Page 34 of One of Them Girls

“I love it,” I say as I feel Xavier come up beside me.

“I’m glad. I wasn’t sure if the beach was your thing.”

“How could it not be? Listen to the waves. Isn’t it the most calming thing you’ve ever heard?”

He’s silent for a moment. “I guess it is. I’ve never thought about it that way.”

“Cassi, this place is gorgeous. Come check out your room,” Rebecca calls from inside.

I smile at Xavier as I pass him, making my way into the house. The inside is as gorgeous as the outside.

There’s tile flooring throughout with warm beach colors painted on the walls. There are photos of Jack and his family lining the walls, but there are also paintings of the beach itself. I peek into the kitchen, smiling at the granite countertops and the hand towels embroidered with the words “Life’s A Beach.”

If I had a beach house, it would look exactly like this. I yawn again.

“Come on, you can look around in the morning. Let’s head to bed,” Xavier says, ushering me upstairs.

He stops and points to a door to my right. “That’s yours.”

“Which room is yours?”

“This one,” he says, walking backward into the room across from mine.

Interesting.

“Goodnight, Adra.” He smiles.

“‘Night, Avi,” I say, shutting the door softly.

Temptation across the hall, however, will I resist?

* * *

Xavier

I slide a plate of bacon onto the counter in front of Jack just as the girls come down the stairs.

“Be still my beating heart!” Rebecca proclaims. “Not only is he hot, but he can cook!” she teases.

“I’m more than a pretty face,” I deadpan, making everyone laugh.

Rebecca sits next to Jack while Cassi moves toward the fridge. She takes a bottle of water out and drinks half of it in one go.

“Thirsty?”

“Yeah, I didn’t drink enough water yesterday,” she says as she sets the bottle down on the counter. “This looks good, you make everything?” she asks as she looks at the food.

“All but the cinnamon rolls. Jack popped those in the oven,” I tell her, leaning against the counter.

“I’m impressed.”

“Don’t be,” I tell her, popping a piece of bacon in my mouth. “The rolls came from a can. Hardly any work.”

She leans against the counter, mimicking me, taking a bite of bacon and all. “Still impressed.”

“I aim to please.” I smirk, making her blush. “You sleep okay?”

“I did. What about you?”

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