Page 49 of The Bet
“But your nose is red. You look cold.”
“I’m fine.”
They sat down on some benches nearby.
“Thanks for walking off without letting me know,” Xavier snapped.
“You were busy on your phone,” she snapped back.
“Where’s mine?” he asked, looking at Jacob’s hot drink.
“Do you want some?” Jacob offered his plastic cup to him.
“No, thanks, kid. You drink up. I’ll go and get my own.”
“Nice?” Izzy asked, rubbing her hands together and wishing she had worn her winter clothes.
“Mmmmmm,” was Jacob’s appreciative response. “Thanks for taking me,” he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“You’re welcome.”
“Mommy said you’re going to be around more now, and we can do things at the weekend, even when she comes back.”
“Yes. I had such a good time with you on the island, that I told your mommy I would be happy to spend more time with you.”
“Cool.”
“Here.” Xavier appeared in front of her and shoved a cup of hot chocolate towards her. “I told them no marshmallows, on account of you being a vegetarian, and no whipped cream on account of you counting calories.”
And for you, kid.” He handed Jacob a chocolate donut.
“Awesome! Thank you.”
She looked up, not sure whether to be surprised or insulted. Was he being considerate, and trying too hard? Or was he just reverting to type and being an asshole because it was hard-wired into his DNA?
“Who said I was counting calories?”
He seemed to pause in shock. “Okay. That was my mistake. I assumed most girls counted calories.”
“Maybe the types of girls you hang around with.”
He was like a chameleon, changeable, shifting. One minute she wanted to slap him, and the next she wanted to like him. And as a starving student trying to survive on a tight budget, if Xavier wanted to be her knight in shining armor, she would let him.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the cup of hot chocolate and letting its warmth heat her hands.
“Move over, would you?” Xavier asked, and she scooted along the bench, deciding not to question why he couldn’t sit next to Jacob because there was plenty of space on his side.
“We’re going home after this,” she announced.
“Aaaawwww,” Jacob wailed, his lips covered in sugar.
“Are you sure you want to go home so soon, kid?” Xavier asked Jacob. “We only just got here.”
“Your grandparents might be back soon.” If she mentioned them, there might be less chance of Xavier inviting himself back home.
“I’ll drop you guys off.”
“Are you coming back with us?” Jacob asked, a hint of pleading in his voice. It made her wonder why he seemed to be so drawn to Xavier.
“I can keep you company, Jacob,” she offered.
“You said you had too much homework to do.”
He must have overheard her talking to Cara on the phone earlier. “It’s true. But it is the weekend, and I can stay longer. I’m sure your grandparents will be tired after their day out.”
“Some other time, kid.”
Something was up with Xavier as he drove them back. He didn’t seem as friendly, and didn’t say much. And he couldn’t get out of the Merc and hop into his Ferrari fast enough. He raced off, with Jacob staring at the car in awe.
Xavier and his bright red supposedly sexy babe magnet. Trust him to drive something like that. It was so him.
