What He's Been Missing

“Fine, Xav. Well, thank you for helping me out earlier,” I said as kindly as I could. I actually felt a little bad that my voice sounded so glum. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m just a little confused. This is the second time I’m opening my door and you’re standing here. I’m just wondering what you want.”

“I want to make sure you’re OK.”

“Please. I doubt Mr. All About Me cares about how I’m doing.”

“ ‘All About Me’ was just a little name some girls on campus gave me. I had nothing to do with it,” he replied and it was such a lie we both laughed.

“Xav, you had that shit sewn into your sheets,” I pointed out.

“Someone gave those to me.”

“It’s tattooed on your back!”

“Damn! You got me!” he said, looking like he’d just lost a bet.

I giggled at his breakdown and he pinched my cheek.

“Made you laugh,” he said gently.

“Yeah, you did.”

“I really did want to make sure you’re OK. I can’t have you up in the wedding crying like we’re at a funeral.”

“How’s Ian?”

“He’s fine. The brothers have his back.” Xavier popped his collar a little. “And now I believe one of those brothers would like to escort you to the bridal suite.” He held out his elbow for me to latch on.

“Escort me?”

“Yes, Mi Lady,” he said in an English accent. “Shall we?”

“You’re too much,” I answered, holding on to him.

Krista had just finished prepping the bridesmaids when Xavier and I got to the suite. She was walking out with empty bottles of wine in her arms.

“Guess I didn’t need to stop at the bar,” I said.

“It’s like a sorority house in there,” Krista said. “Those chicks are wild.”

“Let me take those.” Xavier took the bottles from Krista’s arms.

“You should’ve let the hotel staff pick these up,” I said.

“I was afraid one of the girls would knock a bottle over and crack her head open.”

“They’re that bad? Probably a runover from last night. Look, go and order two carafes of coffee. We can’t have them wobbling down the aisles,” I ordered.

“I already did that, boss lady.”

“Hum . . .” I nodded at Krista. “And where’s your bride?”

“Hair and makeup. She’ll be down in five minutes.” Krista poked out her hip and crossed her arms dramatically. “Anything else?”

“No. Looks like you’re on a roll. I’m scared of you.”

Xavier pushed the suite door open with his free arm.

“I’m gonna walk her downstairs to get rid of these bottles,” he said as if it was his duty in some way to inform me of where he was going. “See you later.”