The last girl he’d dated turned out to be the worst kind. She’d fed him every line he’d ever wanted to hear: he was attractive, she loved that he wasn’t some over-exercised alpha male, and cuddling on the couch playing video games was her favorite pastime. Only it wasn’t. But he didn’t figure that out until he’d showered her with affection, along with more gifts than he should have. When it came time to put a ring on her finger, she suddenly didn’t see a future for them.
Served him right for believing all those lies. He’d been a nerd and only graduated to geek when his first game design went viral. Once that happened…well, nothing changed except he had money. Same with Harry and Griffin. They’d run in the same chess-club crowd since middle school.
With half the can downed, he meandered back into the living room. “Okay, I’m gonna get dressed. Don’t wait up for me. In fact, lock up when you leave.”
Xavier didn’t wait for an answer. He shuffled into his bedroom and shut the door. Hopefully, Sadie would show. Hopefully, she wouldn’t take one look and ditch him. And hopefully…well, he didn’t know.
She’d looked up at him with those deep brown eyes, and his life had flashed before his eyes. He wanted more. More than just weekend gaming fests. He wanted to love someone. Well, not just love them. He wanted to have his love returned.
Sadie was too cool for him, but it was time for a change. Why not start tonight?
Chapter 5
Sadie closed her eyes as she leaned her forehead against the steering wheel. Meeting Buck to discuss business went against the very core of her principles, and yet, there she was. Her stomach was twisted in a million different ways. On top of that, there was also the matter of the six-foot beaver.
“Honey, sittin’ in this car ain’t gonna get this meetin’ over with.” Poppy twisted in the seat and looked at her. “Let me tell you. Buck needs you, or he wouldn’t have set up this meeting. Dollars to donuts that man is hard up, and you’re his only hope.”
“Yeah, right.”
Poppy popped her on the arm. “I’m serious, Sadie. If things were so great, do you think he’d be comin’ around? I’ll wash your windows if I’m wrong.”
Wow. Poppy meant business. She’d rather replace a window than clean it. “What about the beaver?”
Snorting, Poppy shook her head. “I don’t know. If he’s not ugly as sin, then, hey, go with it.”
Rolling her eyes, Sadie laughed. “The last thing I need is a relationship. I need to get my business off the ground and lose the thirty pounds I’ve put on, and then I’ll be ready.”
Poppy huffed. “If you say so, but if a man don’t like me as is, then I don’t need him.” She fluffed her hair, flipped down the vanity mirror, and checked her face. “If you don’t want him and he’s cute, I’m going for it.” She slapped the visor up and pushed out of the car.
Sadie took a deep breath and got out, smoothing out her slacks. She was a confident, independent woman. Sure, Buck had broken her heart, but he hadn’t broken her spirit. Whoever the beaver dude was, she’d deal with that too. Sadie Baylor could tackle anything life threw at her. She pulled her shoulders back, lifted her head high, and marched across the parking lot to catch up with Poppy.
This was going to be great. She would show Buck just who he’d taken on. As the wind blew through her hair, she strutted toward the restaurant with renewed confidence asEye of the Tigerbegan to play in her mind. Yep, this was it.
She’d risen up. She was back on the street!
She’d done her time. Taken chances.
Sadie got toIt’sat the beginning of the chorus, and like something out ofMiss Congeniality, the record scratched, and she was going down, down, down. Before she hit the pavement, a pair of arms snaked out and wrapped around her waist, stopping her fall.
TheEye of the Tigerturned intoLoser.
“Whoa, there.” The deep male voice was somewhat familiar.
Once she was righted, she pushed her hair back from her face and said, “Thanks.” Her gaze traveled up to his face, and she gaped like a fish. Xavier Parker?
His eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled. “Hi.”
That voice definitely registered. “Beaver Guy?” The words rushed out.
“Yeah. Like I said, I kinda lost a bet.” His fingers brushed her skin where his hands still held her, sending a shiver up her spine.
“Oh. Uh.” The tingles racing over her skin short-circuited her brain. Or was it his cologne? He sure smelled good.
“Well, hello,” Poppy said. “I’m Poppy Boucher.” She grabbed Xavier’s hand and shook it.
The tingling didn’t lessen because he still had one hand on her elbow. When was the last time she’d felt that?
Sadie was in awe. Beaver Guy was Xavier Parker? Back when she was a gamer, his game was just taking off. During one of the last pro games she played, he introduced his newest and latest game. At the time, she thought he was adorable. Dark hair, clean-shaven, and totally cute. He wore thicker glasses then, was a little skinnier, and she didn’t remember his voice being as deep.
