Page 80 of The Bet
“And sometimes, men get blamed all because of a witch hunt.”
“You seem to speak with authority,” Izzy challenged. “Do you take a ‘no’ for a ‘no’, or does the line blur over for you?”
“I’m not an asshole.” Her words offended him, as did the idea that she thought he was like those people who assaulted women.
Was that how she saw him?
Her friend coughed, making them both stop and look at her. “I’m dying here, do you mind?”
Xavier laughed. “You look as if you need some sympathy.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the sharp turn of Izzy’s head.
“Her boyfriend’s coming over later,” Izzy said.
“Yeah?” he replied, turning his head to face her. “And what about you?”
“She doesn’t have a boyfriend,” her friend chirped. He didn’t miss the hard stare Izzy gave her friend.
She nodded her head towards the MacBook which she’d placed on the coffee table. “Thanks for that.”
“Glad you like it.”
