Page 58 of Even Beneath the Stars

"The best." I reach for another chunk that has a pink jellybean and blue Sour Patch Kid melted in. "Honestly, my mom's probably my best friend."

He pauses mid-bite. "Your mom's your best friend?"

"Yup."

"And clearly also a lunatic in the kitchen."

I laugh. "Yeah, that too. She's kind of a health nut—like full-on 'vegetables or fruit with every meal' kind of healthy. So, the Bruise Buster Boulder was always an extra special treat."

He's quiet for a few minutes. "Yeah," he says thoughtfully. "I had this one nanny who would give me Pop-Tarts for a bedtime snack if I'd had a really shitty day." He smiles at the memory, which causes his split lip to start bleeding again. He wipes it with the back of his hand, removing the antibiotic cream in the process.

"Pop-Tarts, huh?" I grin.

"Frosted strawberry. The best."

"Yeah… Strawberry and cherry are my fave."

Xavier nods. He watches me for what feels like a long time, his expression unreadable."Thank you," he says finally, then clears his throat. "Again—for putting in a good word for me with Cam. But also, for coming to the station tonight with Scarlett… and cleaning me up." His busted lip twitches into the hint of a grin. "But mostly for the ah… the Bruise Buster Ball thing."

"Boulder," I correct. "Bruise BusterBoulder."

"Sorry—Boulder." The corner of his mouth lifts higher. "I can already feel its healing powers working." He unfolds himself stiffly from the couch, wincing slightly. "Okay. I'm gonna head to bed."

"Same." I gather the empty plate, depositing it on the counter before following him.

We climb the sweeping staircase in silence, but for once, the quiet between us feels comfortable and easy—not charged with the usual hostility or tension.

At our doors, we pause.

"Well, good night," I say softly. "Hope you sleep okay."

"Night." He hesitates, rolling his bottom lip between his teeth, hand on the door handle. "Hey, Maggie?"

"Yeah?"

He shifts his jaw, his throat bobbing with a slow swallow. "For what it's worth, you're the least shit nannyFinn's had so far."

Before I can respond, he disappears into his room, leaving me standing there in stunned silence.

I slip into my own room, smiling as I close the door behind me.

ChapterTwenty-Three

Maggie

"So, then the T-Rex says to the stegosaurus, 'You're looking a bitplatetoday!'" I deliver the punchline with jazz hands.

Finn giggles through a mouthful of pancake. "Another one!"

"Let the poor girl eat her breakfast," Candice chides, sliding another stack of fluffy pancakes onto a plate.

The kitchen smells amazing—like butter and vanilla and childhood memories. And she's laid out a feast of toppings—fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and three kinds of syrup.

"Has Xavier been down yet?" I ask, trying to sound casual while helping Finn cut his pancake into more manageable pieces.

Candice shakes her head. "Haven't seen him this morning." She gives me a knowing look. "Heard it was quite a night."

"Yeah…" I meet her eyes briefly. "It was."

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