Chapter 26
Sunday night, Xavier did his best not to laugh at Justine’s nerves. Just as she’d been at her own parents, she turned on the anxiety while waiting outside the door to his mother’s home.
“I swear. She’ll love you. Now, remember how much you like me, my lovely girlfriend.”
She blushed. “Not love?”
“Well, not yet. That kind of feeling takes time.”
He felt all kinds of weird about the L word with Justine. Mostly because he was scared he felt that raw, untamable emotion for her despite doing his best not to feel anything but mutual admiration and a healthy dose of like.
But hell, after their weekend of marathon sex and spending time together, he couldn’t help himself. He’d done his best to leave her alone yesterday but had caved by eight last night and asked her over to watch a movie.
Except they spent their time on the couch doing anything but watching the TV for entertainment. Several orgasms later, she slept in his arms, and he didn’t have the strength to wake her to see if she’d rather go home. Instead, he’d carried her into his bedroom and curled up next to her.
He’d never slept so well. As if he’d finally found home.
Which freaked him the hell out. As a therapist, he knew he should delve deeper to find out why he’d panicked. But the cowardly side of him wanted to enjoy his time with Justine without thinking too hard about it.
And now, standing in front of the home he’d grown up in, he was about to introduce his fake girlfriend to his mother, when everything about his relationship with Justine felt more real than anything he’d ever had.
“Ha. Now who’s looking stressed?” She was even cute when smug.
He leaned down to kiss her, and of course his mother opened the door just as their mouths met.
“Ah ha. The mysterious Justine is in fact real.” Cynthia sounded way too pleased with herself. “I knew it.”
Xavier hastily tore his mouth from Justine’s but kept his arm around her shoulders. “Hey, Mom. Meet Justine. Justine, my estimable mother, Cynthia Hanover.”
Cynthia pulled Justine in for a hug. “I’m so happy to meet you.”
Justine was flushed when she pulled back, but her shy smile told him she liked the embrace. “So nice to meet you too.”
She let Cynthia tug her inside. Xavier followed and shut the door behind them. “Are we waiting on Auggie, Mom? I don’t see her car.”
“Oh, your sister is busy. It’s just the three of us tonight.”
“Is that so?” What was his sister up to? He had a tough time believing she wouldn’t have wanted to interrogate Justine at a family dinner. For that matter, his sister had been surprisingly quiet lately. He’d chalked that up to her ramped up training, but now he wasn’t sure…
His mom started pestering Justine about all sorts of details, taking her attention. But Cynthia did it in such a nice way Justine immediately seemed at ease. She helped his mom prepare the salad while Xavier had been tasked with firing up the grill.
He compared dinner with Justine’s parents to dinner with his mom and noticed the difference in his date. Here, she laughed and was at ease. She answered honestly, well, with the exception of their fake dating.
Unfortunately, his mother was all over that. “So, you’re Rosie Gallo’s niece. Xavier’s a big fan of your aunt. I only met her once, but she made an impression.”
Justine laughed. “That sounds like Aunt Rosie. She has definite opinions about everything and lives her life the way she wants it.”
“I respect that.” Cynthia slanted a glance at Xavier. “That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“My mother is on the dating circuit,” Xavier reiterated for everyone’s benefit. “But it’s slow going. She hasn’t had much luck with the guys my sister and I have chosen for her.”
“Wow. I’ve never met an actual matchmaker.”
His mother snorted. “He’s a bad one. Between the men he and my daughter have mentioned, I might be single for the rest of my life.”
Xavier might actually be okay with that and immediately felt ashamed for thinking it. “Mom.”
Justine laughed.
“I’m just glad to see my boy with a girl I like for once.” Cynthia looked pleased. “Even Auggie likes you.”
“She does?” Justine asked.
“From what I could tell, yes.”
Xavier immediately turned the conversation to his sister, and Justine chimed in with various stories about her siblings.
All in all, the dinner went very well.
Until his mother asked a few questions about Max Dixon.
“Why do you want to know about him?” Xavier narrowed his gaze.
“You seemed friendly enough yesterday when you two were chatting.” He didn’t know why it should bother him that his mother had hit it off with Top, especially with he and Auggie trying to get her to date.
Yet something about Top felt wrong to him.
“Wait, Max? As in, Top, our Super?” Justine asked, looking as poleaxed as he felt.
“Yes. He’s really a sweetheart.”
“Um, okay.” Apparently aware her response seemed half-hearted, Justine rallied.
“He was a great part of our water fight. Last week, I got revenge on our teenage neighbors by water-balloon bombing them back. Then everyone got in on it.” Justine paused in thought.
“You know, for an older guy, Top’s not bad looking. He’s in pretty great shape, actually.”
Xavier didn’t appreciate that she’d noticed Top’s assets. Oh my God. I’m jealous of Top?
“Older guy, ha.” Cynthia grinned. “I’ll have to tell him that.”
Flummoxed, he went on the offensive. “Tell Top that? Why would you tell him Justine thinks he’s hot?”
Justine flushed. “I didn’t say hot. I said he was fit. And yeah, he’s good-looking in a tough guy kind of way.”
Cynthia nodded and said to Xavier, “You might as well know he and I met yesterday for a movie. Then we shared dinner. He’s a great conversationalist.”
“Mom.” The other men he’d had in mind for his mom had been nice. Safe. Maybe even a little boring. Top would be anything but.
“I think it’s sweet.” Justine smiled. “Xavier, just think. Your mom may have met her prince charming, and all because of you.”
He felt a little ill. “Prince Charming? More like Beauty and the Beast.”
Cynthia scowled at him, though he could see the twinkle of amusement in her gaze. “Xavier, honestly.”
“But which one is the beast, that’s the question,” he said, causing his mother and Justine to laugh.
“You know I’m kidding, Mom.” Come on, sound like you mean it.
He cleared his throat. “I like Top. Max. But if he treats you wrong, I’ll break his kneecaps.
” He could never forget how much she’d cried after his father had died.
Heart wrenching sobs that had made his own grief even worse.
Justine sighed and batted her lashes at him. “My hero. A guy who takes care of his mom.”
“Don’t encourage him, Justine. He’s a little bully.” Cynthia snorted. “I mean, I’d expect that kind of talk from Auggie, but not my sensitive son.” She looked him over. “As if you could take Max down. That man looks pretty solid to me.”
“Me too,” Justine said in a loud whisper, glanced at Xavier, then tried to hide her laughter. “But not as handsome or in shape as my man.”
Xavier shouldn’t have flushed at hearing her call him that. But that easily, she flattered and pleased him with little effort. And if he happened to start buying into the fiction of his and Justine’s relationship, it was just two friends having some fun.
Right?
Monday afternoon, Justine received a text from her friend, Kenzie, about some contract work if she was interested. After spending most of her day learning about the scope of her new duties at work—talk about a headache—she replied right away.
Sign me up!
Kenzie sent back a laughing emoji and gave her the details for the job.
Justine worked two hours overtime, for which she wouldn’t be paid, just trying to catch up on all the work of her own she’d missed while learning her new duties. And no, according to Frank, Justine would not be getting any help. She needed to learn to manage it all herself.
Hurray.
She returned home, exhausted, only to see a bouquet of flowers left at her door. The note with them read, I know today must have sucked. Was thinking of you. XO. Your Man.
She grinned from ear to ear as she brought the lovely arrangement inside. After fixing a dinner and relaxing, she texted Xavier a big thanks. She debated on whether or not to add a big heart then said to heck with it and sent it.
He hadn’t communicated at all except for an early message to have a nice day. She appreciated him giving her space, but her thoughts still crept to him and what he might be doing while she worked.
She felt warm and fuzzy, staring from the TV to her flowers. She moved them to her bedroom and set them on her dresser.
And fell asleep staring at the fragrant blooms.
The next two days followed a similar pattern, until she was frothing with rage by the end of Wednesday.
Katie met her three hours after she should have gone home, and Justine vented over beer and brats at the local German pub while Katie nodded and listened, adding an occasional “Frank’s such an ass” where needed.
When Justine finally wound down, she noticed Katie studying her. “What?”
“You haven’t mentioned Xavier at all, so I’m waiting to hear you roast him too.”
“Xavier? No, he’s awesome. Supportive yet distant enough he’s not overbearing.”
Katie frowned. “There has got to be something wrong with this guy. No one is this perfect. Let’s face it—he’s got the hot part, the smart part, and the magic peen part down pat.” Of course Katie added the bit about the magic peen as two handsome mid-thirties guys passed.
They heard and laughed out loud, winking back at Katie.
She returned the wink before turning to Justine. “Well? What is rattling around in his closet, do you think?”
“He hasn’t been working lately, but he’s going back to therapy soon.”
“Being in therapy is a good thing though, right?” Katie asked.
“No. He’s not getting therapy. He gives it. I told you he’s an LMFT.”
“Oh, right.” Katie tapped her lip. “And we’re sure he’s not dating anyone while being your personal massage toy?”
Justine felt her cheeks heat up again, but this time she laughed. “You’re such an ass.”
Katie stuck out her tongue. “You know you love me. Besides, you’re too pent up. You need a breather. The beer with me is great, but maybe some magic Xavier time would help.”
“Yeah, maybe.” And that, right there, was her other problem. “Katie, I…”
She meant to admit how much Xavier was coming to mean to her when Dr. Mitchell Ascot, her annoying ex, walked into the pub with a gorgeous brunette on his arm. Justine intended to pretend she hadn’t seen him and hoped he’d do the same.
Unfortunately, he saw her and redirected his course, his gorgeous date in tow. As he approached, his smile widened.
Katie gave a soft groan. “Man, with you, when it rains, it pours. Is Dr. Dickhead coming closer?”
“Yep.” And now my day is complete.