She found herself grinning as she cussed at him. Her shower felt good, and awake, she had no problem sharing the hot water with her sweaty guy. “So you used the hotel gym? Was it nice?”
He lathered up, oblivious to her intent gaze. “It was great. They have updated equipment even my sister would approve of.”
“Nice. How is Auggie by the way?”
“Great, I’m sure. She’s got a new mystery guy she’s trying to hide. But breakfast the other day was more or less the same.” He sighed when Justine kissed her way up his clean abdomen and nibbled on his upper chest. He cupped her cheek and stopped her cold when he said, “Auggie wants to spend more time with you, I think.”
She froze. “What? Why?”
“No, no. Keep going.”
She smiled around his nipple but got distracted while he showed her what “getting wet” really meant in the shower with Xavier. Goodness, but she had a tough time keeping her hands off him.
Once dressed and ready to leave the room, she asked again, “What’s this about Auggie?”
“Auggie thinks she likes you—which never happens—so she wants to get to know you.”
Justine fiddled with the belt of her cute sundress. “Your twin wants to get to know me? Your fake girlfriend? Hanging out with the guy’s family is something a real girlfriend would do, right? But we’re not?” ended in a question.
Could he read the hope on her face, that want for something more?
“Hell. I’m sorry. I’m pushy when you want to keep things normal.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I always do this. I?—”
“I want more,” she blurted.
“What?”
“This, us. It’s amazing, and maybe it’s all because we know it’s fake so we’re not stressed about a relationship. Or it’s just that we’re amazing in bed together. Or that you made Katie laugh and I entertained your sister. My folks like you. Your mom likes me. It’s like everything is pushing us together but us. And I feel guilty because I’m really into you and you were only doing me a favor to begin with, so how can I have the audacity to rope you into more Justine-shenanigans?” She had to pause to catch her breath.
Xavier just stared. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say so much at once.” His smile was blinding. “Justine, I really like you too. I think we need to end this fake relationship and start a new, real one.” His smile grew even wider, but to Justine, it looked wrong. Brittle.
“I’m sorry, Xavier.” Now she felt terrible when after her shower she’d felt on top of the world.
“For what? For wanting to be with me?” He pulled her in for a warm hug. “Honey, I’m so into you it’s not funny. I guess I’m just scared I’ll screw us up, like I screw up all my relationships.”
“I understand. Trust me.” She pulled back to see him looking at her as if he truly cared about her. As more than a friend. Perhaps she hadn’t been wrong to blurt out what she felt. Or maybe she had her hormones to blame. Xavier haddestroyed herlast night and this morning, in total control of her body and mind. “I just don’t want to stress you with whatIwant. It has to be something we both want.”
“So much,” he agreed. “So much want for you, I have.” He paused. “And I have no idea why that came out that way. I sound like a bad Yoda.”
“Love for you, I have, young Skywalker,” she teased, then realized what she’d said and felt lightheaded with embarrassment. “Oh man. You know what I mean. Not love. I mean, like. I like you a ton. A lot. So much. Yes.”Could I babble any more?
In a bad Yoda imitation, he said, “Understand you, I do.” Then he started humming “Here Comes the Bride,” which had her blushing harder while laughing.
They found her family in the dining room, the pair of them still laughing and walking arm in arm.
Finally, a real couple. A woman in love, a man in like and in lust.
And for now, Justine could deal with that.
DEAR AUNT TRUTH
Dear Aunt Truth:I think I love him, but I don’t know what he feels for me. What should I do? I don’t want to ruin our friendship.
Dear Frady Cat:If you love him, tell him. Love doesn’t ruin friendships; it defines them. As the love doctor would say, “What’s the point in having a heart—and a brain—if you don’t use them now and then?”
CHAPTER 32
“So let me recap your weekend,” Katie said over lunch Monday afternoon. “Mikayla tried to bitch up and protect her man, but you wouldn’t let her act all high and mighty by being super nice. Then she caught you sucking face with Xavier, which nailed how much youdon’twant Mitch back.”
