He nodded.
She watched him settle back down and added the weight to his bar. Lost in the rhythm of his workout and what Xavier’s new connection with Justine meant, it took a minute to realize he’d finished and was sitting up, staring at her. “What’s wrong?”
He swallowed, his expression hidden behind a lot of a hair over his eyes. “You’re pretty defined. Nice arms.”
She looked down at herself. “Oh, yeah. Got a summer competition coming up.” Not nearly as important as this newsabout Xavier. “So my brother. You’re sure he was coming down from Justine’s?”
“Since Kai’s in Italy with Rosie, yeah. Unless he’s getting it on with Top or Adam, I’d say he was coming from Justine’s place.”
“Oh my gosh. Was that sarcasm I heard, Wolf Man?”
“Wolf Man?” He frowned. “Oh, a crack about my beard, right?”
“Beard, hair, all of it. You’re almost furry. Get a haircut, why don’t you.”
He shrugged. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
“But don’t you get all sweaty under that mop?”
He wiped his face again with a towel. “You get sweaty, but I’m not complaining.” He gave her tank top an appreciative look.
Shocked, Auggie stared. “Are you on drugs?”
“What? No.” He flushed and stood.
Auggie had to look up to make eye contact. “I’m teasing. It’s nice to see that you have a sense of humor up there.”
“Ha ha. First I’m hairy, then sweaty. Now I’m too tall?”
She was teasing, but he didn’t seem to understand that. “I’m just messing with you, Benji. Geez.” She turned to walk away, but his large hand on her shoulder stopped her.
He squeezed. “I’m messing with you right back, Auggie. Geez,” he said in a higher voice, poking fun at her.
She turned back and grinned. She caught his return smile and felt something inside her shift. Seeing Benji in a whole new light as a fellow gym enthusiast passed by and gave him a onceover startled her, and she coughed to cover her confusion.
“You know, you owe me.”
“I do?” He crossed his arms over his broad chest.
Huh. Benji has muscles and a broad chest. How have I never seen this before?
“Yeah, you owe me. I helped you with that video game demo. You’re slacking on the intel, buddy.”
Benji frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“You haven’t given me much on Justine. The pretty lady my brother’s boning.”
He flushed, as she’d known he would. Man, he was cute when he was flustered. How about that? “How would I know about her? I’ve talked to her maybe twice.”
“And? What do you think? Is she pretty? Nice? Smart?”
He flushed even redder. “She’s okay, I guess.”
“You guess?” She tightened her ponytail.
“She’s not prettier than you.”
“Aw, Benji. Just for that, I’m not going to make you do burpees. Goblin squats instead.”
