“So what’s the problem? There’s no time limit between getting new boyfriends. And let’s face it. Mitch was a pain for a long time,” Katie pointed out. “You and he had emotionally broken up months ago. Why not see where this thing with Xavier leads?”

“That’s my point. There is no thing with Xavier.” But there could have been yesterday. Right? Or had she been reading into the situation? She shook her head. “No, I know he felt something. He touched my cheek.”

“To remove an eyelash, you said.” Katie snorted. “That’s right up there with the stretch to land an arm around your shoulders. I can’t believe neither of you made a move.”

“Well, Sam interrupted. Or maybe I’m delusional.”

“No, you know what you felt and saw.” Katie added with a sly smile, “So what exactly did you see that made you think he might be super ‘excited’ to see you?”

Justine blushed, remembering. “I didn’t mean to look down at him. I couldn’t help myself. And it was just... His jeans looked pretty tight. And he was pretty, um, er, big.”

“Um, er, big? Which in Justine-ese, means huge, right?”

“Stop it.” Justine laughed. “How are you so able to talk about all this without blushing?”

“Have you met my mother? The one who’s so not embarrassed about anything that she’s actually embarrassing about everything?”

“Oh, right.”

“And anyway, you’re repressed. Not your fault, since your parents are always on you to conform and behave—whatever that means. But come on, sex should be fun. Adventurous. And always with a man with wonderful proportions.” Katie paused. “Unless you’re not into men or physical sex. Not judging, just saying.”

Justine sighed. “You know I like guys.”

Katie brightened. “Right. So you want ‘em hung and into making you happy. Seriously, sixty-second wonders, no matter how big they are, aren’t worth more than the eye candy.”

A knock at the door startled them both.

Justine answered to find Xavier standing in the doorway.

“Hi, Justine. Can I talk to you?”

She pulled back, and he glanced at Katie sitting in the living room munching on popcorn.

“Oh, sorry. I can come back another time.” He blinked at the TV. “What are you watching?”

She turned to see the main actor’s ass hanging out as he was frozen on the screen in a wrestling hold with a larger, more muscular combatant.

“And speaking of hung and making ‘em happy...” Katie murmured.

Xavier turned to her. “What did you say?”

“Nothing,” Justine blurted and glared at her friend.

“No, I think this calls for a man’s input.” Katie motioned for Xavier to join them. “Want some popcorn? We’re rewatching Spartacus. It’s one of my favorite series.”

Xavier entered, and Justine helplessly closed the door behind him. With any luck, Katie would be less “Katie” and not shock everyone in the room into awkward silence. Yet that was one of the reasons Justine loved her. Katie didn’t hold back, not with what she said or how she felt. And the girl was loyal to a fault, a true friend even during their disagreements.