Page 69 of Not Catching Love

“We’ll see.” He gives me one of his smiles. The kind that would look adorable if his eyes didn’t scream mischief.

“Your fake innocence doesn’t work on me.”

“That’s what you think.”

He follows me inside, and even though I spent the morning cleaning up, it isn’t much to look at. A leather couch, a TV, a stark white kitchen, and a small dining table that’s never used. There isn’t much clutter because there isn’t much of anything.

Bertha house feels alive, and while I like that my place is clean and open, I can admit it lacks the soul of their chaotic household.

“See? No hovel?”

Xander doesn’t say much as he walks across the living space and looks around. “This is like … a proper grown-up house.”

“It’s pretty basic.”

“There’s nothing on the floors. Or clothes thrown over the back of the couch. Or shoes cluttered around the door so that when you walk in, you almost trip over them and break your neck.”

“Anyone ever told you that you’re dramatic?”

“It could happen. The hall table isrightthere and super heavy. Knock your head on that and it’s good night.”

“I suggest you stay on your feet, then.”

Xander moves around, looking way too good in my space,and tugs on the corner of a cushion resting on the couch. “These are fancy.”

“Hannah bought them for me.”

His purple glare snaps up to me. “Who?”

I almost laugh. “My best friend’s wife.”

“Manny?” he confirms. I don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned Manny before, but Xander still has a wariness there.

“Yup.”

He twists his lips from one side to the other. “I think I should be your best friend instead. I spend more time with you.”

He spends all his time with me. It’s not something I’m going to complain about either. In the few weeks since we had sex, Xander’s decided that boundaries don’t exist anymore. His texts are constant, he meets me after work or has me go to his place, and when we can’t meet up, we end up talking on the phone until late. Too late. I fell asleep during our conversation last night, and I can only imagine what shit I spewed in my sleep.

“Manny’s been my best friend since high school.”

“People change.”

It’s hard not to tease him when he’s being ridiculous. “What if I have two best friends?”

“That’s not howbestworks, but nice try.”

I cross over so that I’m standing at the back of the couch, right in front of him. I tug the cushion from his hold. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

“I’ll have to be jealous more often, then.”

“Or you could believe me when I say that I don’t want to be best friends with you. Keeping that little bit of distance between us is needed. For my goddamn sanity.”

Xander slowly drags his bottom lip between his teeth and leans forward. “Have you ever jerkedMannyoff?”

“Nope.”

He lets out a satisfiedhmm. “Guess that means I win, then.”

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