Page 147 of The Bet
Izzy twisted off the top to the liquid eyeliner pen. “People change,” she said, drawing a thin line close to her upper eyelashes.
“I’m not sure if he changed or you did.”
Izzy remained silent. She couldn’t answer that question herself. She’d often wondered if she’d been the one who had had preconceived ideas about Xavier, or whether they had both changed slowly, over time.
“Where's he taking you tonight?”
“To NYB, The burger bar.” He’d told her he wanted to talk.
“That loud noisy burger place that your kid Jacob likes?” Cara made a face. “That's not very romantic.”
“We don't want cheesy romance.”
“You guys really know how to do romance, don't you? Kids burger place. Next you’ll be telling me Jacob’s coming along.”
“No.” She grinned at Cara’s reflection in the mirror. They hadn’t told anyone that they were an item. There had been no need to. “We're thinking of going away,” she announced, “around the same time you go to Cancun.”
“You’re dropping me for him?”
“Do you blame me?”
“Not one bit!” Cara cried in glee. “He’s taking you away to his private island? In his private jet?”
“We’re talking about going to The Hamptons. His family has a place there, and he doesn’t have a private jet.”
“Oh, sweeeet!”
She found herself looking forward to it. A few days in the Hamptons, just him and her.
“You'll come back barely able to walk,” said Cara, grinning. “Don’t forget your Guide to the Kama Sutra.”
“I won’t,” she replied, giving her friend a naughty wink. Cara peered at her closely. “He's had an effect. Definitely had an effect on you.”
She rubbed blush into her cheeks “No, he hasn’t.”
“Listen to yourself.”
“I was joking.”
“You start going out with Xavier Stone, and you end up sounding like a hussy gagging for sex.”
“That's what you think.” She put on her barely there nude lipstick and grabbed her bag, before Cara started to ask more personal questions. And Izzy wasn't keen to tell her everything.
“He's waiting outside,” she said, answering her cell phone on the first ring. “See you later!”
She rushed out to find him waiting in the car.
He leaned forward for a kiss. “I’ve just put my lipstick on,” she told him, staring at his lips and holding back. “Yes. I made an effort for you,” she said, in a tone what was intended to sound dismissive.
“You always look good, even without makeup.”
“You charmer.”
“I’m being honest.”
“I’ll kiss you properly, later,” she promised. At least the BMW was bigger than the Ferrari, and there was more room to move around. Their kissing was more intense, more passionate, more deep. But it wasn't enough.
She was eager to hear what he wanted to talk about, but soon after they arrived at NYB, the place soon became busier. It seemed like someone’s birthday party, and the noise levels were crazy. Xavier seemed to be on edge.
