“I can ask her questions.” Auggie turned to Justine. “I can ask you questions, can’t I?”
“Sure, I guess.” She could now see that Xavier had been right about his sister being a little more aggressive, whereas he came across as charming. “I’m pretty much an open book.”
“Do you like living at the building? I think it’s a little claustrophobic.”
“I don’t,” Xavier said. “I like knowing my neighbors.”
Justine relaxed into her seat, pleased to be done with her work day. “Everyone seems really nice. Well, except for the Super. He’s a little intimidating.”
Auggie grinned. “Nothing like a former Marine to keep the starch in his shorts. Top’s not a bad guy. Say something nice about the Corps and you’re in.”
Xavier frowned. “Um, not necessarily. I was in the Marines, same as you, and he still gives me a hassle.”
Justine blinked. “You were in the service?”
Before Xavier could answer, Auggie did. “Not just any service, but the best of them all. We’re prior Marine Corps.”
“You were too?” Justine asked Auggie, not surprised. Auggie looked fit and trim. Her take-charge attitude only bolstered the notion that the woman had lived a regimented lifestyle. “How long did you guys serve?”
“Xav served for four years. I did five. We got out, then we went to school. Xav for mind games and me for exercise science.” Auggie looked her over. “You ever think about getting into fitness? Maybe a bootcamp?”
Xavier sighed. “Leave her alone. And they weren’t mind games. I majored in psychology.”
“Yeah, like I said, mind games. And what’s your problem with a mini-bootcamp? I’m just saying. She could use a little more definition.” Auggie turned to Justine. “Guys always think they have the corner on getting buff. But women can too. Strengthening your core helps everything.”
“Oh, uh, good point.” Justine wondered if she looked as scrawny as she felt next to Xavier and his sister. “I like jogging when I get free time.” Actually, she didn’t, but she ran because she liked sweets a little too much. “And I was thinking about trying a new yoga class that opened near the coffee shop down the street from us.”
“Yoga’s good.” Auggie nodded. “But so are cardio, lifting, and strength training.”
“So wonderful to have your thoughts on Justine’s fitness routine,” Xavier said with no small amount of sarcasm. He shook his head. “Ignore her, Justine. When you get home after a long day, the fountain in the complex is terrific for destressing. And you don’t even have to sweat if you don’t want to.”
“Hey, sweat is good for the skin,” Auggie argued. “Opens your pores.”
“I like the indoor courtyard, actually,” Justine cut in before their identical frowns turned into an argument. “The flowers, the sound of the water falling. I was surprised at how peaceful it is...even though there’s an occasional teenager hanging around.” Justine chuckled. “I like Sam though.”
Xavier grinned. “You should see him with his brother, who’s a few years older. They’re really nice kids, though they run rings around Adam.”
“The poor guy. But good for him for helping his nephews.”
“Yeah. His sister is in and out of rehab, so he finally stepped in to give them a more stable homelife. Rosie filled me in a while ago when I was new. Gave me the lowdown on everyone in the building.”
“Really? What else should I know?”
“Well, I gave you the basics already. What Auggie said about Top is pretty smart. Honestly, though, he’s not that bad. No one at the complex is. Frankly, I’m surprised at how long Benji talked to you yesterday. He’s not a people person.”
“Benji talked to her?” Auggie looked as if she didn’t know what to make of that.
Xavier nodded. “They were connecting over a video game.”
“Oh.” Auggie tilted her head and studied Justine. “You’re into video games?”
Justine felt like a speck of dirt under that intense, probing look. “No. Well, yes, I like them, but I don’t have that much time to play. And I’m not very good.”
“Huh.”
She didn’t know what to make of Auggie’s answer.
Xavier asked, “So Justine, did you talk to your mom yet?”
