She laughed, and he had hope he hadn’t ruined everything.

He put her back so he could look into her eyes. “I’m nice and smart and responsible. And I rock this facial hair.”

“You do.” She grinned.

“But I’m not good at relationships that last. Eventually my partner does something that triggers me, I guess. Either they’re too neat or too sloppy. Too demanding or not demanding enough. But with you, I fell hard. Fast. In love. And you scared me, because with you, I knew it was so much more than lust at first sight. I’ve never had a friend like you. And I’ve missed you like crazy.”

“Me too.”

He leaned close to kiss her. “I can’t even explain how I went from happy to needing space so quickly. It just hit me so hard, how much I love you. How much I’d be broken if you left me.”

“We can’t predict the future, Xavier.” Justine shook her head. “No matter how much I wish we could. But I’ve never felt for anyone the way I feel for you.”

“Not even Dr. Douche?”

She grinned. “Not even him. My mom and sisters have been asking about you, you know. My mom called asking you to dinner again. I had to tell her I’d get back to her.”

“Dinner with Jeanine? Count me in.”

“And my father.”

“Lyle? Sure. No problem.”

She sighed. “I really do love you, and I’m not sure how it happened. But you’re my best friend, Xavier.” She whispered, “Don’t tell Katie.”

“I won’t,” he whispered back. “And I apologize wholeheartedly for being an ass and not talking to you. I had no idea what to say, to be honest, because I couldn’t tell you what I was feeling. Panic, fear, but most of all, love for a woman who fits me.” He blinked. “Ah, there’s one other thing you should know.”

“That you help my aunt write Aunt Truth?” She smirked. “I saw one of your doodles when I was in your apartment. And lately, Aunt Truth uses Dr. Who references in her advice column.”

He swallowed. “I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t think I could since it didn’t seem like Rosie had confided the truth.”

“She did a long time ago. She’s great, but Xavier, I can’t live with her here. She’ll drive me bonkers.”

He laughed. “She’s a… well, a lot to take, I grant you.”

“I have to move.”

“Move in with me.”

“I did that with Mitch, and it didn’t work.”

“But he’s just a doctor. He’s not an animator or LMFT like me.”

“Well, that’s true, but I want to think about it.”

“That’s fair.” Though he had every notion to convince her why living together would be ideal.

She wound her arms around his neck and let him pull her in for a breath stealing kiss. “He might be a doctor, but you know all about The Doctor—as in, Who.”

“That’s true. My fascination with that show is real.”