Chapter 10
Justine had finished another crapfest of a day.
Once again covering for Frank because he hadn’t gotten his work done on time and had something “important” to do tonight with his wife and kids.
So sure, Justine would stick around and cover his ass, finishing up that spreadsheet for the PowerPoint presentation tomorrow.
She was mightily sick of doing work she wasn’t paid for, but Frank kept saying how great her team player attitude would look at her next yearly evaluation—in two weeks.
That was if she could make it that long.
For the past year, she’d been unhappy in her job.
She wanted the freedom to express her artistic background, serving the company’s client more than her frustrating, lackluster boss.
And what really bothered her—his condescending attitude.
She kept catching echoes of her father and ex in Frank’s approach.
After grabbing a chai latte, she joined Xavier and the pretty woman sitting with him.
Ignoring her odd peevishness at the woman’s presence, Justine concentrated on being pleasant and not irked at the woman’s challenging gaze.
Was this Xavier’s new girlfriend? Because the woman seemed threatened by Justine’s presence.
Yet... As Justine looked from Xavier to the pretty redhead, she noticed a lot of similarities.
“Justine, meet my sister, Auggie. Auggie, this is my new neighbor, Justine.”
She ignored her sense of relief and smiled wider. “Auggie. It’s so nice to meet you.”
Xavier’s sister nodded. “So you’re Rosie’s niece?”
“Yep.”
“How long are you staying at the apartment complex?”
Justine shrugged. “At least the next three months. My aunt is taking a vacation in Italy and doing some sightseeing in Europe. I’m using the time to regroup.”
“From what?”
Xavier cut in. “Don’t be so nosy, Auggie.”
“Why not?”
Justine did her best not to laugh. The twins frowning at each other made them look that much more alike.
“I can ask her questions.” Auggie turned to Justine. “I can ask you questions, can’t I?”
“Sure, I guess.” She could now see that Xavier had been right about his sister being a little more aggressive, whereas he came across as charming. “I’m pretty much an open book.”
“Do you like living at the building? I think it’s a little claustrophobic.”
“I don’t,” Xavier said. “I like knowing my neighbors.”
Justine relaxed into her seat, pleased to be done with her work day. “Everyone seems really nice. Well, except for the Super. He’s a little intimidating.”
Auggie grinned. “Nothing like a former Marine to keep the starch in his shorts. Top’s not a bad guy. Say something nice about the Corps and you’re in.”
Xavier frowned. “Um, not necessarily. I was in the Marines, same as you, and he still gives me a hassle.”
Justine blinked. “You were in the service?”
Before Xavier could answer, Auggie did. “Not just any service, but the best of them all. We’re prior Marine Corps.”
“You were too?” Justine asked Auggie, not surprised. Auggie looked fit and trim. Her take-charge attitude only bolstered the notion that the woman had lived a regimented lifestyle. “How long did you guys serve?”
“Xav served for four years. I did five. We got out, then we went to school. Xav for mind games and me for exercise science.” Auggie looked her over. “You ever think about getting into fitness? Maybe a bootcamp?”
Xavier sighed. “Leave her alone. And they weren’t mind games. I majored in psychology.”
“Yeah, like I said, mind games. And what’s your problem with a mini-bootcamp? I’m just saying. She could use a little more definition.” Auggie turned to Justine. “Guys always think they have the corner on getting buff. But women can too. Strengthening your core helps everything.”
“Oh, uh, good point.” Justine wondered if she looked as scrawny as she felt next to Xavier and his sister.
“I like jogging when I get free time.” Actually, she didn’t, but she ran because she liked sweets a little too much.
“And I was thinking about trying a new yoga class that opened near the coffee shop down the street from us.”
“Yoga’s good.” Auggie nodded. “But so are cardio, lifting, and strength training.”
“So wonderful to have your thoughts on Justine’s fitness routine,” Xavier said with no small amount of sarcasm.
He shook his head. “Ignore her, Justine. When you get home after a long day, the fountain in the complex is terrific for destressing. And you don’t even have to sweat if you don’t want to. ”
“Hey, sweat is good for the skin,” Auggie argued. “Opens your pores.”
“I like the indoor courtyard, actually,” Justine cut in before their identical frowns turned into an argument. “The flowers, the sound of the water falling. I was surprised at how peaceful it is...even though there’s an occasional teenager hanging around.” Justine chuckled. “I like Sam though.”
Xavier grinned. “You should see him with his brother, who’s a few years older. They’re really nice kids, though they run rings around Adam.”
“The poor guy. But good for him for helping his nephews.”
“Yeah. His sister is in and out of rehab, so he finally stepped in to give them a more stable homelife. Rosie filled me in a while ago when I was new. Gave me the lowdown on everyone in the building.”
“Really? What else should I know?”
“Well, I gave you the basics already. What Auggie said about Top is pretty smart. Honestly, though, he’s not that bad. No one at the complex is. Frankly, I’m surprised at how long Benji talked to you yesterday. He’s not a people person.”
“Benji talked to her?” Auggie looked as if she didn’t know what to make of that.
Xavier nodded. “They were connecting over a video game.”
“Oh.” Auggie tilted her head and studied Justine. “You’re into video games?”
Justine felt like a speck of dirt under that intense, probing look. “No. Well, yes, I like them, but I don’t have that much time to play. And I’m not very good.”
“Huh.”
She didn’t know what to make of Auggie’s answer.
Xavier asked, “So Justine, did you talk to your mom yet?”
“I finally caved and answered her texts. I told her I was really busy at work lately and that I’d call her later in the week.
” She groaned. “But I have no idea what to say.” She needed a solid plan of defense in case her mom nagged her into committing to bringing a date to the wedding.
Or worse, about going out with Cal or Nick.
Xavier looked sympathetic. “It’s tough to make family happy. Auggie and I were just talking about Mom’s date last night.”
“Oh, how did it go?” She’d wondered about that a few times during her day. Thinking about Xavier and his family troubles took her mind off her own. How would a laid-back therapist handle family drama?
He sighed. “I think Mom’s a one-and-done with this guy.” He explained about Big Henry’s bad kissing, which had her laughing.
“Oh my gosh. A bad kisser is terrible.” She looked to Auggie. “Am I right? If they can’t kiss well, that’s a bad sign that a relationship probably won’t amount to much.”
Auggie nodded, reluctantly, so it seemed to Justine. “Yeah. That’s the truth. I typically try my guys out before dating them. No kiss, not even a little tease with second base, and I’m out.”
Xavier slapped a hand over his face. “Stop. Talking.”
“Oh, you’re okay with second base? I need a little more time than one date for that,” Justine confessed, trying to ignore the fact Xavier was a sexy guy, doing her best to factor him in as a friend with whom she could tease and laugh.
“Both of you. Stop.” He sounded in pain.
She caught Auggie grinning, looking from her to her brother. “No, tell us, Bro. From the dude’s point of view, what’s in a kiss? Or a first date?”
Xavier peeked through his fingers before putting his hand down. “This is torture, you know that?”
“Come on, Xavier. Don’t be such a baby,” Justine added.
He glared at her.
She grinned back.
Auggie laughed. “He always was the weakest in the family.”
“Fine. Yes, a kiss means a lot when you’re first dating. Trust me, women can be just as bad. Too much lip or tongue. Then all the groaning and rubbing all over a guy. It’s not always sexy, let me tell you.”
Auggie chuckled. “From the horse’s mouth, Justine. You should take notes.”
“Oh, I am.” She leaned forward and cupped her chin in her palm, her elbow on the table. Manners be damned. “Do continue.”
Xavier blushed, and she found the sight of his embarrassment too cute. “Look, I’m not saying a woman who goes for it isn’t sexy. But she has to be a little subtle.” He gave his sister the side-eye. “Not like a 5-Ton ramming at full speed.”
Justine noted Auggie’s glare and smothered a laugh.
“Subtle is sexy,” Xavier continued. “But a good kiss shares feelings and intent.”
“Oh my God, Xav. Sometimes sex is just sex. You can get down with a body and not care one fuck about feelings.”
“Nice mouth.”
“Yeah? Well, I know how to get what I want without all the babble that goes constantly through your mind.”
“Please. You’d need to have a few thoughts to share before macking it with any beef-bod in sight.”
Justine worried the two might get into a serious argument, their tones more aggressive. But Auggie burst into laughter.
“‘Beef-bod?’ What the hell is that?”
He gave a sheepish grin. “I don’t know. It just popped out.” He said to Justine, “See, this is how we communicate. Auggie drives me nuts, then I spout nonsense. It’s sad.”
“It’s actually pretty funny.” Justine snickered.
“My sisters aren’t that great at arguing.
Angela steamrolls over you while Mallory cajoles like a whipped puppy.
I end up sitting there until one of them shuts up.
Then I act like I missed everything and ask them to repeat it.
Never fails to annoy the heck out of them. ”
“Hmm. Not a bad strategy,” Auggie said. “You’re not as dumb as you look.”
“Thanks so much for that,” Justine deadpanned, which had Auggie laughing.
Then Xavier cut in with his idea of a good date, information he planned on imparting to his candidate for his mother’s next outing.
Justine liked his take and added her two cents, not realizing how interesting she’d become to his sister.
Auggie watched her brother and Justine interact, sensing a lot more bubbling under the surface than just friendly banter.
Xavier’s gaze seemed glued to the pretty brunette. And though Justine tried to include Auggie in on the conversation, which was a decent thing to do, the woman had a tendency to study Xavier with more interest than she was probably aware of.
Just a neighbor? Please. Xavier had I Want This One plastered all over his face. That he acted super casual and not at all interested said volumes to Auggie. She’d have to keep an eye on Justine.
“I know, right? Who goes to a movie on a first date?” Xavier was saying.
“You can’t talk during a movie. I think it’s a lot more fun to do something together. Like going to a museum or the arboretum. Maybe on date three or four you see a movie or a play. A concert even. But you need time and space to talk.”
“Exactly.” Xavier nodded, a sparkle in his eyes. “Communication,” he emphasized with a sharp look at Auggie, “improves the more you use it. Plus, you and your date are new, so you need to feel each other out.”
“What I was saying,” Auggie muttered.
“Verbally,” he stressed, “to see what you both like, what you have in common.”
“So when do you get to the favorite color, favorite number conversations?” Justine asked, nursing her coffee.
Auggie swore she heard the girl’s stomach rumble and felt for her. It had nearly reached eight in the evening, and if Justine had come from work without eating any dinner, she had to be hungry.
Xavier must have heard, because he paused. “Hey, you want something to eat?”
Justine flushed. “I’ll get something later.”
“No, really. I could eat too. They have great panini sandwiches. It’s on me.”
“I couldn’t.”
“I insist.” He shot Justine his killer smile, that one that always knocked them dead from ten paces.
“Well, okay. But I’ll buy the dessert.”
“Something sweet. Sweet.” Xavier chuckled. They both stood, and he waited for Justine to precede him, ever the gentleman.
The pretty blush on Justine’s cheeks, the way they kept smiling at each other, then glancing away, keeping it casual, was telling.
Auggie said nothing, however, and made a mental note to discuss this with her mom. Because though she had a twin bond with Xav, would always remain loyal to him, there was such a thing as looking out for her brother. And their mother had mad instincts when it came to her boy.
No one could ever be good enough.
Yet Auggie kind of liked Justine, what she knew of her, anyway.
Might be interesting to see where this went with the new girl and her too-chill brother.
She sent a text to her mom and smiled when the pair came back with something for her as well.
“We didn’t know what you wanted, so we brought back three of each,” Justine said with a smile, spreading the food around.
Xavier shot Auggie a warning glance to be nice, so she nodded her thanks. “Appreciate it. I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.” Though the amount of bad carbs in this dinner didn’t bode well for Justine’s food and nutrition awareness.
“Don’t even,” Xavier warned in a low voice, reading her mind.
“What?” Justine watched them.
“Never mind,” they said at the same time.
Justine stared in astonishment. “Do you guys do that a lot?”
“Not really,” they both said again.
Auggie chuckled.
Xavier frowned at her and said, “Well, hardly ever. Now, let me tell you about my guy choice for my mom. Auggie, no comments from the peanut gallery.”
She rolled her eyes but said little, swapping sandwiches with her brother. As twins, she and her brother were very much in tune. People always seemed to have something to say about it. But Justine seemed to absorb that detail and accept it, hanging on Xavier’s every word.
Auggie made another mental note and decided a visit to Mom’s was in order. She smiled widely at her brother when he frowned at her all of the sudden.
“Problem?” Justine asked.
“Nope,” she said for him. “I’m just glad to see my brother’s got a new friend.” Oh yeah, you know we’re going to talk about Justine later.
She laughed to herself when he kicked her under the table. She kicked him back and thought about how she couldn’t wait to tell her mom all the good parts.