Page 15 of A Geek Girl's Guide to Kissing a Video Gamer
“Well, you know why mine crashed and burned.”
Xavier sat back in his seat and buckled himself in as the plane began to taxi. “I was stupid and thought she loved me. I showered her with too many gifts and let things go when I shouldn’t have. When I asked her to marry me, she said no. But it was the rumors afterward that hurt.”
“Rumors?”
“That she never cared about me. She’d used me.”
Sadie touched his arm. “What a jerk. Good riddance. Well, that just settles it. I’ll find a way to pay you back for all this.”
His smile reached his eyes. “I got you into this, remember?”
“Yeah, but because I roped you into being my boyfriend in the first place, so, technically, it’s my fault.” And now that she knew someone had used him, she was more determined than ever to repay him. Not only had he gone along with it, but he’d bailed her out by footing the bill for the conference.
He caught her gaze and held it. “If I’m going to be roped in by someone, I want Sadie Baylor holding the rope.”
Heat rushed from her stomach up to the tips of her ears. “That’s very sweet.”
A bump jostled them as the plane took off, and she gripped the seat’s arms. “Whoa.”
“Are you afraid of flying?”
“No, just crashing.”
Xavier busted out laughing. “I’m assured the pilot is amazing. We’ll be fine.”
Sadie relaxed her grip as the plane lifted off and settled back in her seat. “The takeoff always gets me.”
He covered her hand with his. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Swallowing hard, her gaze dipped to his hand and back up. Whew. Those tingles were a tidal wave. “Thanks,” she managed to choke out.
“Okay,” he said, taking his hand away. “So, we covered how we met. Which was clever, by the way.” He smiled.
Geez, she loved his smile and wondered what it’d be like to kiss the lips that made that smile so incredible. Inwardly, she groaned. “Thanks.”
“I know you were a gamer, and a great one at that.”
“And you are a designer, and a great one at that.” She grinned.
His cheeks lit up again. Why did she get butterflies when he responded like that? He rubbed his chin with his fingers. “Where are you from? High school? Anything you want to tell, I’m all ears.”
“Well, I was a military brat until I started high school, and I finish my freshman year in Cross, South Carolina. Then we moved to Summerville and I was homeschooled. That’s how I got into gaming.” She paused. “How about you?”
He crossed his ankle over his knee. “I grew up in Dallas. My parents are still living in the same house I was raised in. I tried to get them to let me buy them something bigger, but they absolutely refused.”
“The offer was sweet.”
“I did convince them to let me do some remodeling, but yeah, my parents are low-key.”
“They must have done something right. You seem to have turned out pretty great.” She narrowed her eyes. “In fact, you’re a little too perfect. Why are you so perfect?”
Xavier laughed. “Whatever. How about you? Anything else I should know?”
“I love chocolate. Any and all things milk chocolate.”
“Well, who doesn’t?”
“What are your feelings onLord of the Rings?” She eyed him, a teasing challenge curving her lips.
