phone to respond. “Hey.”

“Jimmy and Allen just arrived,” he offers.

“Awesome.”

“What are you up to?”

With a grin, I admit the truth, “In the tub.”

There’s no way he’s coming over if Jimmy and Allen are with him and a girl can have a little fun.

“Mmm . . .” he texts. “I’d be there in less than five minutes if my brother wasn’t here.”

“What makes you think I’d open the door?”

“Don’t know. But, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t beg to be let in,” he muses. “How did your day go?”

“Good. Got a lot more filming done. Maggie and Henry have a photographer and videographer. How was your day?”

“Long, but good. Would have been better if you were around. Who’d they get?”

He sure knows how to make a woman feel special.

“Hired Ian from the Naturally Me crew. How’s the birthday gift?” I redirect our attention.

“Good. You sure Jared’s going to like it?”

“If not, he’ll hate me for a while,” I explain.

“I don’t think he’ll hate you,” Joe consoles.

“Thanks.”

“Want to sneak over to cuddle?”

Laughing, I write back, “No.”

I do want to feel his body on mine, but the idea of getting caught is not appealing to me. I’m not sure what we are doing, but I like it.

“Please,” he begs.

“Use your pillow,” I suggest.

“I am. It’s not the same, especially when it doesn’t smell or feel like you,” he writes. “When can I see you again?”

“You’re going to see me tomorrow,” I remind.

“Not like that,” he texts.

“Like how?” I question, feigning ignorance.

“Just you and me,” he explains. “Alone. Snuggling.”

“Not sure,” I answer.

I want to see him sooner than later, but I’m getting nervous. I’m not sure where things are going with him. I like the flirting. It’s fun. However, I do know that I’m tempted to break more of my rules.

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because?” he searches.

I don’t write back.

“Tomorrow, then,” he confirms.

“Tomorrow,” I agree.

“I’ll pick you up at three,” he instructs.

“Sounds good,” I write with eager anticipation.

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

“Goodnight, Joe.”

Wednesday morning I pick up Maggie’s save-the-date cards and hop on the train with Sadie to meet up with her and the rest of the family at the Li home. In less than two hours, Mŭqīn, Nǎinai, Amy, Jade and I have the announcements sealed and ready to be sent out in the mail. Amelia, Henry and Mrs. Wú join us shortly after and we go over more details for the engagement party. Normally, I would invite Jared along, but with his party tonight, I don’t want the cat getting out of the bag.

I excuse myself from the group of women around one-thirty to head home and start preparing for Jared’s party. Before leaving, I give Henry the green light to fill everyone in on the plan and the secrecy. We should be safe from Jared knowing, but I remind Henry not to let Maggie talk to Jared until tonight.

Once home, I rebound for a few minutes before getting into the shower. As I finish getting my dress on, Joe texts that he’s coming up. Fifteen minutes early as always. I rush to double check Sadie’s bag and finish transferring items to my gold clutch. There’s a knock on my door just as I’m about to put my shoes on.

Wearing an elegant navy blue pinstriped suit and crisp, light blue dress shirt, Joe greets me with a passionate kiss before the door is opened all the way. “Hey, beautiful,” he says in his sexy voice.

“Hey,” I reply in a similar tone. I’m immediately lost in his ocean blue eyes that shine with his suit.

“Looks like we’re matching,” he says.

Glancing down at our clothes, because I temporarily forgot what I put on, I notice what he’s talking about. I’m wearing a navy blue dress that has a squared-off scoop neckline that boasts a chic notch that accentuates my cleavage with puffed cap sleeves. I’ve accented my outfit with a curved double gold bar necklace and the gold bracelet Jared gave me for my twenty-first birthday that is engraved with the words of a Chinese proverb,
Where there is life, there is hope
.

“You better put your shoes on or else we aren't leaving this apartment,” he confesses his internal thoughts.

Clearing my throat, I reluctantly slide away from his body. “Maybe I should change,” I comment.

“If you take that dress off you won’t be putting anything else back on,” he declares, sliding his right hand on my hip.

I flush at his forwardness. Joe’s getting more daring — a little too daring perhaps. Determined to stay clothed and to adhere to my rules, I put aside my concern of our matching outfits. I’m not ready to humor the idea of us doing anything sexual, let alone give him any indication that there’s any chance for something to happen.

Once my shoes are on, Joe escorts me down to his black Rolls Royce Phantom. We slide into the back seats with Sadie first, followed by me and then Joe. Joe’s driver temporarily pulls into his building for us to drop off Sadie; Anna is watching her for the night.

Walking into the Mondrian lobby, Joe and I are greeted by the manager immediately. Before following the manager to Skybar that is located on the roof, I inform him that I need to take care of something first and I’ll meet him there in approximately twenty minutes.

Getting into the elevator, Joe steadies me as we rise to the sixth floor. I’m excited and nervous at what is about to happen.

“You ready?” Joe breathes into my ear.

“Mmm hmm,” I return as my heart beats faster.

This is it. Hesitating for a moment, I breathe in deeply to relax my jitters. Joe’s hand raises slowly and knocks.

“Coming,” is faintly said on the other side of the door. The door opens and we’re greeted by a smiling, older gentleman with salt and pepper hair and dark amber eyes. “You must be Emma,” his raspy, sweet voice announces. He delicately takes my right hand in his and kisses my knuckles. “You’re more beautiful than I expected from the photos on your website.”

“Thanks,” I accept as he steps in to hug me. I return the sentiment to easy both our nerves.

“You must be Joseph,” he adds extending his hand forward. “Emma’s boyfriend, I presume.”

“Just friends,” Joe corrects with a grin.

“Looks like you’re working on fixing that from the looks of it,” the older gentleman replies.

I nudge Joe at his open response that is smeared all over his face. “May we come in,” I ask, trying to change the subject.

“Yes, yes. Please come in. Where are my manners?!”

Joe remains standing as I sit in one of the small chairs by a round table.

“Mr. Frasier . . .” I begin.

“Please, call me Aaron,” he insists.

“Mr. . . . Aaron. It’s so nice to finally meet you,” I continue.

“Likewise, Emma. You don’t know what this all means to me,” his voice cracks as he sits on the edge of the bed.

“I just hope that our efforts aren’t for nothing,” I admit sheepishly.

“Just to be able to see him again will bring peace to my heart, even if he wants nothing to do with me,” the older man sitting in front of me reveals. “If Jared is the person you say he has become, all we can do is believe in him.”

“I agree.” Checking the clock on my phone, I explain, “Everyone is scheduled to be here within the next half hour. I have to meet with the manager upstairs to review a few things, but you are more than welcome to join Joe and me instead of staying here, if you’d like.”

“Sure, that would be lovely. What time is Jared supposed to get here?”

“Not until around five,” I report.

The three of us head up to Skybar and I’m very pleased to find that the staff has provided everything that was requested and the decor is more beautiful than I expected. As the manager and I wrap up our conversation, Maggie, Henry and the rest of the Li family are ushered in minus the children. Jimmy and Allen arrive five minutes later along with Mr. and Mrs. Wú.

Joe and I make introductions with our friends and family to Mr. Aaron Frasier before the rest of the invited guests are allowed to join us. Maggie immediately cries when she meets Mr. Frasier and the entire family openly accepts him. I only hope that Jared does the same.

By the time all of the guests have arrived, I get a text from Nathan that he and Jared are just five minutes away. I instruct everyone to take their seats at the dining tables around the room. Maggie, Joe, Henry, Jimmy, Allen, the Li family and I hover near the main entrance before all the lights, but a few hanging Christmas style lights, are turned off.

As the door is held open for Nathan and Jared to enter, the main lights are switched on and everyone shouts “Happy Birthday!”

With tears forming in his eyes, Jared greets everyone who comes up to him.

We’ve finally surprised him for his birthday. Aside from our immediate family, I’ve invited a large group of friends and acquaintances Jared has made over the years. Molly, Garrett, Sophie, Ian and his wife, Vanessa and her boyfriend, and Connor and his boyfriend are with us just to name a few of the hundred people we invited.

As cocktails and hors d’oeuvres begin to be served, I lead Mr. Frasier over to Jared. The look of shock consumes Jared’s face as the awareness of whom I’m with sets in. To preface everything before anything happens, I address Jared and take full responsibility. “Jared if you’re going to be mad at anyone, please only be mad at me.”

“Jared,” Mr. Frasier musters, holding back sobs.

“Pop-Pop?!” Jared mumbles. “Is it really you?”

“Yes, my dear boy. I’ve missed you so much,” Mr. Frasier confirms, reaching forward to Jared.

Within a blink of an eye, Jared rushes towards his grandfather and hugs him. My anxiety dissipates at seeing the warm and happy reunion, and I fight the urge to cry myself. Maggie wraps her arms around me as we stand and watch our best friend reunite with a long lost family member.

Jared’s Pop-Pop, Mr. Aaron Frasier reached out to me online in March through Naturally Me. It took me two weeks before I sent a reply because I was nervous and not sure what to do. I initially avoided telling Nathan and Maggie because I wasn’t sure if Mr. Frasier was telling the truth.

Over time, Mr. Frasier explained to me and shared stories that he was Jared’s grandfather. I confided in Joe and he helped me hire a private investigator to validate my suspicions and Mr. Frasier’s claims before telling anyone else. Once I had proof beyond some of the pictures Mr. Frasier shared over time, I spoke to Nathan during one of our business meetings when Jared wasn’t around. Nathan and I debated back and forth about our apprehension before ultimately deciding on reacquainting them. The question no longer became should we, it was then a matter of how and when.

Mr. Frasier is Jared’s mother’s father. Not long after losing his wife to illness, Mr. Frasier had also lost his only grandson after the incident with Jared and Jared’s father. Apparently, Mr. Frasier had known that Jared was different at an early age despite his daughter’s and son-in-law’s denial. When he found out that Jared had left, Mr. Frasier has been searching for Jared ever since. Mr. Frasier didn’t want Jared to think he felt the same way as Jared’s parents.

Leaving Jared and Mr. Frasier alone, the rest of my friends and family mingle with our guests. The two men have a lot of catching up to do and I’ve got plenty of time to hear all about it. I’m just happy that the reunion is a positive one.

Sometime later, I feel familiar arms wrap around me from behind.

“Thank you,” Jared cries into my neck.

Spinning to see him, I return the gesture. “You’re welcome.”

Not wanting to let go, Jared and I stay locked for a long while.

“I love you,” he professes.

“I love you too,” I genuinely remark.

“You don’t know how much this means to me . . .” he begins before tears take over again.

“We’ve got plenty of time for you to tell me all about it,” I encourage.

“Yeah,” Jared sobs. “I wish I could do the same for you.”

“Tonight isn’t about me,” I scold gently. “I’ve given Mr. Frasier accommodations until Sunday here at the hotel and I also got you and Nathan a room for tonight.”

“Yeah, they told me. He insists you call him
Pop-Pop
,” Jared affirms, nuzzling more into my neck.

“
Pop-Pop
it is.” After a few minutes of our embrace, I pull back a little and wipe the tears from Jared’s face. “This is supposed to be a happy day,” I tease.

“It is. These are happy tears,” he explains.

“Good,” I say. “Today is your birthday. Go visit with your grandfather. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You better not,” he taunts, kissing me on the nose.

The rest of the night, the air is filled with love, laughter and happiness and the man of the hour is Jared. The DJ plays wicked music for dancing, we have half naked men as servers who also put on a burlesque show for the birthday boy, all courtesy of Nathan, and the drinks and food are endless.

I finally sneak out to use the restroom and to take a breather. As I step through the doors to head back into the party, I hear Jared getting on the microphone.

“Excuse me everyone,” Jared begins.

A hush gradually drapes the crowd.

“Excuse me. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for coming tonight. It means so much to me.”

A few people whistle and yell Jared’s name.

“There are a few people here that I want to acknowledge and thank. Emma, Maggie and Nathan. I love you! Thank you for making tonight happen.” Jared clears his throat before continuing. “If you haven’t met him already, please make sure you meet Pop-Pop.” Jared pulls Pop-Pop up on stage. “I haven’t seen my grandfather for ten years . . . .”

The crowd erupts with cheers and whistles.

“And . . . he wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for someone else in this room . . . someone very special to me,” he pauses to hold back tears. “Emma . . . where are you,
Kitten
?”

Dread consumes me. Jared knows I hate being the center of attention, especially with large crowds. I duck into a corner to hide.

“I know you’re out there. Stop hiding and get your ass up here,
Kitten
,” Jared requests with an assertive but loving tone.

Joe snatches my hand and drags me to the stage as I shake my head profusely. Crap. How did he find me? Maggie pushes me from behind.

“No, no, no . . .” I mutter.

A few people meow as I’m pulled closer to the stage.

“Here she is . . .” Jared announces as he helps me up the stairs. “You’re going to need to get used to this for Maggie’s wedding,” he broadcasts over the microphone.

I wince at the truth as everyone politely laughs. See a chance, I try to flee.

“Ohh no you don’t . . .” Jared stresses. “You’re staying right here.” He wraps his left arm around me holding me tight. “Words can not express my deepest gratitude to my girl . . . my sister . . . my
Kitten
. . . my Emma . . . for making tonight even better, by helping bring my Pop-Pop back to me. I love you, Emma.” Jared squeezes me and kisses my cheek.

The crowd cheers and applauds as the discomfort settles into my bones.

“So with that said . . . thank you everyone, again, and enjoy the rest of the evening!”

I’m grateful for Jared’s short speech and know that I’ll get over it after another drink or two.

Later in the night, Pop-Pop and I share with Jared and the rest of the family the whole story of how Pop-Pop came to be here at the party. Jared apologized to Joe for not including him when thanking Nathan, Maggie and me, but Joe was a gentleman about it.

Everyone stays until the place closes, except Maggie’s family. Thankfully, all of our guests graciously leave as the staff politely leads the way out.

Pop-Pop is a trooper and stays up until our time in the restaurant comes to a close. Joe and I walk Pop-Pop back to his room, and when we get there, Nathan comes out the room across the hall and reveals that the hotel arranged for him and Jared to be near Pop-Pop, allowing their conversations to easily continue into the night.

Joe takes me home, but we stop by his place first to get Sadie. We find Sadie and Anna asleep on the couch when we get in. Jimmy and Allen aren’t back yet, which means they’re still out partying or with my friends.