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X sucks back the last of his spiked java, then motions for another. “And I should know no later than Wednesday if I have a long-lost family, so we might have that to celebrate soon.”
“You submitted a DNA sample?”
“Yeah. Why not? If we’re not family, no harm, no foul.” He shrugs.
“Do you know anything about them?” Echo asks.
“Nothing except that they’re well aware Daddy couldn’t keep it in his pants.”
“Oh, maybe he and my dad were pals,” I quip. “They had that in common.”
And given Xavian’s track record with women, I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns out to be this womanizing bastard’s son. After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Right?” X shrugs. “If this pans out, I guess the family will tell me more. Until then, I’m waiting.”
“Whatever happens, I hope you’re happy with the outcome,” Echo murmurs.
“Thanks.”
“Hey,” I call to her as she sips more of her fruity drink. “How did the interview go?”
“Oh, really good. If I get the job, I’ll be working as the social media manager for a nonprofit that helps solicit gently used play equipment and other donations for at-risk kids. It’s a little organization and it probably doesn’t pay shit.” She gives me a self-deprecating grin. “But you know me.”
I do. “It’s meaningful work that sounds right up your alley.”
“Exactly. It won’t be like work at all. I think there’s a good chance I got the job. Bruce Henderson, the guy who runs the place with his wife, Fay, said an organization like this helped him stay off the streets and out of gangs as a teenager growing up in one of the rougher parts of LA. They’re both retired lawyers now, and they’re dedicating their lives to making the city a better place.”
“That’s fantastic.” Xavian hugs her before I can.
The second he pulls away, I toss him a glare. How the hell is Echo supposed to stop thinking about having sex with him if he won’t stay out of her grill?
X shrugs, then reaches for his second cup of spiked coffee as the bartender slides it his way.
I turn back to Echo, who’s peeling off a familiar oversize beige cardigan to reveal a gauzy blue dress that ties around her neck—and a V that plunges to her waist.
My eyes go wide. Echo has cleavage? Yeah, lots of it. I knew she had boobs. I just hadn’t really looked at them before.
Kind of hard not to now. Her curves are so…curvy, it’s hard to look away.
Slam the brakes on that train of thought, buddy. Quick.
“Congratulations,” I finally manage, giving her the briefest hug possible. “Will they call you this coming week?”
“Probably. I mean, I’m not taking anything for granted, but they’re in a hurry to fill the vacancy left by a woman who just had her second baby and decided to stay home with her kids. And”—she sends me a stilted smile—“I’m hoping it doesn’t become an issue, but Fay liked me so much, she tried to persuade me to go out with her son. I didn’t want to insult her, but I was eager to end any expectation that I would date where I work, so…I told them you’re my boyfriend. Sorry. It happened so fast. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“That’s fine, shortcake. I’ll come to your rescue if you need it.”
She looks relieved. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” I keep my stare pointedly on her face, looking into her golden brown eyes so my gaze can’t stray to the soft swells of her breasts spilling from the plunging front of her sundress.
She’s got to be wearing all this revealing shit to tempt Xavian. That isn’t entirely his fault…but I still want to punch him in the face.
An hour later, I’m relieved to help Echo back into her cardigan before she boards the plane. Seeing so much of what I’m convinced are healthy D-cups has me on edge.
The company bought first-class tickets for X and me, and I refused to make Echo ride back in steerage, so I splurged to grab her the seat next to mine. Xavian is directly behind me. Once we take off, the drinks will flow and the party will be officially underway.
Except when we board, the flight attendant approaches Echo to ask if she’d move to the seat behind her—the one beside Xavian. I tell the woman wearing a blue polyester skirt and an indifferent expression that Echo and I are traveling together. She merely shrugs and says her hands are tied.
Echo sends me a sad, if apologetic, stare, then sinks down next to the guy she begged to take her V-card. Thirty seconds later, a dude in a suit plops in her seat, looking watchful and exacting. If he’s not some bigwig with the airline, then I’m not an investment portfolio manager.
The flight drags on forever. I try to watch movies, but I’m keenly aware of X and Echo talking nonstop behind me. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but she’s tossed off her sweater again and leans close to him. And there’s her cleavage, which he’s not even trying not to look at.
