“Should I be worried about this bloodthirsty streak of yours?”

She snuggled into his side, and he let his arm fall over her shoulders, saying nothing, not wanting to jinx the moment. She poked him in his ribs. “Yes, be very worried. If you even think about giving me someone else’s job without pay, I’ll find a way to blow up your brain.”

He chuckled. “Hell, all you have to do for that is to get me in a room with clients who keep repeating the same mistakes and refuse to change because they know better.”

“Yet they keep coming to you for advice.”

“Which they don’t ever take. I typically have to ask what they want out of our therapy sessions and eventually refer them to other people. Because I’m obviously not helping them and I feel guilty about taking their money.”

“Aw, a nice guy.” She snuggled deeper into him, and he swallowed a sigh of contentment.

“I really am. Super nice.” He hovered his hand over her head, then said screw it and stroked her hair. The caress soothed him as well, despite the swearing and decapitations on the screen.

After a brief silence between them, Justine asked, “Is it weird how relaxing this is? Even though our hero just cut through another dozen people?”

He laughed. “I was just thinking that.” He let himself fully unwind and sank into the sofa. “I’m feeling pretty mellow as well.”

Two hours later, he blinked his eyes open and realized they’d both fallen asleep.

“Xavier?”

He glanced down at Justine. “I think we fell asleep.”

“I know. Sorry.” She mumbled something as she pushed up to a sitting position next to him.

“What’s that?”

She blushed. “I just said I hoped I didn’t drool on you.”

“Hey, what’s a little drool between friends?”

She chuckled and stood. Then she stretched, and he did his damnedest not to stare at her flat, toned stomach. “Guess I’d better get home.”

“I’ll walk you up.”

They left without any of the awkwardness he kept waiting to settle. At her door, she turned and gave him a brief kiss on the mouth.

“Come over tomorrow,” he blurted as she entered her apartment.

“Tomorrow?”

He nodded. “Auggie’s coming over. We’re heading to Benji’s for a game night.”

“You sure Benji won’t mind me coming over?”

“Nah. He likes you. You converted him with all that gaga talk about Arrow Sins & Siege.”

She grinned. “Sounds like a plan. And thanks for listening to me.”

He wanted to know what she had planned in regards to her job. But she seemed so relaxed now, he didn’t want to ruin her mood. “Anytime. I mean that.”

“Thanks.” She looked as if she wanted to invite him inside, but she didn’t.

He took a step back and waved. “Tomorrow night at seven, work? I’ll text you.”

“Sounds good. Bye.” She closed the door.

He walked back downstairs and went to bed early.

He slept soundly, though his bed felt empty without Justine next to him.