“Ha. I know.”

Auggie snorted. “Preach.”

“Are you still searching for a good man?”

Auggie was beautiful, built, and seemed full of positive energy. If she couldn’t find a significant other, Justine had little hope for Katie and her other single friends. But not herself—because she had Xavier.

“Maybe. I’m not sure yet.” Auggie looked thoughtful for a moment before her trademark snark reappeared. “I’m not sure any men really deserve me.” She shook her head, and her ponytail fluttered behind her. “Ah, sorry, Justine. I have to go. Got to get more training under my belt if I want to win this upcoming fitness competition. We should do coffee some time.”

“Sure. Just let me know and I’ll make it happen.”

Auggie raised a brow. “Yeah, sure. Just as soon as you dump your crappy boss and find a job that lets you live a little.” A one-two punch that hit home.

“Good point.”

“Later.” Auggie left in a rush just as Benji entered the courtyard.

He spotted Justine and froze.

“Hi, Benji. Don’t mind me. I’m just heading upstairs. The fountain’s all yours.” She noted him holding a nylon bag.

“Uh, yeah. Okay.” He glanced around then left.

Odd.

She didn’t run into Sam or his family as the group had gone on their Hawaii trip. She only knew because Sam had left a note by the door Monday morning. Her third floor neighbor, Kai, remained gone, along with Aunt Rosie. So only Justine, Xavier, Benji, and Top remained in the building. She found she missed Sam, who brought youth and fun into the place.

Even Top with his grunts and stern expressions enriched the TCA, because didn’t every building need at least one grumpy guy?

Back upstairs, she decided to pop over to Xavier’s without showering and changing first. He wouldn’t mind.

She knocked, and the door immediately opened.

“Who are you?” asked a drop-dead gorgeous woman. She had rich brown hair, blue eyes, and an hourglass figure. She looked Justine up and down. “What do you want?”

“Christine, stop it,” Xavier said from inside the apartment. He spotted Justine and looked instantly relieved, not the expression one would think to find on man guilty of cheating on her.

Such an odd thought to have, but Justine was so gone on Xavier that she kept waiting for something bad to happen.

Xavier crossed to her and pulled her inside the apartment. “Hi, Justine. Christine, this is my girlfriend. Justine, this is my ex…who was just leaving.”

“Are you serious?” Christine eyes turned shiny. “You’re dating already?”

Justine wanted to feel bad for her, but from all Xavier had said, the woman refused to leave him alone. She held tightly to his hand, standing close. His presence felt so good, something she’d needed for the past few days.

He put an arm around her shoulders. “Christine, I wasn’t lying. Your brother wasn’t lying. Neither was my boss or our receptionist,” he growled. “Please don’t come to my workplace again. Get some help. This obsession isn’t healthy for you.”