Gavin immediately put a hand to his hair, which caused Xavier to laugh.
After slugging him and calling him something Xavier would never repeat in front of his mother, Gavin stalked away with threats about setting Auggie on Xavier’s tail.
Taking that to heart, Xavier grabbed his things and left. He already had plans with Auggie the following day, when they would discuss their mom’s date. Cynthia and Big Henry had plans later in the evening. Apparently, Big Henry was taking their mom to dinner and a movie.
Personally, Xavier would forgo a movie on a first date. When trying to get to know someone, having to be quiet while in atheater didn’t seem productive. Then again, Auggie had set their mom up with Big Henry—a nice enough man who put more stock in bulking up than in conversation. But again, he seemed pleasant and was more than interested in their mom.
Once back at the apartment complex and rid of thoughts about his mother dating again—God help me—the rest of Xavier’s night went smoothly. He filtered through emails, answered a fewAunt Truthadvice questions, and went over some older notes from his practice, using his time off to update patient files and get better organized.
Despite this minor break, Xavier felt good about his job. He’d come back from his time in the Marine Corps both wiser and happier. A people person, Xavier put stock in emotions and attitudes, and wanting to serve continued in his daily life. He liked helping people, communicating. Top’s sneering aboutfeelingsandcommunicationonly made him laugh; they were Xavier’s lifeblood. Drawn more to relationship dynamics than individual concerns, he’d focused his career on interpersonal relationships.
Going to school to get his LMFT license, then his masters in the subject, had been enough for him. He didn’t have the patience to go for a doctorate. After a good six years of college and two years to intern and license, he’d spent the past three years helping people heal. But giving his all took its toll, so his current hiatus allowed him to recover.
It hadn’t helped that he’d been mired in Christine’s bullshit for way too long. He needed a healthy homelife to balance work.
And hell, a healthy sex life would have been ideal too.
But after time, his relationship, both emotionally and sexually, had fizzled.
He wondered if it had been the same for Justine. She’d said she tired of trying to please her ex. Just one more thing they had in common.
As he settled into bed, he continued to tell himself to stop making more out of his friendship with the woman. He finally had a great friend—not his sister, a work associate, or gym rat—that he could easily talk to. One who had expressly said she wasn’t looking for a relationship. He didn’t want to ruin that by being just another swinging dick pestering her for what she didn’t want to give.
No. He respected Justine. He liked the heck out of her. Every time they spoke, he looked forward to the next time they’d meet. And that was...nice. Normal. Something men and women should be able to be without complicating everything with sex.
He kept telling himself that as he fell asleep.
And woke up having dreamt of her, once again.
His dreams puthis temper out of whack and, annoyed with himself, he spent the day frazzled and off-kilter. Which didn’t help his meeting with Auggie later that evening.
Xavier stared at her. “He didwhat?”
Auggie shushed him. “Would you stop? Mom told me this in confidence. You know she seems to know everyone in this freaking city. Keep it down, moron.”
“You just said Big Henry kissed her. On the first date?” Xavier was incensed.
“Oh my God. She’s not a virgin, Xav.” Auggie rolled her eyes. “Besides, she said it was like kissing a plunger, all wet, rubbery, and slobbery. But I never told you that, because she confided in me on the pain of death.”
He twisted an invisible key across his lips then ruined it by talking again. “Sealed. But Auggie, you suggested they go out. Did he make moves on her as soon as he showed up or what?” As much as he didn’t want details, he needed them. His poor mother.
“They did go out. And they had fun at dinner. She said she wished they could have ignored the movie and talked more, but you know, ‘Big Henry ain’t about talkin’.’” She mimicked the man perfectly. “Don’t look at me that way. He’s a respectful guy and good looking. You should see what he benches.”
“I don’t care what he benches, so long as he’s not benching Mom,” he muttered.
She laughed like a loon. “Oh, relax. Mom had a nice time. If Big Henry hadn’t shown what a bad kisser and talker he was, they’d probably go out again. But she told me one date was enough.”
“Oh, so it’s my turn, then, eh?”
“I guess.” Auggie looked glum.
“My friend Lee’s been divorced for five years. No kids. A really nice guy and I think he’s close to Mom’s age, maybe a few years younger.”
She winced. “A shrink?”
“A damn good one. He helped Gavin out.”
Auggie brightened. “Oh, okay then.” She slugged him in the arm before he could dodge her.
