“Oh, I like that.” Katie nodded.

“You would,” Justine said, still not understanding how Xavier had become part of this conversation.

“You will too once you have rockin’ waves.”

Xavier raised a brow.

“She’s in between boyfriends.”

“I know. She’s waiting until she’s ready.”

“Ha! Take that.” Justine pointed at Katie. “Xavier understands all about needing space.”

Katie answered, “Which is why we’re hanging out here watching naked men wave their flags around instead of hanging at a bar where we could be meeting showers and growers.”

Xavier choked on his drink.

“Hey, Xavier, do you want to watch some Spartacus with us? Or would you rather talk to Justine about whatever it was you wanted to talk about?”

Xavier got a strange look on his face as he looked from the TV to Justine. “You know what? I think watching this show with you sounds fascinating. My conversation can keep. Justine, are you comfy down there on the floor?”

Katie patted the spot between them on the couch. “Yeah, there’s plenty of room to join us. You can sit right between Xavier and me.”

It would be a super tight fit. Something Justine couldn’t handle just now. “Nope, I’m fine. You sure you want to watch this? It’s pretty violent.”

“And sexual,” Katie had to add.

Xavier’s grin made her want to sigh. “Sounds perfect. Besides, what could be better than watching gratuitous sex and violence with two gorgeous women? Wait until I tell my friends how I spent my Friday night.”

“With two hot babes and a lot of swinging dick,” Katie added.

Xavier chuckled. “Exactly.”

Justine groaned. “Screw the ice tea. I think this calls for beer.”

CHAPTER 13

Despite the embarrassing way the night had started, Justine ended up having a ton of fun with her friends. Katie kept saying whatever shocking thing popped into her head, and Justine knew it was her way of testing Xavier, to see how he’d respond.

He answered her with humor and some insightful commentary. The therapist in him never far from the surface, apparently. Yet Justine didn’t mind. She found herself more and more attracted to Xavier’s quick wit and thoughtfulness. She also liked that in some instances he very much acted stereotypical, thoroughly enchanted by the violent scenes of fighting on TV.

“Wow. That’s a move. I bet he wrestled in high school, maybe college.”

“Thinking about grappling for fun? Don’t look at me,” Katie warned. “Though Justine’s been known to be pretty scrappy.”

“Oh, stop.” Justine’s face had felt permanently warm all night. “Rolling around in the sand doesn’t look appealing. Plus, you get sand in all sorts of places.”

The episode ended, finally, and before a new one could get started—they’d already watched two—she paused the series.

“Good point.” Xavier stood and stretched, and Katie shot a quick gaze at his crotch and gave her a subtle thumbs up.

Fortunately, he missed it.

Justine looked at the floor, trying not to laugh, and felt as if she’d left all her dignity in the other room. Katie never failed to make life fun, that was for sure.