Xander’s face brightens. “So, we might get to work together?”
“Probably.”
He licks his lips. “I guess I have even more to look forward to when I move to Chicago.”
I laugh as Xander’s phone buzzes.
He groans. “Ten bucks, that’s Noah.” Reading his phone, he puts his forehead on my chest, groaning again.
I kiss his forehead. “What’s so horrible?”
“Noah wants to meet up for breakfast. Piper slipped out on him. He’s freaking.”
I run my hand through his hair, disappointed he has to leave, but I put a smile on my face. “Sounds like he needs a friend right now.”
Xander picks his head up and kisses me. “He can wait,” he murmurs, and I once again get lost in a perfect storm of Xander and Charlotte.
I geta text from Xander later that day. “Noah’s a right mess.”
“What happened? Piper isn’t answering our calls or text messages.”
“She told Noah she has a hot date tonight and to stop bothering her.”
I roll my eyes and feel bad for Noah. “I am 99 percent sure that Piper does not have a date. Tell Noah to chill. She’s just trying to get under his skin.”
“Mission accomplished,” Xander writes back.
I send some crying emojis.
Xander sends a GIF of a knife stabbing a heart.
I text Piper. “You need to respond to us. Whatis going on?”
Xander sends me another text. “It appears I’m on friend duty all night. I want to see you before I go back. Can I take you to breakfast, or brunch, or whatever people do in Chicago on a Sunday?”
Excitement shoots through me, and it’s replaced with disappointment when I remember I have to work. “Sorry, I’m in surgery all day tomorrow. I won’t finish until two or possibly even four.”
Minutes go by then he responds, “Bummer. My flight leaves at four thirty. What time do you start work?”
“Four.”
“Early day. So what time do you leave your place to get to work by four? Just wondering for future reference.”
“Around three thirty.”
“Good to know. Noah’s freaking out again, so I have to go.”
“Have fun.”
He sends me a kiss emoji.
I send him one back.
I want to see Xander again. It sounds like the only way I’ll get to before he goes is if Piper answers her phone, and we can all somehow meet up. I call Piper again, but it goes to voice mail.
Damn it. I really like this guy, and four months will be a long time to wait.
It’s3:25 a.m. on Sunday, and my phone rings. Xander’s name pops up on the screen.
