She frowned. Was Benji putting on an act or was he as awkward as he’d always seemed?

“What the hell?” Xavier boomed from the hallway.

Which had both her and Benji yelling in fright as the giant jolted upright, tossing her ass on the floor. “Be right back.” Benji raced down the hall and slammed the bathroom door shut behind him.

“What did you do to him?” Xavier asked, his tone accusing.

“Him?” She stood and gingerly rubbed her butt. “He dumped me like a sack of potatoes.” Her eyes narrowed. “I wonder what he benches.”

“Be nice,” Xavier warned.

“Or what?”

He had her in a headlock when Benji returned soon after, and though they continued to play and tease each other, she caught more than a few of Benji’s glances her way in addition to her brother’s suspicious looks.

“Whatever,” she said to them both and proceeded to beat them into submission in the game.

Before they left, she tugged Benji aside and whispered, “Keep an eye on him. I’ll be back in a few days for a report.”

Expecting him to stammer or avoid her gaze, she was further surprised when Benji gave a solemn nod...and a wink before he closed the door behind them.

What to make of that?

CHAPTER 21

Thursday evening, Xavier tried not to laugh at his anxious dinner date. “Relax, Justine. I heard everything you said in your apartment. I understand the players and the game. I’ll be respectful and courteous. I’ll also refrain from burping or slapping your mom on the butt for cooking such a fantastic dinner.”

“Xavier,” she snapped as they got out of her car.

He followed her up the long walkway to the front door of a stately home with a manicured lawn that screamed “big money” without being overblown.

They’d parked in the driveway behind a Mercedes and an Audi. Justine’s Camry seemed a little scared behind the shiny behemoths. If he hadn’t before sensed the odd disconnect between daughter and family, he sensed it presently. A small part of him was glad to have worn a nice pair of trousers with a button down shirt, although he wore sliders, not Paul Whatevers on his feet.

She knocked, and while they waited, he murmured, “I’m kidding. Don’t worry. I’ll be the perfect boyfriend. Trust me.” He kissed her cheek just as the front door opened.

A tall woman in a flowy, knee-length dress and heels stared at them with a growing smile. “Justine, Xavier, I’m so glad you could make it.”

Justine didn’t look much like her mother, though something in the shape of the older woman’s mouth seemed similar. Soft jazz came from the house in addition to the low hum of people inside. A party he looked forward to attending, more than curious to meet Justine’s family.

“Hi, Mom. So yeah, this is Xavier. Xavier, my mom, Jeanine.”

Jeanine held out her hand, and he gave her a gentle shake, not sure if he was expected to kiss the back of her hand or not. She held her hand as if she expected more.