Nina Cox Must Date (Girl Power Series)

Chapter 10 - Xander

I roll my pants for what must be the third time in an hour. I seem to be a static magnet for Batman and Joker's hair. I usually don't care, but I'm hoping that things work out with Xander. We have so much in common that it's ridiculous. Well, that is at least from what I read in his profile. Because he is Dungeons and Dragons role player, I have come up with a fun way to get to know each other. I hope that he appreciates it and I don't end up coming across again as weird.

Taking a last look in the mirror, I grab my keys and drive to the restaurant where we are meeting. After the unfortunate date with Jett at Waka Grill, I've decided to steer away from my favorite place in case it goes wrong again. Although, I don't think that I can sink lower than my date with Remus.

I spot him immediately as I arrive. He is leaning on the wall next to the entrance while looking at his phone. Damn! He is even cuter than in his pictures and also looks... younger. I take out my phone and go again to his profile. It is the same guy. Okay, I should keep an open mind. Maybe he only looks young.

"Xander?"

The guy lifts his gaze from his phone and gives me a crooked smile. His black hair could use a good haircut, but his puppy brown eyes and button nose make up for the rest. He looks harmless and adorable.

"Nina!" he says and gives me a hug.

So he is affectionate. Usually, I shake hands or kiss on the cheek with a date. It's alright; I can get used to the hugs.

"Should we head inside?" I say, trying to unglue myself from his arms.

"Yeah, totally," he says.

The place is an informal restaurant, and I feel immediately at ease. Xander sits in the booth next to me. A sassy waitress with too many pins in her shirt takes our order and leave us alone.

"Thanks for accepting to go on a date with me. I haven't had much luck with my profile," Xander says.

"Really? Why is that?" I ask, feeling a bit relieved that I'm not the only one with dating problems.

"My looks, my hobbies, my job; do I need to go on?" he says and smiles.

"What is wrong about those?" I ask, fearing the answer.

"For starters, I look as if I'm 18 years old when I'm 26," he says, and I breathe with relief. He is only two years younger than me. "I have all these geeky hobbies like role playing and collecting comics. Some people think that I don't want to grow up. That is until they find out that I'm a junior lawyer and then find me a bore,"

I start laughing. He looks at me with curiosity.

"You are describing my life! I had an idea since you like role playing. Well, you like D&D and I don't even have the proper dice. It is a lame idea. Never mind. I didn't think this through," I say, feeling a bit embarrassed at my stupid plan.

Xander places his arm over my shoulders, and it feels nice. He looks at me with those darling eyes, and I melt a bit inside.

"Share it with me," he says.

"Uh... ha, ha... okay," I say, feeling like a teenager in front of her crush. I take out a paper and two plain dices from my purse. "The idea is to roll the dices and depending on the combination we have to answer a question from this list," I say, pushing a paper towards Xander.

"Sounds fun. Ladies first," he says, handing me the dice.

I roll them and get a five and a two.

"Alright. What is your favorite place to go shopping?" Xander reads.

"The supermarket," I say, making him laugh. "I also shop a lot on eBay for my store, but that isn't for myself. I buy clothes maybe once a year to the dismay of my sister. Oh and I'm a sucker for craft markets and country fairs. I always find something that I didn't know I wanted,"

"Those places are gold mines at times. I have found vintage comics for a few dollars worth a lot. Okay, my turn... two fours,"

"Tell me something that you don't like to do," I read from the paper.

"I hate wearing clothes to sleep. They strangle me. Naked is the way to go. Handy as well when you want to do the naughty," Xander says, wriggling his eyebrows. "Oh, and I dislike washing dishes,"

"Who doesn't?" I say and realize that I'm the opposite on the sleeping issue. I wear fuzzy pajamas and even socks to sleep.

The waitress brings our food and we continue playing the game. I get a three and a one in the dices.

"Tell me about your last holiday," Xander says.

"I've been busy with my store, so I haven't taken one in a few years. The last time, Taylor and I went theme park hopping, and it was so much fun. He is in a wheelchair so we didn't have to make the queue and could do many rides over and over,"

"I'm sorry to hear that your brother is in a wheelchair," he says, cupping my face and caressing my cheek with his thumb.

I remember what Dad and Elijah said about bringing up Taylor and how it could sabotage the chance of a relationship, so I keep my mouth shut.

"Okay, my turn," Xander says after polishing his pasta plate. "Two and six. What is my favorite food? That is an easy one. Any pasta. I'm also very fond of licking whipped cream," he says in my ear while placing his hand on my thigh. It makes me shudder and not in a good way.

"I'm next!" I say louder than necessary after he leaves a small kiss on my jaw. "One and a five,"

I hold the paper and my eyes widen at the prompt. Why did I even write that?

"Talk about a friend," Xander reads out loud.

I don't know what to say. I must look like a fish opening and closing my mouth while no words come out.

"Don't you have friends?" he asks in a concerned tone.

"I do. One,"

"Okay, better to have one good friend than a bunch that sucks. What's her name?"

"Taylor," I say, playing with one of the stray fries on my plate.

"That's sweet that you are friends with your brother,"

"I don't go out much," I say and feel saved when the waitress comes to pick our plates. Now I don't need to elaborate on the lie.

"One more roll," Xander says. "Six and three. Ask any question,"

He looks at me in a weird way. I feel like running, but I'm sitting in the inside part of the booth.

"Would you like to have dessert at my house? I have whipped cream, and after we shed these uncomfortable clothes I can rock your world,"

No! No way! I just met him!

"I need to pee!" I blurt.

"Oh, okay," he says, moving so that I can get out. "I'll be waiting for you," he says in what he thinks is a sexy voice after kissing my hand.

I walk to the bathroom but then change my mind quickly and head to the exit.