He flushed, aware he let his sister get under his skin. “Sorry. Hermione.”

“Better.” Auggie smirked. She loved nothing better than turning the tables on him, because it was usually Xavier holding “the world”—according to Auggie—accountable for supporting people instead of tearing them down. Not that his sister would ever try to demean anyone, but she had the old USMC attitude of “suck it up, princess,” whenever anyone voiced a complaint.

He snorted. “Nice job correcting me when I had no idea she’d changed her name.”

“Not my problem, Dr. Do-Little. Do. Little. Two words. Ha. Get it? Because you do so little?” She looked way too pleased with herself. Yet, she seemed to be hiding behind forced laughter.

“You’re not that funny.” He stared at her, aware something felt off about Auggie lately. “Why have you been avoiding me?”

“Avoiding you? Please.”

He stared at her, aware she couldn’t meet his gaze. “Who was the guy on the phone?”

“Which guy? There’ve been too many to count.” She gulped down caffeine as if it could save her from his interrogation.

“And why did you ditch me and Justine at Mom’s Sunday night?” He narrowed his gaze. “It’s the guy. You’re into him.”

She huffed. “Whatever. I like men. That’s no secret. And I will not be slut shamed.”

He groaned when a woman from another table shot him a dirty look. “Would you stop? I’ve never shamed you for being a slut. Not that you are one. Hell, I don’t even like the word.”

“Because I wear the name proudly?”

“That’s right, honey. Be sex positive,” said a person from behind them.

Xavier could almost feel the daggers being shot into his back. “Happy now?”

She snickered. “Yeah.”

They looked at each other.

At the same time, they both blurted, “I know you’re boffing Justine.” “I know you’re into this new guy, whoever he is.”

They paused, glaring at each other. “Go ahead,” Xavier said. “You first.”

“Pearls before swine,” Auggie said in a snooty voice and laughed at the face he made. “Fine. I know you and Justine are getting hot and involved. Mom liked her. I like her. I think. I don’t know her all that well though.”

“You should go out with her and get to know her better. Or would that get in the way of your new man?”

They waited while Hermione dropped off their food.

“Eat it, bitch.” She turned from Auggie and gave Xavier a huge smile. “Hey, sweetie. I haven’t seen you lately. Just the loudmouth with her shaggy boyfriend.”

“Hermione,” Auggie growled. “Go. Away.”

“I’d better get a big tip,” the server warned, flipped Auggie off, then waved at Xavier. “Let me know if you need more coffee.” Pause. “Or anything else, on or off the menu.”

He winked, and Hermione sighed before barking at the next customer.

“Hermione sucks,” Auggie muttered and stuffed her face with potato pancakes.

“Shaggy boyfriend?” He frowned, wondering who that might be. Benji immediately came to mind, but his sister would never go out with him. Too nerdy, according to Auggie when they’d discussed his neighbor upon first meeting him.