“Merde.” A familiar voice jerks us apart.
Heat swallows my cheeks. Down the short corridor, Saar and Celeste stand in front of my unit.
“Fuck, and we thought you were unconscious on the floor.” Saar folds her arms across her chest, smirking.
“That’s yesterday’s news, ladies.” Xander saunters to the door, pulling my key from his slacks.
“I don’t have pockets in my shorts,” I say, like explaining Xander doesn’t own the keys to my place is the most pressing issue here.
Saar snorts. “We thought you were sick.”
“What is he doing here?” Celeste asks, as ifhewasn’t standing beside her.
“Wasn’t that obvious?” Saar’s lips twitch.
“Still warrants an explanation.” Celeste doesn’t even try to hide her grin.
I look at Xander for guidance, but he is as cool as a cucumber, leaning against the now unlocked door.
I groan and push past him, letting everyone in. “Saar, Celeste, meet Xander, my fiancé. Xander, these are hopefully still my best friends. But you know each other already anyway.”
With my glare, I try to communicate the rest, or rather ask them to leave.
“Merde.” Celeste leans against the chest of drawers beside my entrance.
“What do you mean, fiancé?” Saar’s eyes dart between me and Xander.
To his credit, he stays close but doesn’t crowd me. He gives me his silent support without running his smart mouth.
He’s letting me decide how I want to handle this with my friends. Why does he always know…? Fuck… I really need to write a list of his flaws and read it daily as a reminder.
“Xander needs my help, and I need his, so we are fake-engaged at the moment.” I know that my succinct non-explanation is not going to get them to leave. But it’s not like I can tell them to fuck off because I want to have a lot of really, really, really hot sex right now.
I can’t ask them to leave after they showed up because they were worried about me.
“What help do you need?” Saar turns to Xander, more accusing than inquiring.
He gives her that handsome grin and hikes his shoulder. “Hand job, blow job…”
Saar covers her ears, and Celeste snorts.
“Xander!” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
Of course he would joke. That’s his personal brand. And while he showed me there is more behind that veneer, I can’t expect him to change his personality for the benefit of my friends. Iwouldn’t want him to.
“Thank you for checking on me. I’m feeling much better. I’ll fill you in later.” I walk to the door.
“Will there be a big fake wedding?” Celeste asks, but at least she angles herself toward the door, like she got my not-so-subtle attempt at ushering them out.
I look at Xander. Fuck, there is a lot we need to discuss.
“There won’t be a wedding. We will donate to a few organizations in lieu of a big party,” Xander answers, and fuck, I like that solution.
“Okay, I guess you don’t need us at the moment.” Celeste gives me a hug. “You good?” she whispers in my ear.
I nod and grin, and she winks at me.
“I get that you’re fake getting married, but what are you in real life now?” Saar hugs me.
