Page 6 of Chasing Xander
“Yes!” Kylie grinned. “I don’t know if it was a pickup line or not, but it was definitely the most…unique thing any guy has ever said to me.”
The friend laughed. “It’s the cheesiest line I’ve ever heard.”
“Cheesy or not, it totally worked.” Kylie popped a french fry in her mouth.
Xander couldn’t help the arrogant grin that pulled at his lips. Kylie was telling her friend about him?
“But you didn’t get his number?” The friend raised a brow. “Do you even know his name?”
Finn nudged his arm and nodded at the two girls as if to say, “Are you going to introduce me or what?”
“Yes,” Kylie said. “His name is Xander. Isn’t that sexy?”
“At your service,” he said, pulling out the chair next to Kylie and sitting.
Kylie jerked around to look at him. His breath caught. She had the purest green eyes he’d ever seen, and the way they sparkled now was like a punch in the gut. She’d done a hell of a job avoiding eye contact earlier, so he hadn’t noticed them before. But now, he couldn’t stop staring.
“What’re you doing here?” Her gaze darted to her friend, up to Finn, then back to him. “How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough to know you think I’m hot and to hear your friend call my line cheesy. I thought it was quite clever.” He smiled, then extended his hand across the table. “Xander Collins.”
“Celeste Anderson,” she said slowly, shaking his hand.
“Nice to meet you. This is Finn.” Xander nodded at him. “Finn, meet Celeste and Kylie.”
“Do you mind?” Finn asked, touching the back of the chair next to Celeste.
“No, not at all. Please, sit.” Celeste smiled up at Finn, and he promptly sat.
Kylie cleared her throat. “Um, I mind. We were having a private conversation.”
“About me,” Xander said. “Therefore, it stands to reason I should be a part of said conversation, don’t you think?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “If we wanted you to be a part of the conversation, we would’ve invited you.” Her lips twitched as if she wanted to smile, but then she pressed her mouth shut.
Xander let out a sharp laugh. “Would you like us to leave?”
Kylie stared at him for a moment, and he held his breath, fully expecting her to say yes. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d been shot down by a girl. He refused to look away, though, and that’s when he noticed the light dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her face reddened, making the freckles pop. Goddamn that was sexy as all get out.
But instead of answering his question, she lurched forward, said “ow,” and then reached under the table to rub her leg. “Did you just kick me?” she said to Celeste.
“Sorry my friend is being so rude.” Celeste gave Kylie a dirty look, then smiled at Finn. “You two are welcome to stay. If you don’t mind us eating in front of you.”
“Actually, we’re planning to eat, too,” Finn said. He stood. “We’ll go get some food, give you two a few minutes.” He motioned for Xander to get up.
Standing, Xander leaned down so his mouth was near Kylie’s ear, and he whispered, “I can massage your leg if you want, get rid of the pain. I’mverygood with my hands.”
She turned her head so her mouth was inches from his. Then she raised one perfectly arched brow. “I certainly hope your massages are better than your pickup lines.”
He pulled back, momentarily stunned. “You mean the pickup lines that, and I quote, ‘totally worked’?” He straightened, smiling at the shocked expression on her face. “We’ll be back in a minute. Save our seats?” He directed the question at Celeste, who was trying not to laugh.
“Sure thing,” she said.
Xander slipped his hands into his pockets and whistled as he followed Finn toward the food. Running into Kylie had been sheer luck, but now that he had, he was going to make the most of it.
Chapter Three
“What is wrong with you?” Celeste whispered as soon as Xander and Finn were out of earshot.
