Page 85 of Even Beneath the Stars

"Yeah. She said you deserved some time off after putting in those extra hours the night of the fight." His eyes search mine. "They both get it, Maggie. It's not weird for them to hang out with Finn sometimes."

I fidget with the sleeve of my cardigan. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure." His expression softens. "They both love you. You know that, right? You're the first nanny Finn actually listens to. And respects."

Something warm blooms in my chest at his words. Not just because it's nice to hear I'm doing well at my job, but because of the way Xavier says it—like the words mean something to him, too.

"Really?"

"Really." He reaches out and tugs gently on a strand of my hair. "So, stop worrying about being unprofessional, and let me take you on part two of our date."

"I still can't believe there's a part two."

His grin turns into a throaty laugh when I stumble over my own feet as I turn towards the exit. He steadies me with one hand, then heads for the main doors, glancing over his shoulder as he opens one of them for me. "So predictable, LeClair… tripping over yourself trying to impress me."

I roll my eyes. "I try to impress no-one."

"Yeah, the outfit choice kind of gave that away."

I flick his chest as I walk past him to the car. "Sorry if I offended your sensibilities, Parka Boy."

"No offence taken, Pipe Cleaner Girl."

As we slide into the front seats of his car, I glance over at him. "You do realize if I love part two of this date as much as part one, you’re officially setting the bar way too high for yourself, right?"

He flashes a playful grin. "Challenge accepted."

Chapter Thirty-Four

Maggie

"Five minutes." Xavier kills the engine. "Dress warm." We're back at the Rockwell Estate, where apparently the second part of the date is going to take place.

"What? Why?"

He's already climbing out of the car. "Just do it, LeClair."

"But—"

"Four minutes and forty-five seconds."

I bolt inside and sprint up the stairs, my mind spinning with possibilities. Something outdoors. Something that requires warm clothes.

My hands shake a little as I dig through my closet. Not from cold—from excitement. It's weird being on this side of things. Usually I'm the one planning everything, organizing every detail. But here's Xavier being the organizer and… I kind of love it.

I layer up—thermal shirt, sweater, my warmest jacket. Thick socks. Hat.

"Two minutes!" Xavier's voice echoes up the stairs.

"Coming!" I grab my gloves and race back down, nearly colliding with him at the bottom.

"Whoa there, Sonic." He steadies me with both hands.

I'm grinning like an idiot. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see." He tugs my hat down over my eyes, and my heart does a little flip when his fingers brush my chin.

"Hey!" I readjust it, catching his smirk. "At least tell me if I'm dressed warm enough."

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