Page 155 of Pervade London
Moving swiftly, I placed a filter into the coffee maker, and then found three mugs, the milk and the sugar, all those movements helping me keep my mind busy…
Arms came around my waist.
I turned, peering up to see Xavier towering over me. He was my port in the storm. My one true love.
But was I his?
He looked fresh and gorgeous and as complicated as he always did. This morning he’d dressed down in jeans and a jumper, which he wore over a white shirt to round out his casual style.
Reaching up to cup his face, I gave him my forgiveness. I bestowed upon him absolution for his past, forgiving him for returning to James—and for taking me to that castle in the middle of nowhere, and for everything that transpired within its ancient walls. And I also forgave him for this…a continued unknown.
Because I truly got it now…more clearly than I ever had.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Just making coffee.” Because it didn’t feel right to tell him I was shaken from bathing in his friend’s aura.
The delicious aroma of dark roast and vanilla filled the room.
Xavier’s attention drifted to the door.
We watched James stroll toward us. In contrast, he was wearing a white shirt and a waistcoat and jeans. He hadn’t shaved that stern jaw. He seemed to be going as an alternate version of himself, oozing a devilish suaveness.
“What?” He noted our stares as he stopped at the kitchen table.
Surely he knew how devastating he was? How that swagger and decadent smile made time stand still.
“Nice waistcoat,” said Xavier.
James gave him a look of disinterest.
“I’ll make toast.” Xavier got to work preparing breakfast.
I poured us all a coffee and handed them out. When my hand reached James’, it trembled, and I hoped he’d not caught it as the mug was passed to him.
James accepted his drink with a nod of thanks and sat down at the kitchen table.
I, the moth, had flown directly into the flame unknowingly. I stared at him and he offered me a smile. I could tell it was meant to reassure me that what had happened in his shower was no cause for guilt. Not for him, anyway.
A chill ran through me as I noticed that Xavier had been watching the two of us. My heart rate sped up as I wondered if he’d caught that special moment. The one that revealed I’d walked into the wrong damn room this morning.
After joining James at the table, I played with the Special K in my bowl. Xavier remained standing as he ate his muesli while running his thumb across the screen of his Smartphone. It made me wonder if that chess game was still going on.
James bit down on a slice of buttered toast covered in Marmite and then took a sip of coffee and gestured for us to join him.
The silence was awkward.
From James’ wink my way, I could tell he felt it, too.
Xavier didn’t move. “How can you eat that?”
James paused mid-bite. “Marmite?”
“Yeah.”
James bit off a corner and then slipped into a cute smile. “An acquired taste.”
“Your tastes are unusual,” chided Xavier.
