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“Speaking of, can I talk to you for a moment?” Xavier steps away from the table with Chef Ramon.
“This guy took me to a restaurant once for a chef’s table dinner and it was a complete nightmare. There was a fire in the kitchen, we all had to evacuate, but by the time we did, I reeked of smoke. I had to shampoo my hair five times to get the stench out. And it was a shame because the guy was hot, but I was so self-conscious after that.”
I smile as nicely as possible. “That’s too bad. Hopefully this one goes better.”
Sessilee looks over her shoulder at Xavier. “Me and you both. I mean, Giulia will probably kill me, but I think he’s worth it.” She winks and shrugs.
I choke on my saliva and reach for my glass of ice water, but Ben gets a hold of it first to pass it to me. I continue having a coughing fit though, and the water spills down the front of my dress.
“Oh shit, I was trying to help you.” He picks up his napkin and blots the front of my dress with his napkin.
The sound of a clearing throat interrupts us, and I look up to see Xavier’s white-knuckling the back of his chair before he pulls it back. “Groping at the table might be a new thing for you, Ben.” He lets out his fake laugh and sits down.
Even Sessilee shoots Xavier an inquisitive glare.
“I’ve got it, thanks, Ben.” I take his napkin and continue blotting my dress. “It’s just water. It’ll dry.”
Sessilee balks. “Boy, you’re easygoing. I’d be throwing a fit. That fabric is going to wrinkle before we get to the main course.”
“Shit, seriously?” Ben asks, his eyes landing on my chest. “Want a blow dryer? I bet they have one in the ladies’ room.”
I shoo him with my hand. “I’m fine. Honestly.”
“If I were you, I’d already be calling this date a disaster.” Sessilee sits back at the table as a waiter comes in and pours the bottle of wine I assume Xavier ordered moments ago.
“This isn’t really my scene.” Ben sulks slightly.
I put my hand on his knee. Ben means well, and I already knew this isn’t where he usually takes his dates. “Me either. I’ve never been to a chef’s table.”
He smiles at me, and I sense a calmness coming over him. “Not like these two.” He nods toward Xavier and Sessilee.
His comment only cements the truth that Xavier and I are more different now than we’ve ever been.
“Since when did you two decide to team up against us?” Xavier asks, laying his napkin in his lap.
Sometimes when I see him all dressed up in a suit, so grown up from the boy I’ve known my entire life, he feels like a completely different person to me. A memory from the time when we were transitioning from kids to teenagers flickers in my mind.
We were thirteen and had both been invited to Kayla George’s boy/girl party. It was the night before, and I was in the Greenes’ basement after eating dinner. Since both of our parents had told us we had to quit sleeping over at each other’s houses, my mom was due to pick me up in an hour. Xavier and I were watching a movie, some action flick he was obsessed with at the time.
I broached the subject first. “Are you nervous for tomorrow night?”
Rumors were swirling all over school that Kayla and her friends were planning on playing all the kissing games. In fact, Kayla had pulled me aside earlier that day in the girls’ bathroom and asked if I’d be mad if she kissed Xavier. I told her I didn’t care, Xavier could kiss who he wanted. Which was true.
“Why would I be nervous?”
I gave him a duh look. “The kissing games.”
His head fell back for a moment. “You worry too much. We’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
We both continued to watch the movie for a moment, but I couldn’t get rid of my anxiety, and I always talked to Xavier when I was anxious. He was the only one who made me feel better.
“Did you hear Tre told all the boys that Darla kissed like an open bottle? He made fun of her for not knowing how to use her tongue.”
He shrugged and didn’t take his eyes off the screen. “Tre’s a jerk.”
I had no qualms that Xavier would be polite and nice to whoever gave him his first kiss. At least, I didn’t think he’d had his first kiss yet. He definitely would’ve told me.
“But what if I get stuck kissing someone who’s experienced?”
