My body jerks up as I scream out in horror. My heart is pounding, my lungs are heaving, and my entire body is shaking.
“Emma?! Emma, are you alright?” Maggie calls out as she fumbles with something.
Sadie is whimpering and scrambling to calm me. Jared and Nathan barge into the room.
Wrapping his arms around me, Jared pulls me into his chest, draping my legs across his lap as a parent would for a child. “It’s okay Emma. It’s okay.” Jared’s actions are routine from the years of us living together and me waking up like this.
Nathan sits across from Jared and me as he strokes my hair while Maggie presses her face into my back. Sadie wedges herself between Nathan and me, placing her head on my leg as Jared rocks us gently back and forth.
My body trembles as I recount the nightmare to myself. The dream has always been the same until now and my mind is perplexed at the image of Maggie’s face as the truck driver. I bury my face into Jared’s chest as I shake my head, trying to rid the pictures from my memory.
“Has it always been like this?” Nathan whispers.
“No,” Jared answers. “It hasn’t been like this in a long time.”
Jared knows the brunt of my nightmares since we met. It took months before I stopped waking up screaming from them.
“I’ve never seen her this bad,” Maggie sighs.
“She had one a few weeks ago the morning of our meeting, but she seemed fine when I got there. I’m not sure why they are happening as often. She’s gone months without having them,” Jared discloses as he pulls me in tighter.
“What’s causing them to come back?” Nathan searches.
“I honestly don’t know,” Jared says. “How was she last night when you two went to bed?”
“Fine. Like normal. Nothing different,” Maggie replies.
We sit in silence for a long while. Sometime later, I wake and find everyone passed out on the bed. I get up and head into the kitchen, feeding Sadie once I realize what time it is.
Maggie is he first to join me in the living room.
“What time are we meeting Romeo?” I tease.
“I told them to meet us at the courts for eight-thirty.”
“At least the two sleeping beauties can rest a little more,” I say.
“Glad to have my Kitten back,” Jared says, suddenly exiting the bedroom.
My grin widens seeing him ease. “Me too.”
“You rebounding this morning?” Nathan asks as he yawns, entering the room.
“Just to loosen up. I want to be on my A-game for kicking some butt,” I reply playfully.
“That’s what I was thinking,” Nathan replies. “I figured you haven’t lost your competitive side.”
“Nope.”
“Be nice today, Emma,” Maggie says.
“I’m always nice,” I refute.
Jared and Nathan snicker.
“You know what I mean,” she counters.
“She’s serious, Emma,” Jared says. “She’s even using Nǎinai’s finger wave. You better watch out.”
We have a small breakfast and then get ready for the beach. Maggie’s attention is mostly on texting Henry rather than helping me pack.
“Which Tesla should we take?” Jared asks as we exit the condo.
Not looking up from texting, Maggie replies, “I left my keys inside.”
“Mine then,” Nathan suggests before smacking me on my ass.
“Cute. Just hope we aren’t on opposite teams today,” I threaten.
We’re at the volleyball courts in just ten minutes since there’s barely anybody on the roads this early on a Saturday morning.
“They should be here any minute,” Maggie shouts.
“Yay,” Jared yells in a mocking tone as he jumps up and down and claps his hands. Maggie sticks her tongue out in protest while Nathan and I laugh.
As the boys and I finish getting the umbrella situated, we turn to see Maggie running to the entryway of the fenced parking lot.
“They’re here,” Jared squeals into Nathan’s ear while wrapping one of his arms around his shoulders.
As Maggie, Henry, and Joe approach the fence, Sadie whines, so I signal her that she can go greet them. Sadie gets to Joe first and is met warmly by him. I’m still perplexed at her response to him. She only does that with a few people within our little family.
Henry and Joe immediately hug Jared. He introduces them to Nathan who openly hugs them.
Henry reaches out his hand and I shake it happily, “Good morning, Emma.”
“Good morning, Henry,” I return warmly.
My attention goes to Joe next who can wear workout clothes as good as he wears a suit. “Hi Joe,” I say with the same smile I gave Henry.
“Good morning, Emma,” Joe returns with a full smile happy.
My lady parts tingle at his warm touch.
“Is it just the six of us?” Henry questions.
“For now. But we usually pick up a few more as the morning passes,” Nathan replies.
“Cool,” Henry acknowledges.
Joe nods in agreement.
“I’m on Henry’s team,” Maggie announces.
“Should we have the girls on different teams to make it fair?” Joe questions.
“Sure,” Jared mocks. “We should definitely make it fair.”
We take to the court.
“Hey, Joe! Do you want a front view or back view while we play?” Jared inquires.
I glance over at them when I hear his remarks and spot Joe looking away. Was he just checking me out?
Nathan roars with laughter as Joe blushes a little.
“You’re right,” Nathan says loudly. “He’s totally into her. But then again, what straight guy wouldn’t be?”
I shake my head in protest and mild irritation.
We divide up into our teams and begin playing. Henry, Maggie, and Nathan are on one team and Jared, Joe, and I are on the other. With one person up front and two in the back, we volley for the serve as I stand in the back left position, Jared is in front and Joe is to my right. Jared purposefully misses the ball when he and Nathan jump up at the net, letting Nathan win.
Henry serves first in my direction as I pop it up for Jared who lobs it over the net.
“Come on man. Play the game. Stop flirting with Nathan,” I whine.
“What?!” Jared retorts.
I glare at him. “You know you’re getting laid tonight regardless, so you better play,” I chide.
Jared eyes Nathan who nods.
“Emma,” Maggie scolds with embarrassment in her voice.
By the time I get to serve, it’s five to three and my team is losing. “This one is for you, Dartmouth!” I shout to get Henry’s attention which is on Maggie.
I hurl the ball into the air. It spirals towards Henry’s feet faster than he expects, causing him to miss the ball.
“Four-to-five!” I broadcast as I look for Joe’s response.
“Be nice Emma,” Maggie scolds.
“What?!” I reply. “I’m just playing the game. It’s not my fault if he’s not going to pay attention.”
She shakes her head at me.
“Fine,” I huff.
Aside from my competitive nature, my eagerness to get the tension out from the nightmare earlier is going to need to be tempered a little.
“Let the torture begin,” Jared proclaims.
“Don’t encourage her,” Maggie scolds.
Nathan laughs. “You better bring your A-Game now girl! This is no time to be all cutesy for a guy.”
Maggie’s face flushes a little as her eyes widen. Though she’s short, Maggie can play a mean volleyball game when she wants to. She’s nowhere near as competitive as I am, but she starts to get the look in her eye that she’s not going down without a fight.
“There’s my Mags,” Jared coaxes her.
“It’s on,” Maggie confirms with determination.
I serve four more times bringing the score to eight-to-five with my team in the lead before we falter. Maggie sends a sharp serve over that causes Joe and I to almost collide.
“Call it!” Jared shouts.
“Six-to-eight,” Maggie announces, pleased with herself before her second serve.
Nathan pops it up, forcing me to line it up to the net for Joe to send over towards Maggie. Jared boasts as we win the serve. I jump on him with my arms and legs wrapped around his body, almost knocking him to the ground. We continue playing until my team wins by one point, fifteen-to-fourteen.
Taking a break, everyone starts hydrating. Sadie greets everyone, wanting attention as I pour her some water and a few snacks into her bowls.
Maggie’s team triumphantly wins the second game by two points. Getting ready to start our third game, all of the guys are shirtless. Trying not to directly stare, my peripheral pays attention to Joe’s body. There’s not an ounce of fat on the man with his rippling muscles. For an East Coast boy, he’s got a slight tan and no sign of tan lines. His muscles sparkle as a hint of sunlight bounces off his sweat. He’s got a little bit of chest hair that tapers down into a happy trail to the edge of his shorts. I feel an increase in moisture between my legs as a small gust of wind passes by me. Focus, Emma.
A group of guys joins us just as we take the court, making it five people per team. The new teammates take their turns flirting with Maggie and me. Maggie tries to ignore them while playing or talking with Henry. I, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoy the attention and flirt back even adding Joe to the mix so he doesn’t feel left out. My team wins again, by two points. By the end of the fourth game, Maggie’s team has won and we call it a draw. The four guys who joined us are sad when our group informs them we were done for the day.
“Henry and I are going for a walk on the beach,” Maggie shares after speaking.
“Good idea,” Jared replies. He looks at Nathan. “Wanna go for a walk cutie?”
“Of course."
The four of them disappear.
“Looks like it’s just you and me,” Joe states the obvious.
“Yep.”
He helps me get the chairs and coolers packed into Nathan’s car as Sadie bounces around us.
I grab Sadie’s ball and look at Joe. “You mind letting her run and play a little?”
“Not at all."
We start walking in the opposite direction from the rest of our group. There are fewer people, so it’s easier to give Sadie more room to run. We walk quietly to the water’s edge and stay just enough away from the ocean, knowing its cold.
“I didn’t mean to be rude earlier,” Joe says as he scratches his head. “When I was asking if we should split you and Maggie up for teams.”
“No big deal,” I reply.
“I didn’t think you girls couldn’t play. I—”
“Don’t worry about it,” I reassure. “No hard feelings.”
Joe nods.
After a few more steps, I say, “Please don’t think I’m…not a nice person.”
“Why would I think that?” he asks. He picks up the ball and tosses it for Sadie.
“I know I can seem a little gruff and mean, and I wasn’t very nice when we all first met.”
“Not at all. I know you’re just protective of your friends. I admire that.”
I look at him with a softened look. “Thanks.”
Aside from my sexual attraction to him, I actually feel very comfortable with Joe. A kind of comfort I felt with Jared and Nathan when I first meet them, though I know Joe is not gay. What is happening?
We decide to sit in the sand after a little bit as Sadie bounces into the water chasing the waves and back to us. Anytime there is silence between us, it isn’t awkward for me and it doesn’t appear that way for him.
“No interrogation for me today,” he teases as he bumps my shoulder.
“No….not now, anyway,” I reply with a smile knowing he’s baiting me.
“Do you mind if I ask a few questions?”
I cringe at the thought, though I make him think I’m considering it.
“Nothing too intrusive. Just a few questions.”
“I guess…” I say with my voice trailing off as our eyes meet.
He hesitates for a moment like he’s considering what to ask first, “Henry is like one of my brothers. I only want to see him happy. So, I guess I was just wondering, from your perspective, what their relationship does and could mean to Maggie?”
“She’s not a heart breaker or a gold digger if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I wasn’t trying to imply—”
“It’s okay,” I say, interrupting him. “Maggie is the type of girl who has fallen for guys easily in the past just to have her heart broken.” I pause for a brief moment. “I can see there is a connection between the two of them. A connection I’ve never seen her have with any guy.” My thoughts, and where they are leading, cause me to stop, not wanting to say them out loud.
“Good. I mean…I’m sorry, that came out wrong,” Joe huffs bashfully.
“You’re protective of him,” I state. “No different than with me and Maggie.”
Silence falls between us.
“So, should I be worried about your boyfriend seeing us talking? If he’s the jealous type?”
“No. No boyfriend.”
“Really?” he replies. “I can’t believe for one second that a woman as beautiful as yourself doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
He’s totally hitting on me and I find myself enjoying it.
“Really?!”
“Well, I’d ask about a girlfriend, but that was ruled out at New Year’s by Nǎinai,” he chuckles.
Deciding how I want to answer, I glare at him with a grin before responding. “Do you really think flirting with me will help your case?”
“Is it working?” Joe asks with a large smile.
“No,” I reply, holding my ground. “Besides I don’t date.”
“Must be your pleasant personality when people first meet you,” he teases, bumping his shoulder into mine again.
“I’m not going to respond to that,” I declare as I shake my head and push his shoulder.
He sits laughing under his breath at his little victory as I look away trying not to smile. I can’t let him see that he’s gotten to me. I find myself more turned on. Our eyes meet for a moment and his gaze captivates me.
Joe’s eyes suddenly dart up, and before I can respond, someone is trying to wrestle me. He pins me to the ground. Jared’s temporary victory doesn’t hold me long as my reflexes from the years of training kick in. Within just a few seconds, I’ve got him pinned in a Jujitsu move that I know he can’t get out of.
“Shit!” Jared whimpers.
Nathan is laughing hysterically at our entanglement.
“Should we break them up?” Joe asks.
“Not at all,” Nathan reassures. “They do this all the time. Kind of like a big brother little sister thing.”
“Say it,” I command.
“Never!” shouts Jared.
“Would you two stop it! Somebody’s going to get hurt,” Maggie yells as she runs toward us.
“Never,” Jared repeats. Frustrated with his position, he tries anything and everything to get free. “Get ready Nathan!”
Jared squeezes my leg, causing me to yelp and release him. Before I can compose myself from being tickled, Nathan grabs my legs and Jared has my arms secured behind my back.
“The only way you ever win is by cheating! Don’t think I won’t get even!” I declare.
They proceed to stand up and head towards the water.
“Don’t you even think about it!” I shout.
I start thrashing my body up and down, bending at the waist, trying to break free. Nathan tries to pull a little on my legs to sturdy himself while temporarily hindering my movement.
“Leave her alone,” Maggie commands in the distance.
I call for Sadie but all she does is run around us as we get closer to the water. Once we’re on the water’s edge, I give a sudden thrust with my entire body, knocking all three of us down into the oncoming wave.
“Shit!” Jared yells, scrambling to his feet.
“Damn that’s cold!” Nathan shouts, rushing out.
“Serves you right for trying to mess with Emma,” Maggie scolds as she tentatively heads toward us.
“Yoooooou…ssssssuckkkkkk,” I stammer as I slowly creep up out of the water, exposing my shivering body that has been drenched. I place my arms across my chest, not concerned about the fact that I’m wearing a white shirt, but because the water in California this time of year is that cold, especially when the wind gusts along incessantly.
“We weren’t really going to throw you in,” Jared claims, walking towards me hesitantly. “Honest.”
“Shame on us,” Nathan laughs.
It was funny although I was the one who went into the water the most. At least I got them too.
Because the wind is making it worse, I peel off my shirt.
Joe moves toward me as he takes off his shirt and hands it to me, “Here. I have extra in the car.”
“Thanks, but I’m fine,” I claim, too proud to cover up from the cold as my teeth chatter.
He grins while biting his bottom lip. I watch his eyes travel down to my breasts. I smile back at him not caring at this point.
“I’ll take it,” Maggie says as she drapes it around my shoulders.
“Do we have any towels?” Jared asks.
“They’re in the car,” I say with my teeth chattering less.
“Where are the keys?” Henry asks. “I can go get them.”
“Hooked on Sadie’s leash,” I say, pointing in the direction of where I was sitting.
Henry grabs the keys and jogs to the car as we all follow behind. As we approach the car, Maggie grabs one of the towels and rubs me down, including my breasts, rear end, and thighs. Though I protest, she ignores me. I don’t think she realizes that we’re being watched by more than just our friends.
“Looks like we should change before heading to lunch,” Nathan states.
“Yep,” I agree, taking the towel from her. “Maggie, I’m good. Thanks.”
“What? Oh, okay,” she replies. She leans toward me. “Do you mind if I ride back with Henry?”
“No,” I assure.
I put my running jacket on as Jared opens the door for me. Does he honestly think that an act of chivalry will win him back into my favor?
I signal for Sadie to get in and I follow after putting a towel on the seat. Nathan jumps behind the wheel and starts the car as Jared climbs in. Two seconds later, the other back door opens.
“You joining us?” Nathan says more of a statement than a question.
“I figured I should give them a little privacy,” Joe says, sliding in. He looks over at me and smiles. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. Thanks.”
“I turned on the heat for your seat, Emma,” Nathan says.
“Thanks. I’ve got you car registration and insurance,” I reply. “Don’t let me forget to give it to you.”
“Why didn’t you give it to me yesterday?”
“Wasn’t thinking about it. Popped into my head just now.”
“Why do you have his car information?” Joe questions.
“She technically owes it,” Jared answers.
“No, I don’t,” I protest.
“Okay. My bad. Actually, her company owns it,” he explains. “They’re all company cars.”
“All?” Joe searches.
“Yep. Nathan’s, mine, and Maggie’s,” Jared confirms.
“Smart…” Joe comments. “But funny.”
“What’s funny?” I ask.
“You hate cars but technically own three,” he says with a chuckle. “I understand why. It’s just funny.”
“I know. Right?!” Jared snorts.
Back at the condo, Nathan shows Henry and Joe the third bedroom and offers them to change and to even stay the night.
“Nothing fancy,” Jared states. “We’re just hanging out.”
“What do you boys like to eat?” Nathan asks.
“I’m not picky, “ Joe responds.
“Me either,” Henry agrees.
Nathan opens the far door of the Jack-and-Jill bathroom. “Where should we go to eat?”
I shrug. “RFD?” I question back.
“Oh, I haven’t eaten there in a long time,” Nathan sighs.
“There’s only two and a half bath here boys, so you’ll need to wait for the girls to finish showering before you can jump in,” Jared instructs.
“Unless you want to—”
“Don’t even go there,” I reprimand Nathan as I snap a towel on his backside.
“You girls can shower first,” Henry offers.
“Thanks,” Maggie says with bubbly enthusiasm. She gives me a look. I know she wants to spend more time with Henry, so I don’t mind. Plus, I’m still a little chilled.
The shower is invigorating. I stand for probably five minutes under the steaming hotness before moving to wash. When I enter our room, I’m relieved to find it empty and close the door before changing.
“Got kicked out of your room?” I ask when I find Joe on the couch, still shirtless, with his iPad and Sadie.
“How can you tell?” he responds sarcastically.
I nod while rolling my eyes.
We both look over towards Nathan’s room suddenly as we hear some soft moans echoing.
“Do you have access to your stuff?” I ask, wanting to redirect our attention to something else.
“Yeah, I left my bags just over there. I figured, if we stay, I might be on the couch tonight. Why?” he asks.
“Might as well take your turn in the shower,” I suggest. “I doubt that Maggie or Henry will be next. There are plenty of towels in there too.”
“Thanks,” he says as he gets up.
I show Joe where everything is in the bathroom. Turning around to give him privacy, I almost bump into him. I apologies before telling him to let me know if he needs anything and exit the room.
I pound on Nathan’s door to give fair warning. They immediately take the hint. As I turn to head towards the room where Maggie and Henry are, I catch the sight of Joe standing in the doorway with nothing but a towel around his waist.
“Everything okay,” he questions.
“Yeah,” I mutter.
He nods and then disappears a second later. I take a deep breath in and out. I lost myself there, my mind imaging what was under his towel and what I would like to do to him.
Thankfully, everyone doesn’t take long to get ready for lunch.
Our conversations are light and fun as we dine at one of our favorite restaurants. We share a few appetizers, have entrees, and now we’re considering our dessert options. Maggie declines, but all of the guys are in for something sweet. I happily join them.
“How can you eat all of what you ate and more, and…um…?” Henry asks. A small flush rises in his cheeks.
Joe snickers. “And, have the body she has?”
Nathan and Jared chuckle as they look at me for my response. Maggie tries to suppress a giggle.
“I’m a very physically active person.”
More laughter stirs from Nathan and Jared. I know that their idea of my physical activities is not limited to only working out, hiking, or self-defense. But then again, they probably think sex is a sport as well.
“She loves to rebound,” Maggie adds eagerly.
“Rebound?” Henry inquires.
“I have a rebounder at home.”
“That, and we go trampolining too. It’s so much fun,” Maggie shares. “We go all the time.”
“It sounds fun!” Joe states.
“Definitely,” Henry agrees.
“We should all go tomorrow,” Nathan recommends eagerly. “Now you boys have to stay the night.”
As excited as I am to go trampolining, I’m not excited about the idea of them sleeping over. It is Nathan’s home and he’s the host, so I can’t object. Maybe this is a good thing? With Joe here too, I doubt that Maggie will sleep with Henry let alone share a bed with him. Plus, this allows us all to get to know each other a little better. I wouldn’t mind getting to know Joe better—Henry. I mean I wouldn’t mind getting to know Henry better.
“The class or free jump?” I ask.
“Free jump is better for newbies. That way you don’t get scared off by it. There’s the pit and everything. You’ll see!”
“A pit?” Joe inquires.
“The pit is awesome,” Maggie says.
Dessert arrives and everyone tries a sample of what each other has.
“Would you like some, Emma?” Joe asks.
Before I can even answer, Jared interrupts, “Don’t give her any. That’s her favorite and she’ll eat it all.”
“Gee thanks,” I say.
“If you’re lucky, maybe she’ll eat you all up too!” Nathan roars with laughter while Maggie giggles and Joe blushes.
Smirking and taking another bite of my dessert, I say, “He wishes.”
My statement prompts Joe to blush more. A little playful banter never hurt — or did it? My playfulness causes an eager look in Maggie’s eyes as she craves for my response to be true. I disappoint with a head shake as Nathan and Jared almost choke on their cupcake. I nearly snort my bite through my nose as I watch Jared and Nathan.
After lunch, we head toward the Third Street Promenade.
“Ooh, I ate too much,” Jared whines.
“Good thing we’re going jumping tomorrow,” Nathan teases.
“What are we in the mood to do?” Maggie asks.
“A movie?” Nathan suggests.
Everyone nods in agreement.
“What about Sadie?” Joe asks.
“She’s got her service dog vest on, so she can go anywhere,” I return.
“Oh, that’s what that is,” Joe says. “Why do you need that?”
“She’s fully trained and certified, not because I need it, but because I wanted people to look at her breed differently as well as be able to take her anywhere I go,” I reply.
“Wow. That’s awesome,” Joe says. “I haven’t had a dog since I was a teenager. I just couldn’t get another one after Duke died.” Joe catches me trying to conceal a giggle. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh nothing,” I lie, subduing a laugh. “I’m sorry about your dog dying… it’s just that…I can’t believe you named him Duke.”
“Why is that funny?”
“Nothing,” I mutter.
“Just say it,” he insists. “Get it out.”
“Is Duke short for something?” I ask.
“No. Why?”
“For some strange reason, I pictured that you named him Duke Wellington III or something,” I say, losing control and giggling.
Joe shakes his head and states, “Just Duke. Why would you think that?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I smile and declare, “I don’t know. I guess I just expected a weird name like that. You are a Manhattanite.”
“So you’re checking up on me?”
“Just making sure you and your friend aren’t creepy,” I assure.
“Creepy?”
“Yeah. Creepy. I’ve heard stories about all you boys who come from billionaire families. Weird names and fetishes,” I retort.
“There are a few creepy ones. I’ll give you that. But, Henry and I are not them.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” I quip.
Joe and I walk in silence for the next block, only looking back and forth at each other, smirking each time. Joe’s fun, not like other straight guys I’ve dealt with or the weird friends of Maggie’s ex-boyfriends. We actually can have a conversation and he doesn’t get on my nerves.
“Which movie?” Jared asks when we arrive at the theater.
“Romantic comedy!” Maggie shouts.
“That’s all you ever want to watch,” I whine.
“I like being happy and they make me happy. So, that’s my vote,” she declares, sticking her tongue out.
“Mature,” I bait, sticking my tongue out back at her.
“What do you boys like?” Nathan asks Henry and Joe.
“I’ll watch anything,” Henry says.
“I like romantic comedies,” Joe states with a smirk.
“How about a sci-fi?” I suggest.
“I’m picking or else we’ll never agree,” Jared announces.
Jared gets tickets for the next showing of a romantic comedy that starts in just over an hour.
Not excited with the movie selection, I hint, “Remember, paybacks are still coming for earlier and this just adds to the pile.”
He gives me a pleading hug and kiss in an attempt to sway me.
To kill time, we bounce between a few stores. Maggie and Henry are talking the entire time, practically ignoring us. Nathan is checking out some of the clothing stores to see if they hint at anything about the upcoming Summer Season as well as to get some ideas for his women’s line.
“Try this on for me, please,” Nathan says, shoving a dress to my chest.
“Seriously?” I whine.
“Yes, seriously. I need to see it on a woman’s body and your body happens to be right here,” he directs. “Jared will watch Sadie. Go.” He shoos me away as Jared takes Sadie’s leash and sits on the padded bench in front of the dressing room.
Joe stays nearby as Maggie and Henry lag behind in their own little world.
Rolling my eyes, I grab the dress and head to the changing room. “I need a different size,” I state without coming out of the room once I have the dress on.
“Why?” Nathan inquires. “It should fit your proportions.”
“It does, all but one.” I wince when he suddenly opens the door, exposing me to everyone in the store.
“Damn girl, did they get bigger!” Nathan gasps as his eyes inflate. He pokes one of my boobs repeatedly.
I swat his hand away as I blush a little. “No. It’s the dress.”
“You look hot, Emma!” Jared states. “Doesn’t she look hot, Joe?”
I blush as every straight man within earshot stares. Joe doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t have to since his eyes are glued to my chest and the expression on his face says everything.
“Put these on,” Nathan instructs, handing me a pair of black platform pumps.
“I don’t wear platform heels,” I remind, refusing to take them. I go to cross my arms but stop when I realize that the gesture only makes my breasts pop out more.
“Fine,” he huffs, putting them back.
I take the next pair he picks and hold onto his shoulder while slightly bending forward, lifting one foot at a time behind me to get them on. Nathan takes my hand and leads me to a mirror a few feet away. I stand with my hands on my hips as he inspects every seam. He never touches me or the dress, except to gently guide my hands up from my hips momentarily. Snatching his phone out of his pocket, he takes a few pictures, both from a distance and up close.
After what feels like an eternity I ask, “Are you done?”
“Yep. Thanks.”
I rush into the changing room and hand him the shoes and dress once they’re off.
I’m in the midst of buttoning up my pants when Jared says, “You should totally get the dress, Emma.”
I wait to respond until I’m finished changing and leaving the dressing room. “No.”
“Why not? Every girl needs a couple of little, black dresses in her closet,” Jared challenges.
“I have enough black dresses.”
“You don’t have that black dress,” Jared contends.
“I wouldn’t wear it to the places we go,” I lie.
“I bet Joe could think of a few places to take you to get you in and out of that dress,” Nathan teases with a devilish smile. “Right, Joe?”
Clearing his voice and blushing, Joe mutters, “Definitely.” His eyes go to me and then he quickly looks away as he scratches his head.
This is not good. I know we’ve had some playful banter, but it feels like it’s gone beyond innocent flirting. Okay. Maybe it hasn’t been completely innocent, but it’s crossing a line I’m not comfortable with. A line that shouldn’t be crossed, because if it is, I break my rules. My rules cannot be broken.
I choose not to respond and take Sadie’s leash from Jared, heading over to Maggie and Henry. I’m relieved when Maggie and Henry don’t say a word about the dress and what just happened. From the looks of it, they didn’t see or hear any of it.
I won’t admit it openly, but the romantic comedy is very good. I don’t mind those movies. I just don’t feel comfortable watching them with a guy whom I’m attracted to, a guy I can’t have sex with, but part of me is curious about what it would be like. The thought of sleeping with him enters my mind.
Maybe if I just get it out of my system I’ll be fine? I’ve never been really impressed with any of the guys I’ve slept with, so maybe the same thing would happen with him. However, what if it’s better than I expect? Or, what if things got weird because it is or isn’t and then I have to be around him all the time because our friends eventually get married.
Back at the condo, Nathan starts setting up his new grill for dinner. Jared and Joe are helping Nathan as Maggie and Henry are on the couch cuddling and talking. I feed Sadie and take her out for a walk, wanting some distance and personal space before helping with dinner. Deciding to take a longer walk than usual, I notice Sadie is moving slowly towards the end. She must be tired from the day. I sit on a bench along Ocean Avenue as Sadie stands with her front paws on the bench enjoying me scratching her behind her ears.
My phone chimes.
“I can see you!” Jared writes.
I wave my hand in the air without turning around.
“I see you waving! You okay?” he asks.
“I’m fine. Just enjoying the view,” I text with a smiley emoji.
“I think the grill is good to go.”
I giggle at the thought that it took two gay men and one straight guy to figure out a grill this whole time. I can understand why Jared and Nathan have a challenge with a machine like that because they’ve never used one, but Joe? Well, I guess they don’t do any cooking or grilling themselves in high society.
“Sounds good. On my way back,” I reply.
Everyone sits at Nathan’s dining room table, eating, sharing stories, joking, and laughing for several hours. At one point during the meal, I sit back and watch how naturally everyone gets along and enjoys each other’s company. It feels like our little family is growing which makes me happy and sad at the same time. I smile at a comment Henry makes as I glance around the table. Locking eyes with Joe, I get the distinct feeling he knows what’s going through my head as he gives me a comforting smirk. I need to make sure I don’t show my feelings outwardly.
Everyone helps clean up the table and food before changing into pajamas and heading to the couches for a night of board games. After playing for hours, Nathan and Jared call it a night first, but I know they’re off to have sex. About ten minutes later, Maggie and Henry venture into the third bedroom while Joe and I are left to ourselves in the living room.
Breaking the silence, I figure now would be a good time to get to know Joe a little more. I shift onto the middle of the couch and Sadie places herself between Joe and me.
“How many are in your family?” I ask.
With a devious grin, Joe states, “For every question you ask, I get to ask one too.”
Pondering my options, I agree. I doubt he’ll ask too many questions that I don’t want to answer and if he does, I just won’t respond.
“Do you want the short description or the long description of my family?”
“Whichever you prefer sharing.”
Joe shifts, moving a few inches closer. “There are my parents, John and Elaine. My grandparents on my mom’s side, Leonardo and Magdalena. My father’s father, Angelo. My father’s mother, Viviana passed a few years ago. Then there’s my aunt, my mom’s sister, Olivia, who is married to Uncle Ben. My father’s two brothers, Gabriel and Alexander, who are married to my aunts, Elizabeth and Cecilia, and five cousins between the two of them, my six brothers—”
“Six brothers?” I repeat. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” he says with a chuckle. He waits for a second to let all of his already lengthy description sink in before continuing, “John Junior, my oldest brother and his wife, Emily, and their two children, Lily and John I. Then David and his wife, Charlotte, who is pregnant. Daniel, David’s twin, and his wife, Isabella, who is also pregnant. Then, there’s Anthony, Thomas, James and his boyfriend, Allen, and then me. That’s the immediate family.”
“So you are the youngest?” I ask.
“Yes. So, what about your family?”
“My family? You’ve met them.”
“No, I didn’t,” he says.
“Yes, you did. At New Year’s,” I reply.
“I’m talking about your real family.”
“They are my real family,” I insist.
“I mean your biological family.”
I look down at Sadie, stroking her lightly while trying to decide what I’m willing to share and how to present it. “They’re in Jersey. Your girlfriend must not like you being all the way out here on the West Coast.”
“No girlfriend.”
“So, you’re a heart breaker, huh?” I taunt.
“No. I just hadn’t found the right one yet,” he states.
“So, are any of your other brothers involved in the family business?”
“No. Just me. That’s two more questions I get to ask.”
“No.” I lie.
“So, how often do you see your family in Jersey?”
“Not as often as I used to,” I say.
“I’m sure they miss you,” he says rather than questions.
“It’s not a big deal.” Wanting to move the conversation forward, I ask, “So, what did you study in college?”
“Business and economics. I had a double major,” he says without hesitation. “How is it not a big deal? They’re your family.”
“Because it isn’t.”
“I’m sure they want to see—”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Sure it does,” he coaxes.
“No, it doesn’t,” I say heatedly rising from the couch.
“How?”
“Because they’re dead.” I storm to my bedroom slamming the door behind me after Sadie enters. I rest my back against the door trying to regain my composure.
I’m not mad at Joe, I know that. I’m mad at having to explain myself — that I exposed myself. Why did I say anything? I told myself that I wouldn’t share. I could have just told him to ask a different question.
A knock on the door startles me. I don’t move, but I turn my head in the direction of the knob.
“Emma?” Joe whispers. “Emma, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to make you upset.”