“Well, if you’re sure.”
“I love, ya, kid. But you have your own bullshit to deal with. You go have fun with Xavier and his friends. And don’t forget to contact Kenzie about some freelance work. You need to figure out your job situation. The sooner the better.”
“I know, and—” Her phone buzzing interrupted her. “Hold on.” She answered. “Hello? Mom?”
After a few minutes, Justine hung up and just stared at the empty plate in front of her.
“That didn’t sound good.” Katie stacked their dishes. “What’s this about dinner Thursday night?”
Justine groaned. “My mom wants to meet Xavier. She invited us for a family dinner.”
“Like I said, you have your own bullshit to deal with.” Katie shook her head. “I’m so glad my parents are low-middle class with only one kid who will probably never get married.”
“That’s you.”
“Duh. And I’m on the outs with relationships. Between your sisters, Jon, and my handful of one-date exes, I’m taking a break from the peen.”
Justine burst into laughter. “God, Katie.”
“Yep. Just me and the job. I’m only allowing myself one piece of trouble in my life at a time. You, girl, are juggling three.”
“Three?”
“Don’t forget, you’re only in your aunt’s place for the next two and a half months, unless she extends her vacation. So you have to deal with your sister’s wedding, your job, and finding a new place to live.”
“Thanks so much for reminding me.” Justine swallowed a sigh.
“Keeping it real for you. Enjoy game night with the hottie from 2C.”
“I think I will.” Justine stood and glared down at her friend. “After all, the rest of my life really sucks right now.”
“Exactly what I said. So if you’re smart, you’ll ride any part of the happy train and not look back. Now get out of here. I have to go comfort my other BFF about a loser ex-fiancé. Be grateful you get to go see Xavier and enjoy life while you can.”
“You have a point.”
“Don’t I always?”
CHAPTER 20
Justine arrived home, cleaned up, and changed into comfort clothing. As if taking off her work clothes could divorce her from her work problems entirely.
She texted Xavier about game night and received an invite to pop down whenever she was ready. He seemed so relaxed all the time, and she wondered about his lifestyle as she made her way to his apartment. Though Xavier had said he was on a hiatus from his job, surely he’d need to go back soon. Would he still have the free time to meet with her? And what about when she left the Tuscan Cosmo Apartments? Would they see each other then?
Alarmed at the prospect of losing him, she knocked and let herself inside when he yelled for her to come in.
She wasn’t prepared for the sight of him without a shirt on.
He smiled, holding a shirt in hand. “Hey, Justine. How was today? Good, I hope.” He tugged the shirt over his head, and it took her a moment to gather her thoughts.
Xavier had a broad chest sculpted with muscle. He didn’t have so much chest hair that he looked like a rug, but he had enough to look just her type—manly but not furry. Muscular butnot pro weight-lifter muscular. And that smile... His eyes shone like bright pennies, and right at her.
“I, ah, today was okay. Not great, but I met an old friend after work. It was good seeing her.” She meant that. She’d liked Kenzie back in college, and it made her feel good to know that Kenzie was seeing real success, especially in their shared field.
“Nice. Nothing better than seeing old friends. Unless you hated them. Then that’s not great unless they’ve gotten ugly and divorced seventeen times.”
“Ha. Yeah. But no, Kenzie’s super great. She’s married, pregnant, and running a successful business.”Everything I want,she realized. To include the pregnant part. “I’m already twenty-nine.”
“What’s that?”
