Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“What movie do you have in mind?” I asked as I slid down from the barstool and shook out my stiff legs. This had been a long day. Most days with Xavier were, but they never felt like a chore.
“Today I thought we could go for a classic. Alien,” Xavier said, cocking an eyebrow challengingly.
“Alien?”
“Or is it too bloody for you?”
I snorted and patted his shoulder. “Bloody is right up my alley, as you should know by now.”
“Still difficult to believe there’s a woman out there who doesn’t enjoy dramas and chick-flicks.”
“I resent that name,” I muttered. “And I have enjoyed the occasional drama or chick-flick, like The Color Purple or The Devil Wears Prada, but I prefer action to sappy romance or tearjerkers.” I pulled my sweater over my head because it was simply too warm. Xavier’s eyes scanned my tank top and I resisted the urge to cover up again.
Xavier shook his head again, watching me with an expression I had trouble reading. Deciding not to bother before I ended up misinterpreting it, I grabbed a bottle of water and moved toward the sofa where I made myself comfortable.
“What’s for dinner, honey?” I piped as I threw my nylons-clad feet up on Xavier’s table.
Xavier shook his head, but the same strange expression remained on his face. “How about burgers?”
“Sure. I’m taking whatever you’re having,” I called, then turned the TV on.
Xavier, of course, didn’t order just any kind of burger. He ordered a keto-friendly burger without bread with a side of avocado fries and salad from some organic café around the corner. He came over with the low-carb non-alcoholic beer I’d grown used to when I was in his apartment. Craft beers were almost never allowed in his strict diet, much to my disappointment.
“Of the two of us, I eat like the man,” I muttered, accepting the bottle from him.
Xavier chuckled. “I need to reduce my carb intake and up my protein if I don’t want to sport a paunch soon.” He clapped the six-pack that even his shirt couldn’t hide.
I narrowed my eyes. “Yeah, you’re really getting plump around the middle.” I shook my head. “Just so you know, I’m offended on behalf of all less than perfect people on this planet.”
Xavier sat down beside me, his arm brushing mine. “First of all, my body is my capital. And second, you are perfect in your own way.”
I paused with the bottle against my mouth, my eyes darting to him. Had he really just said that? And what the hell did it mean?
Xavier was frowning at the TV as he searched for the movie. How could he just return to acting normal after saying something like that? He could go right back to screwing random girls after kissing me, so why was I even surprised?
He started the movie, and soon any kind of awkwardness was forgotten. “That’s my favorite scene!” I gushed when the first alien burst out of a chest, splattering blood everywhere.
Xavier closed his eyes with his deep rumble of laughter. “Evie, something’s seriously wrong with you.”
“What?” I said, only half offended. “You were the one who suggested we watch Alien.”
His eyes opened, full of amusement and warmth. “How many times have you watched the series?”
“The first three movies about ten times each, the others only once. They aren’t as good as the old movies if you ask me, and don’t get me started on Alien vs. Predator.”
Xavier nodded, but I wasn’t even sure he had listened to a word I’d said. His eyes lowered to my mouth, but the ringing of the doorbell spared us another misfortune. I paused the movie while Xavier headed for the door to get our food. He returned a couple of minutes later with the compostable food bags that contained equally compostable boxes with our burgers.
Only the salad was served in a plastic box, but that too was probably biodegradable to some degree. I shook my head with a small smile. Xavier handed me my box. The two meat patties were sandwiched in grilled portobello mushroom halves. “To think that I’d ever eat burgers without bread,” I murmured as I took a big bite.
Xavier had already wolfed down half of his burger, plus it was already his second burger. “Admit it, they are delicious.”
“They are,” I agreed, “but I still like bread.”
“I like bread too, but it’s full of empty carbs and doesn’t sustain the body for long.”
I fell back against the backrest and groaned. “You and Fiona could have been the dream couple if you didn’t hate each other’s guts so much.”
“I don’t hate her guts. She’s annoying. And I don’t want your sister. We don’t have anything in common except for our dietary convictions.”
I took another bite from the burger, then snatched up an avocado stick and dipped it in the spicy dip. “That’s more than many other couples do.”