Page 13 of A Geek Girl's Guide to Kissing a Video Gamer
Xavier didn’t want an out. If anything, he wanted a reason to stick around and get to know her. “No way. I don’t get someone into a situation and then bail. I got you into this; I’m sticking with you through it.”
“Poppy told Buck we’re engaged. I can’t make you go through with that.”
“If I had a problem with it, I wouldn’t have gone along with it. Look, I’ll find us a hotel, book two rooms, and even throw in a fake engagement ring. We’re getting your company back.”
Sadie sat back. “Why are you so gung ho?”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Because you’re talented, and I think you should have a chance to get your company back. I want to help if I can.”
Her eyebrows knitted together as she chewed her lip. “I don’t know.”
How was he going to convince this beautiful woman to let him help? And then it hit him. “I’ll put some skin in the game. I want to use Empire for a new game I’m developing, but only if you’re in charge of the company.”
Great. If they pulled this off, he’d actually have to develop a new game. He’d been wanting to, but after his breakup, it had been hard to get his focus back.
Her lips parted with a gasp. “You’re developing a new game? That’s awesome. I mean,Dragon’s Furywas light-years ahead of everyone else. Having an actual thought-out story with relatable regular-Joe characters was brilliant. Then to use literature and weave conspiracies through it? It made the fantasy elements come alive. I can’t wait to play the new one.” Her eyes widened.
“You play it?
She nodded. “Sad, right? I’m forty and still playing games.”
“Me too. Well, forty-one.”
Her lips spread into a wide smile. “Really?”
“Guilty.”
“That was dumb. Of course you’d play your own game.” Her bottom lip caught in her teeth, and she grinned. “Think we could hang out one night during the exhibition and play?”
Now it was his turn to be floored. “Absolutely. Do you like Twizzlers?”
Sadie’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Who in their right mind plays video games without Twizzlers and cold pizza?”
“Cold pizza? You like cold pizza too?” Right then and there, if nothing came of their trip, he wanted to be friends. This woman was too cool for words.
“How do you think I gained thirty pounds? Well, other than chocolate.” She laughed, but he could tell her weight bothered her. Maybe he could help with that too while they were at the exhibition.
Xavier smiled. “I’ll definitely find a way for us to do a little gaming while we’re there.”
Sadie sighed. “Pretending to be engaged in front of Buck isn’t going to be easy.”
“How hard can it be?”
“He’s going to expect us to act like we’re engaged.” A light blush blanketed her cheeks, and Xavier would’ve given his entire salary for the year to know what caused it. “Like…act it.”
Oh…kissing. Now it was Xavier’s turn to blush. Heat raced to his ears and burned. “Oh, yeah.”
She held up her hand. “You know, we’ll deal with that if we have to. With me schmoozing Templar, I doubt I’ll have to deal with Buck much. No worries.”
“And even if you do, we can always say we don’t like public displays. I mean, people don’t have to make out to prove they’re engaged.”
“Exactly.” She smiled, and he couldn’t help but notice her soft-looking lips. He hoped they did have to make out just so he had an excuse to kiss her.
Inwardly, he chastised himself. He didn’t need to be thinking like that. Sadie Baylor would never be into someone like him. Plus, with him offering to hire her company, it wouldn’t be professional either. She needed better than that from him.
She set her elbow on the table and palmed her forehead. “I hate this. It feels like I’m using you.” She lifted her head, and her gaze met his. “You have to be a great guy.” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t even ask if you had a girlfriend! Oh my gosh. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Yeah, but if I’d had a girlfriend and gone along with you, I’d be a jerk.”
