Page 24 of A Geek Girl's Guide to Kissing a Video Gamer
Jamison approached them and shook their hands. This time he’d ditched the snazzy suit for jeans and a polo. He was a little taller than Xavier with dark-brown eyes and close-cropped dark hair. “Absolutely. If the smell is any indication of the food, it’s going to be delicious.”
Now that he’d mentioned it, Sadie couldn’t agree more. Her mouth watered as the aroma of food floated in the air. “Oh, yeah,” she said, her stomach grumbling.
Funny, she was more embarrassed by her loud stomach than by kissing Xavier in the parking lot and getting caught by a potential client. Not that she would change a thing. All other kisses would be judged against that kiss from this point forward.
Then she remembered Buck’s words and how Xavier had responded. She knew he was sincere when he said everything was fine, and maybe it would be, for a while. Eventually, though, questions would arise, and she couldn’t handle another broken heart. Perhaps the best course of action was to enjoy her time with Xavier while they were in Florida and keep to her original plan. She’d get her life together and then think about a relationship. Maybe. After she was over Xavier. If that was possible.
Chapter 16
As discreetly as Xavier could, he glanced down at his feet, absolutely positive they were blasted off or at least smoking. Kissing Sadie was downright earth-shattering. It was the best kiss he’d ever experienced, but it made his heart ache too.
He’d tried to deny that Buck’s words hadn’t hit him square in the chest, but they had, and he’d ruminated on it enough to call a childhood friend who was a private investigator. In his mind, it was valid and understandable based on what happened with Kim. Had Sadie been using him? It did seem rather convenient that she’d hooked him in the arm and claimed him as her boyfriend. Had she recognized his voice? It was possible since they’d attended many of the same after-parties.
She’d also given him a way out from the very beginning, and multiple times since then. It was him sticking by her. He couldn’t even say she was pulling him into it. He was voluntarily going along. Even so, he wasn’t calling off the investigator. If nothing else, it would give him peace of mind. Maybe.
His stomach rumbled as the whiff of food hit him. The hotel bagel had worn off hours ago. “Apparently, I’m hungry too.”
“I haven’t eaten since breakfast,” Jamison replied. “I think just about anything sounds good, which means I’ll have to come back to make sure it’s good or not.”
They walked to the restaurant, and Xavier held the door for Sadie, following her in with Jamison in tow. It smelled even better inside.
A waiter called out, “Seat yourselves. Someone will be right over to get your drink orders.”
“I like this.” Jamison looked around as they weaved through tables to an empty booth. “It’s casual and homey.”
“Me too,” Xavier said as he slid into the same side as Sadie. “This place is cool.”
Various license plates and old gasoline signs were mixed in with old game controllers nailed to the wall. A little note hung on the wall that said,Bring in a controller and get 20% off.
Jamison continued craning his neck as he looked around the restaurant. “This is cool. I need to bring a controller the next time I come back.”
“Uh, yeah, my old ones mostly sit in a box in my spare bedroom,” Sadie replied. “I usually try fixing them, but sometimes they’re just done.”
Chuckling, Xavier nodded. “I have some too.”
A waitress stopped by their table and took their drink orders, leaving them with a couple of handheld chalkboards listing all their daily specials.
Jamison kept his eyes on the chalkboard. “I can see why my friend said I needed to come here. It’s a good kind of different.”
“I’m glad you invited us.” Xavier ran through the menu options in his head. Melt-Your-Face Jalapeño-Habanero Cheeseburger of Death. Drenched Chili-Cheese Fries. Tabasco Gator Tail Bites. Crying-Heartburn-of-Torture Onion Rings. Then there was a list of safer, more familiar fare, like cheeseburgers, mozzarella sticks, and fried crab-stuffed mushroom caps.
Jamison cleared his throat. “Those are some, uh, interesting names. I like heat, but Melt-Your-Face Burger of Death? That sounds painful.”
“It sounds delicious,” Sadie replied.
Xavier leaned back and looked at her. “You mean that sounds good to you?” He pulled at his collar a little. “My face melted just reading it.”
Jamison laughed. “I will be nothing but impressed if you eat that burger.”
Sadie caught her bottom lip in her teeth and grinned. “How about if I finish it, you sign with Empire Designs for your illustrations?”
“And if you don’t?” Jamison asked.
She narrowed her eyes. “I’ll finish it if it takes all night.”
He held out his hand. “It’s a deal.”
They shook on it, and the way she beamed made her all the more attractive to Xavier. He brought his attention back to Jamison. “What made you want a video game company anyway?” he asked.
