“I finally caved and answered her texts. I told her I was really busy at work lately and that I’d call her later in the week.” She groaned. “But I have no idea what to say.” She needed a solid plan of defense in case her mom nagged her into committing tobringing a date to the wedding. Or worse, about going out with Cal or Nick.
Xavier looked sympathetic. “It’s tough to make family happy. Auggie and I were just talking about Mom’s date last night.”
“Oh, how did it go?” She’d wondered about that a few times during her day. Thinking about Xavier and his family troubles took her mind off her own. How would a laid-back therapist handle family drama?
He sighed. “I think Mom’s a one-and-done with this guy.” He explained about Big Henry’s bad kissing, which had her laughing.
“Oh my gosh. A bad kisser is terrible.” She looked to Auggie. “Am I right? If they can’t kiss well, that’s a bad sign that a relationship probably won’t amount to much.”
Auggie nodded, reluctantly, so it seemed to Justine. “Yeah. That’s the truth. I typically try my guys out before dating them. No kiss, not even a little tease with second base, and I’m out.”
Xavier slapped a hand over his face. “Stop. Talking.”
“Oh, you’re okay with second base? I need a little more time than one date for that,” Justine confessed, trying to ignore the fact Xavier was a sexy guy, doing her best to factor him in as a friend with whom she could tease and laugh.
“Both of you. Stop.” He sounded in pain.
She caught Auggie grinning, looking from her to her brother. “No, tell us, Bro. From the dude’s point of view, what’s in a kiss? Or a first date?”
Xavier peeked through his fingers before putting his hand down. “This is torture, you know that?”
“Come on, Xavier. Don’t be such a baby,” Justine added.
He glared at her.
She grinned back.
Auggie laughed. “He always was the weakest in the family.”
“Fine. Yes, a kiss means a lot when you’re first dating. Trust me, women can be just as bad. Too much lip or tongue. Then all the groaning and rubbing all over a guy. It’s not always sexy, let me tell you.”
Auggie chuckled. “From the horse’s mouth, Justine. You should take notes.”
“Oh, I am.” She leaned forward and cupped her chin in her palm, her elbow on the table. Manners be damned. “Do continue.”
Xavier blushed, and she found the sight of his embarrassment too cute. “Look, I’m not saying a woman who goes for it isn’t sexy. But she has to be a little subtle.” He gave his sister the side-eye. “Not like a 5-Ton ramming at full speed.”
Justine noted Auggie’s glare and smothered a laugh.
“Subtle is sexy,” Xavier continued. “But a good kiss shares feelings and intent.”
“Oh my God, Xav. Sometimes sex is just sex. You can get down with a body and not care one fuck about feelings.”
“Nice mouth.”
“Yeah? Well, I know how to get what I want without all the babble that goes constantly through your mind.”
“Please. You’d need to have a few thoughts to share before macking it with any beef-bod in sight.”
Justine worried the two might get into a serious argument, their tones more aggressive. But Auggie burst into laughter.
“‘Beef-bod?’ What the hell is that?”
He gave a sheepish grin. “I don’t know. It just popped out.” He said to Justine, “See, this is how we communicate. Auggie drives me nuts, then I spout nonsense. It’s sad.”
“It’s actually pretty funny.” Justine snickered. “My sisters aren’t that great at arguing. Angela steamrolls over you while Mallory cajoles like a whipped puppy. I end up sitting there untilone of them shuts up. Then I act like I missed everything and ask them to repeat it. Never fails to annoy the heck out of them.”
“Hmm. Not a bad strategy,” Auggie said. “You’re not as dumb as you look.”
