Benji held up his food and drink. “I was going to eat dinner...”
“Perfect. I already ate. Now I get company.” Xavier smiled and waited.
Benji ambled closer before finally lowering his backpack and taking a seat. A good couple of inches taller than Xavier but leaner, the guy had to be close to his own age and did well enough working in the tech field. Xavier had a feeling Benji made a pretty decent salary but didn’t want more than a small apartment close to downtown Fremont.
The guy seemed to be trying to hide behind bad grooming. His unkempt full beard and mustache made him look a bit slovenly. His shaggy hair in desperate need of a cut didn’t help any. A lumbering giant who dressed in pop culture tee-shirts andshorts, no matter the weather, Benji had a surprising sense of humor under all the facial fur.
“So Top wasn’t good enough company?” Benji took a sip from his drink and pulled out a few mouthwatering burgers.
Xavier had lied. He hadn’t yet eaten, but he hadn’t seen or talked to Benji in a few days. He kept doodling and promised himself a meal after hanging with his shy friend.
“Top was just fine. And don’t say that too loudly or he might gut you when you’re not looking.” He glanced at Benji, saw him pale, and laughed. “Kidding, man.”
“Ha ha. You don’t see the way he looks at everyone. Like we’re future victims.”
“Nah, he’s just cautious. He’s been in some hard places.”
“Yeah, I could see that.” Benji bit enthusiastically into his food and groaned.
Xavier tried to look as if he wasn’t salivating. “How’s work? I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Been busy. New roll-out has a ton of bugs. I told my bosses to wait, but do they listen to me? No.” Benji continued to talk between bites about the lack of intelligent managers at his place of business.
“Why not apply to manage at the company yourself?”
A look of horror crossed Benji’s face. “Are you kidding me? And have to talk topeople?”
“Sorry. What was I thinking?”
“No kidding. You been drinking, bro?” Benji eyes crinkled, and Xavier swore he saw his lips quirk in a grin. “See? I can make jokes. I can talk to people. Certain people.”
Of the male variety, Xavier noticed. Benji could barely make eye contact with women, and when he did, he typically stammered and blushed a lot. Xavier had seen the guy stare pretty hard at Auggie, but when she’d tried to talk to him, he’d fled.
“What else is going on beside work? Anything?” Xavier asked.
“Still killing it atArrow Sins & Siege. My brother keeps telling me I should livestream, but no way. I mean, I love working where I do because I only have to go in twice a week and talk to all of three people. I don’t want them invading my home through my computer. My team leaders are fine with me doing all the work and leaving me alone to do it.”
“You do have a pretty nice setup.”
“You too. Must be nice to have a month off of work. But you still give advice to your neighbors.” Benji grinned. “You’re almost as good as Aunt Truth. I love reading her column. Plus, knowing it’s Rosie gives Aunt Truth even more credibility.”
Xavier snorted. “You know, I’m pretty sure Rosie has a confidentiality clause. But it feels like half this apartment knows all about it.”
“Well, we probably do. Rosie treats us all like family. When’s she coming back?”
Rosie Gallo had a way about her. Benji could talk to her without issue, at ease around the older woman. She’d taken to Adam’s nephews with ease, always welcoming them at any time. She and Kai, in 3E, were best friends. Top liked her. And hell, Xavier loved the woman. She’d cajoled him into helping her write her advice column, then insisted he take over when she went on her holiday, knowing how much he loved working on it.
He wondered if Justine knew her aunt’s secret identity and decided not to say anything unless Justine brought it up.
And why am I thinking about Justine again?
“Say, Benji, have you met Rosie’s niece, Justine? She’s really nice.”
He flushed. “Um, no. Not yet. Why?”
“Just asking. I met her the other day. She’s going to fit right in around here.”
“Until Rosie comes back.”
