“Ha ha. You don’t see the way he looks at everyone. Like we’re future victims.”

“Nah, he’s just cautious. He’s been in some hard places.”

“Yeah, I could see that.” Benji bit enthusiastically into his food and groaned.

Xavier tried to look as if he wasn’t salivating. “How’s work? I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Been busy. New roll-out has a ton of bugs. I told my bosses to wait, but do they listen to me? No.” Benji continued to talk between bites about the lack of intelligent managers at his place of business.

“Why not apply to manage at the company yourself?”

A look of horror crossed Benji’s face. “Are you kidding me? And have to talk to people?”

“Sorry. What was I thinking?”

“No kidding. You been drinking, bro?” Benji eyes crinkled, and Xavier swore he saw his lips quirk in a grin. “See? I can make jokes. I can talk to people. Certain people.”

Of the male variety, Xavier noticed. Benji could barely make eye contact with women, and when he did, he typically stammered and blushed a lot. Xavier had seen the guy stare pretty hard at Auggie, but when she’d tried to talk to him, he’d fled.

“What else is going on beside work? Anything?” Xavier asked.

“Still killing it at Arrow Sins & Siege. My brother keeps telling me I should livestream, but no way. I mean, I love working where I do because I only have to go in twice a week and talk to all of three people. I don’t want them invading my home through my computer. My team leaders are fine with me doing all the work and leaving me alone to do it.”

“You do have a pretty nice setup.”

“You too. Must be nice to have a month off of work. But you still give advice to your neighbors.” Benji grinned. “You’re almost as good as Aunt Truth. I love reading her column. Plus, knowing it’s Rosie gives Aunt Truth even more credibility.”

Xavier snorted. “You know, I’m pretty sure Rosie has a confidentiality clause. But it feels like half this apartment knows all about it.”

“Well, we probably do. Rosie treats us all like family. When’s she coming back?”

Rosie Gallo had a way about her. Benji could talk to her without issue, at ease around the older woman. She’d taken to Adam’s nephews with ease, always welcoming them at any time. She and Kai, in 3E, were best friends. Top liked her. And hell, Xavier loved the woman. She’d cajoled him into helping her write her advice column, then insisted he take over when she went on her holiday, knowing how much he loved working on it.

He wondered if Justine knew her aunt’s secret identity and decided not to say anything unless Justine brought it up.

And why am I thinking about Justine again?

“Say, Benji, have you met Rosie’s niece, Justine? She’s really nice.”

He flushed. “Um, no. Not yet. Why?”

“Just asking. I met her the other day. She’s going to fit right in around here.”