Page 21 of Even Beneath the Stars

Ipause for a second at the threshold, then take a slow, quiet inhale. Let it out… "Hey," I say, stepping into the room.

Xavier's attention remains on his phone as he keeps scrolling, one arm stretched along the back of the couch. After a few seconds, he glances up, just long enough to give me a bored, cursory glance. "Hey," he says, his voice deeper than I remember, a little worn around the edges.

Rough night, I guess. Poor baby.

He goes back to scrolling, totally dismissing me. Not even one playful lobster pants quip.

So… I guess this is how we're playing things now.

Wonderful.

"Do you know if Finn’s back yet? With Rita?"

He keeps scrolling. "No idea."

"Well, uh, how long have you been in here?" I want to be sure I didn't miss Finn's arrival. It's possible they got back a little early; I lost track of time talking to my mother.

"A while." Xavier still doesn't look up, so he misses my eye roll.

"And you didn't hear them come in?"

"Not sure."

So helpful.

I watch him for a second, annoyed that he manages to lookthatgood while beingthismuch of an ass. Faded black jeans, a T-shirt with the words "Brain Candy" over an image I can't make out. Full lips, long lashes. Hair a little longerthan the last time I saw him, the light brown waves bed-tousled and effortlessly sexy.

Everything about him is a harsh contrast to his lavish surroundings. There's a cool confidence to Xavier Rockwell that's impossible to ignore, somehow present even when he's just quietly lounging, scuffed sneakers carelessly resting against the lush velour.

His molten eyes flick up—slow and deliberate. "If you keep staring," he murmurs, "I might have to start charging."

My cheeks flush.

Screw him.I'm not going to let him intimidate me.

"I think you have a coffee stain on your shirt."

He doesn’t. But it’s the first excuse that pops into my head. Anyway, he’s clearly not going to be helpful, so I decide to check the other rooms, just in case Finn and Rita are back and in some other part of this palace. Not like I even remember what the layout of the space is that the boys occupy, but… fake it till you make it, right?

I wander down the short arched hallway to my left and push open the only door.

Fantastic. It’s a walk-in fridge.

Like, an actual cold room, stocked-piled with crates of soda, artisanal cheese, and a bunch of other jars and bottles.

I back out casually, like I totally meant to do that. Like I'm not a complete dork who just walked into a giant fridge searching for the kid who has been entrusted in my care.

And of course, Xavier’s full attention is on me now, brows slightly raised, lips twitching in a barely-there smirk. He doesn’t say anything, but the look of mocking amusement in his eyes says it all.

Yeah. Pretty sure Inailedthe whole 'not looking like a dork wandering out of a giant fridge' thing.

I stroll back into the seating area, his gaze following me like he’s waiting to see what I’ll do next. With my luck, there's probably a giant oven downanother nearby hallway he knows I might end up walking into on my next search attempt.

"Well," I announce, "looks like we won’t be running out of roasted red pepper hummus for at least three years. So… that’s good news."

A peace offering. A chance to thaw the ice.

Xavier stares. No reaction. Then, without a word, he goes back to scrolling.

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