Chapter 27
Justine met Mitch’s smile with a bright one of her own. “Hey, Mitch. How are you?”
“Great, thanks.” His enthusiasm died a little when he looked across the table. “And Katie. Hi.”
“Hey, there, Dr. Feet.”
He frowned.
Justine did her best not to giggle. The beer—make that beers—seemed to be going to her head.
“Dr. Feet?” His date asked. “Oh, because he’s a podiatrist? Funny.” She smirked at Katie and gripped Mitch’s arm with more than little possession.
“Don’t mind Katie.” Justine forced herself to remain pleasant, aware Mitch seemed eager to stand around and rub his date in her face. “I’m Justine.”
“Mikayla. It’s nice to meet you. Mitch, I’ll go grab us a table.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and walked away. More like flounced away with an ass that could bounce quarters, but whatever. Mitch liked his women fit, as she recalled.
“What are you up to?” Mitch asked.
She saw Katie texting like a fiend and realized she’d get no help there.
Instead, Justine did her best to act as if seeing Mitch wasn’t beyond irritating after the day she’d had.
Not that she harbored him any ill feeling, but he’d always acted as if his needs were more important than her own.
Kind of like standing around, using all her oxygen when she was busy bitching to Katie and reveling in friend-time.
“Not much, actually. I’m still working for Mayze Creative and enjoying my aunt’s place. It’s terrific and right near downtown Fremont.”
“Nice.” He paused. “Seeing anyone?”
“How is that your business?” Katie asked without looking up from the phone or stopping her fingers from flying.
He sneered. “Was I talking to you?”
“She’s seeing someone else, yeah. Someone who values her opinions and doesn’t treat her like she’s beneath him.” Katie gave him a wide smile. “Now why don’t you skedaddle back to your date before her boobs deflate.”
“They’re real,” he denied then flushed. “And that’s a real nice way to talk about another woman.”
Personally, Justine didn’t care. “Mitch, it’s been a long day. I’m glad you found someone to date. She looks lovely.” Though those boobs do look a little too perfect, came the catty thought, causing her to grin.
“What the hell is so funny?” he asked, looking livid.
Your stupid face. No, not what she should say, no matter how much she wanted to. She wondered how Xavier would calmly and maturely handle the situation. “Look, I’ve had a bad day and a little too much to drink. I’m sorry if Katie offended you.”
“I’m not,” Katie muttered.
“Please accept our apologies and enjoy your evening. Mikayla seems really nice.”
“She is.” He seemed like he had more to say, then shook his head. “I just wanted to say hello.” He ignored Katie. “And to let you know I’ll be at the wedding this weekend. Mikayla is friends with Ted through his sister. I’ll be her plus one.”
Katie looked up.
Justine blinked. “Huh?”
“It’s lucky we ran into you tonight. It doesn’t sound like your sister told you I’ll be there.” He paused. “I don’t have to go, if that would be easier.” Mitch seemed to be sincere about not wanting to make her feel bad. Despite being a little selfish, he was a nice guy.
“Thanks, Mitch.” She gave him what she hoped was a sincere smile. “That’s not a problem. I hope you enjoy the wedding. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.”
He didn’t seem to know what to make of her response. Honestly, she didn’t either. She felt like she was channeling Xavier, acting all mature.
After a moment, Mitch gave a hesitant nod. “Sounds good. See you.” Still ignoring Katie, he turned and left to join his date several tables away, his back to their booth.
“What an ass.” Katie ordered another round of beers. “I never liked that guy.”
Justine snickered. “Dr. Feet.”
They burst into laughter, and Justine felt much better as the night progressed.
To her surprise, the next time a handsome man stood at the side of their table, it wasn’t their server but Xavier looking sexy as usual.
He looked them over, focusing on Justine. “Well, well, what do we have here?”
“Hey, man. Take a seat.” Katie scooted over and patted the spot next to her. “Sit by me so you can moon properly over your cutie.”
He snorted. “How many have beers have you had, Katie?” He shook his head at Justine. “And you. I’m surprised. It’s a work night.”
“Screw work.” She drank some more. “I hate Frank.”
“And Mitch,” Katie added, toasting bottles.
“I’ll drink to that.” Xavier grabbed a glass of water neither of them had claimed.
It took Justine a moment to process. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Katie texted. Said my girlfriend needed me. So here I am.”
“Wait. Girlfriend?” She turned to Katie, who didn’t look nearly as innocent as she pretended to be, even after several beers. Justine asked in a hushed voice, “Uh-oh. I told you about the fake boyfriend thing, didn’t I?”
“You did,” Katie whispered loudly back. Then she laughed. “I texted him and here he is. A superhero with a big package.”
Xavier blinked. “What?”
She pointed to the hat he’d set down next to him. “Did I say a big package? I meant hat.”
He flushed, and Justine thought him just the cutest. He smiled. “The cutest, huh?”
“Crap. I said that out loud.” She had a bad habit of saying whatever popped into her mind aloud when drunk. That would not be good with Xavier. He couldn’t possibly know how much she liked him or was attracted to him. “Don’t want to scare you off.”
He looked smug. “No chance of that.” He glanced around and whispered to Katie.
She nodded in the direction Mitch had gone.
“Ah. The dark-haired guy with the pretty date in red?”
“That’s Dr. Douche.”
Justine sighed. “Katie, if you had a jar for every time you swore, you’d have a lot of nickels.”
Katie and Xavier just looked at her.
“What?”
Xavier shook his head. “I think you two need to lay off the beer and start downing water. Tomorrow probably won’t look so sunny at work. Oh, and I’m driving you both home unless you want to call for a ride.”
Katie pouted. “You’re not nearly as fun as you were when we watched Spartacus.”
“True.” Justine agreed.
“Well, someone has to take one for the team.” He looked up when Mitch and Mikayla stopped by their table. “Can we help you?”
Wow. Xavier sounded so polite.
Mitch frowned. “Who are you?”
“Her boyfriend,” Katie said before Justine could answer. “And he’s got a big package. I mean, hat.” Katie gave an exaggerated wink.
Justine slapped a hand over her face, but not before she saw Xavier’s shit-eating grin.
“I’m Mitch. Justine’s ex-boyfriend.” Mitch stared down at Xavier.
Xavier, always the mature, sensible guy, remained seated and courteous. “Ah, the doctor ex-boyfriend. Nice to meet you. I’m Xavier, Justine’s current boyfriend.”
Justine drank water, trying to sober up before she admitted to Mitch that Xavier was just pretending…and that her brief, fake boyfriend was better than Mitch had ever been.
“This is Mikayla, my girlfriend,” Mitch introduced while looking at Justine.
She watched the woman, not pleased to see Mikayla’s subtle interest in Xavier.
Xavier nodded. “Nice to meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about you, Mitch.” He said nothing more, just smiled.
Everyone stared at one another in silence before Mikayla prodded Mitch to break eye contact with Xavier. What Mitch thought he was doing with all the male posturing was anyone’s guess, but Xavier didn’t look impressed.
“See you at the wedding,” Mitch tossed out before leaving with Mikayla on his arm.
After they left, Xavier turned to Katie and said, “And that’s how you Mitch-slap Dr. Douche without saying a word.”
Katie laughed so hard she cried, which had Justine snorting and laughing as well.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t laughing an hour later as Xavier carried her into TCA’s elevator and they rode up to her floor. “Oh man. I feel dizzy.”
“What happened to you two? Katie texted that Mitch had arrived with some woman on his arm and that you needed backup. So I came.”
She sighed into his chest and snuggled closer. “Thanks.”
He chuckled, and she heard the vibration through his body. “You’re slurring, sweetheart.”
“Aw, I like when you call me all the mushy names.”
“You’re going to regret this in the morning, aren’t you?”
“Am I late for work already?”
“Huh? It’s just a little past eleven, but I doubt you drink so heavily when you need to be at work the next day. When do you get up? Six? Seven?”
“Six-thirty. Do you ever work? How can you take so much time off? Are you a secret billionaire?” She yawned. “It doesn’t matter. You’re too pretty to work. You just need to find a sugar-momma to keep you.”
“Oh? Know any?”
“Well, if I’m not fired for hating my job, I’ll do it. Although I’m kinda not rich.” She stroked his beard, loving the soft texture that could feel kind of scratchy in all the right places. “This feels so good between my legs.”
His grip tightened. “You really have the worst timing.”
“Come on, sexy. Let’s go to my place and Mitch-slap each other.” She giggled, snorted, and laughed so hard she nearly fell out of his arms.
“God, you’re cute even when you’re drunk. How much did you have to drink, anyway?”
“Four beers. But I didn’t eat much today.” She groaned and snuggled closer. “You always smell so good. Why can’t we fuck until we drop?”
He bobbled her in his arms but managed not to drop her as he gently set her down. “You’re killing me, you know that? No way I’m taking you to bed until you sober up.”
“What a Boy Scout.”
“Not quite. I’ll take a kiss.” He gave her soft peck on the lips.
When she would have extended the kiss, he pulled back. “No teasing. Keys?”
She grumbled and handed him her purse. A moment of sobriety returned. “I’m sorry Katie called you. We would have called for a ride, you know. We might be a little drunk but we’re not stupid.”
“I trust you. But no reason you had to deal with your ex alone. I mean, Katie’s great, but it’s always nicer to have a fake boyfriend to make your problems go away.”
He smiled, his eyes clear, his gaze soft. This close, she could make out the striations of amber and brown in his gorgeous eyes.
“I like you so much, Xavier.” She let him tug her into her home and followed as he prodded her toward the bedroom.
She lifted her arms when he told her to and let him take off her clothes, leaving her in a bra and panties and feeling like a toddler. But the look he gave her made her feel very grownup.
She grinned and cupped her breasts.
“I swear, I should be getting some big karmic boost for this.” He groaned and helped her out of her bra and into her favorite sleep tee. “Go on.” He nodded to the bathroom. “I’ll wait out here.”
She sat down on the toilet and relieved herself, forever it felt like.
A knock at the door revived her. “Justine? You okay in there?”
“Yep. Be right out.” Man, I almost fell asleep on the toilet with Xavier right outside! Talk about getting a little too familiar with the boytoy. She laughed out loud and hurried to finish. After she washed up, she rejoined him in her bedroom.
The bed looked ultra inviting. As did Xavier.
She slid under the covers and patted the spot next to her. “Just for a little?”
“Twist my arm.” He laid on top of the covers on his side, looking at her. “I like you a lot too, Justine.” He leaned forward to kiss her. “You’re sweet and smart. Your body is amazing, and you’re fun to be around.”
“Yeah, all that. About you, I mean.” She closed her eyes, still seeing the curl of his full lips.
“Sleep tight, Justine. Want me set your alarm?”
She didn’t know what she said. She only knew the feel of his arm over her and the scent of Xavier seeping into her made her feel at home.