“Really? You don’t want to date him?”
“I do, but I don’t.” Justine sipped her drink and thought about it. “I mean, I’d love a relationship with someone who put me first for once. But I don’t want to tempt fate by losing the first guy friend I’ve had in... Well, in forever. Xavier’s so great. He doesn’t push me for anything I don’t want to give. But maybe that’s because we’re just friends right now. And yes, before you’re skeevy little mind can add ‘with benefits,’ fine, with benefits. But I think maybe we should just keep it to that one time.”
“You mean that one morning.”
Justine grinned. “It was a morning I’ll always treasure.”
They ate in silence for a bit before Katie said, “I see your point. I mean, you and Xavier are vibing as friends. You need more friends, and guys give you a perspective we just don’t have. I have to say, I like the guy. He’s pretty funny and seems self-confident. He held his own with you on Friday night, and apparently on Saturday.”
“Katie.”
Katie laughed. “You know what I mean. I’m happy for you, really.”
After a pause, Justine nudged her. “But...?”
“But I think you’re letting fear of failure stop you from maybe having a kickass boyfriend. Before you come at me, I know you just got out of a mess with Mitch. And you really should have quality me-time before hooking up with someone else. Normally. But how many Xaviers are there? He’s handsome, smart, independent, funny, and likes you for you. I’m justsaying. Friendship is great, but so is the possibility for more. Just think about it.”
“I know. You’re right. But it feels...” Justine didn’t know how to explain it. Her sexual marathon with Xavier had been idyllic. Almost unreal. Then she’d floated back down to earth to have a mature conversation with a man who wanted to let her set the pace. Xavier hadn’t pressured her or made her feel awkward for having been with him. She’d never experienced that kind of liberation before, and she wanted to see where that feeling took her.
Plus, he’d been adamant that he didn’t want their friendship to change. Knowing he valued her for more than her boobs gave her all the warm fuzzies.
Katie put a hand over Justine’s on the table. “I’m not badgering you. I swear. I only want my best friend to be happy.”
Justine glanced at their hands and smirked. “Does this mean I’m on a higher tier of best friend than Jon?” Katie’s other best pal and a really funny guy. Unfortunately, Justine and he never seemed to be in the same place at the same time. He had a very odd schedule.
“Yes, but don’t tell him that.” Katie looked around, as if Jon would pop up unexpectedly. “Besides, he doesn’t need me as much. He’s got a fiancé now.”
“No kidding?” Justine blinked. “Who? When did this happen?”
“It just happened, like, yesterday.” Katie frowned. “I want to be happy for him. I really do. But I have some reservations. He’s so smart and funny. I don’t know about Alan. He seems a lot more needy than is healthy. But he’s buff and famous—he models—and I think Jon’s blinded by all that.”
“He was pretty handsome.” And a bit narcissistic, in Justine’s opinion. Having met him and Jon two weeks ago at the bar, shehadn’t been overly impressed with Jon’s boyfriend. “I think you might be right. Jon can do so much better.”
While they continued eating and Katie gossiped about Jon and his many exes, Justine considered the state of her own personal life. She still couldn’t believe she and Xavier had hooked up, that it had been so good, and that she felt comfortable where they’d left things.
Normally, Justine dated men who liked to make the rules. But this time she was in the driver’s seat. And not because Xavier was trying to control her in some weird way or make her feel responsible for the totality of their friendship. She genuinely liked the fact that he respected her.
Huh. Had she ever been friends with a guy before dating him?
She didn’t think so. Most of the guys she’d dated she’d first met through friends or dating apps. The whole point of meeting each other had been to gauge a potential love interest. But Xavier had been a friend first. Not had been,was stilla friend.
She felt good about her choices and paid more attention to Katie’s complaining, hoping she and he could make their odd friendship work.
Tuesday,Justine’s boss from hell pulled her into his office for her yearly review.
Finally.
“Justine, I so love working with you. Your drive and dedication to the company are what make Mayze Creative such a great place.” Frank beamed with enthusiasm. “Now let’s talk about your projects.”
Frank appeared especially slick today, his dark hair styled just so, the wattage of his bright white smile and the approval in his light eyes shining. He had hisBest Bossmug turned to face her, and even that didn’t make him look like a putz. The guy could sell anything to anyone. Charismatic yet incompetent at the same time. Why couldn’t she have that same gene? Instead, Justine came across as pleasant and smart but weak. A pretty doormat, she’d once heard her father say of her.
Trying to push her father’s voice away, she focused instead on the paper file Frank read from.
They poured over her positive client feedback before touching on several projects of Frank’s she’d helped with. He had nothing but glowing praise for her, and her excitement over her pending raise grew.
“You are a wonderful addition to the team, as I said before. So I wanted to extend Laura’s role to you. She recently left the company, and it was a minor position, but you’re so capable, we think you’re a good fit for it. And of course, there’s that raise we promised you.” He mentioned a figure lower than she’d anticipated.
It took her a moment to understand what he’d said. “Wait. So I’m moving into Laura’s job?”
