He answered her with humor and some insightful commentary. The therapist in him never far from the surface, apparently. Yet Justine didn’t mind. She found herself more and more attracted to Xavier’s quick wit and thoughtfulness. She also liked that in some instances he very much acted stereotypical, thoroughly enchanted by the violent scenes of fighting on TV.
“Wow. That’s a move. I bet he wrestled in high school, maybe college.”
“Thinking about grappling for fun? Don’t look at me,” Katie warned. “Though Justine’s been known to be pretty scrappy.”
“Oh, stop.” Justine’s face had felt permanently warm all night. “Rolling around in the sand doesn’t look appealing. Plus, you get sand in all sorts of places.”
The episode ended, finally, and before a new one could get started—they’d already watched two—she paused the series.
“Good point.” Xavier stood and stretched, and Katie shot a quick gaze at his crotch and gave her a subtle thumbs up.
Fortunately, he missed it.
Justine looked at the floor, trying not to laugh, and felt as if she’d left all her dignity in the other room. Katie never failed to make life fun, that was for sure.
“I feel like I’ve monopolized your evening. Sorry about that.” He smiled down at her.
Justine smiled back, lost in his sparkling brown eyes and full mouth drawn up in amusement.
So when Katie cleared her throat, she startled.
“Time for me to go. I’m so tired.” Katie’s yawn was beyond fake. But she bolted out the door with a “Call you tomorrow,” leaving Justine all alone with Xavier.
“Again, sorry for popping over unannounced. But I learned so much.” Xavier chuckled. “Katie’s hilarious. She and Auggie really do need to meet.”
“I don’t know if the world would survive such a cataclysmic meeting of minds,” she said drily, which had Xavier laughing hysterically.
“Thanks. I needed tonight. Cataclysmic.” He guffawed some more. “I had fun. I hope I wasn’t imposing, but you did ask me to stay.”
“I’m glad you did.” Not a lie. Being around Xavier made Justine feel good. Oddly, she felt safe with him. Sure, Xavier had height and muscle, but he just radiated security. She never feared he’d make fun of her for something she said or did, or that he’d turn mean if he didn’t get his way. Which was ridiculous, because they weren’t dating or anything, and she didn’t know him that well.
But of all her friends and family, only Katie was never malicious or condescending with teasing. And now Xavier fit in Justine’s tiny trust bucket.
Xavier frowned. “You look tired. I should go.”
“Wait.” She stood. “What did you come over to talk about?”
“Oh. Well, I...” He studied her face, and she wondered what he saw. The pleasure of having him close? The attraction she tried to keep in check? Her growing curiosity about what a kiss against that soft-looking beard and mustache might feel like? To know the taste of him?
Xavier gave her a weird smile. “It’s not important. I had a blast tonight. More fun than I’ve had in a while, actually.”
She paused as a terrible thought crossed her mind. “Was it Katie?” she asked out loud and horrified herself for a second time. Would he want her number or something?
“Katie? She’s funny, sure. I like her sense of humor. She really brings you out of your shell.” He flushed. “God, I try, but I can’t take the work hat off. Forget I said that.”
Relieved he didn’t seem into her best friend, she shrugged. “No apologies needed. You’re right. With Katie, I can be me. I feel, I don’t know, freer.” She gave him a shy smile. “With you too. I feel like I can say anything and you won’t judge me for being stupid.”
“You’re not stupid.”
“No, I’m not.” She sighed. “I don’t know why I said that.” She did know why. Because she often felt stupid, not enough, underwhelming. But she refused to admit that to Xavier. Fortunately, he didn’t call her on it. “I just meant if I say something wrong, you wouldn’t take it as a statement about my intelligence or start judging me for it.”
“Well, I don’t know. If you think real men are like the ones you just saw inSpartacus,I might judge you for being too strict about physical fitness. I don’t come close to those oiled up gladiators.”
She flushed and joined him in his laughter. “You’re a goof.”
“Yep, that’s me.” He seemed delighted with her mock insult.
Their gazes locked, and that thick tension that had surged between them in the laundry room came back. She wanted so badly to walk into his arms and drag him down for a kiss.Make the first move, for heaven’s sake,she told herself. But she was frozen in indecision. What if he didn’t feel anything but platonic like for her?
