All's Fair in Love and Business: Xavier's Story

Ch. 15

Piper Keller

    Its been two days since I seen or talked to Xavier. I feel awful about what I said to him. Blame it on a long day and too many revelations, but I just had enough. I know I owe him an apology for saying what I did simply to hurt him, because I didn't mean them. I would never regret anytime we ever spent together and to say that I do, is a lie.

Eva called me yesterday curious as to why Xavier refuses to talk to her and I explained to her that I found out he had the breakup investigated, me investigated and he thought that she was involved with me finding out. It didn't take her long in coming to her own conclusions about, how the cat got out of the bag, poor Ruxin.

Liz came h0me form the hospital today, so I decided to let them settle in just the three of them. Aaron Jr. is simply perfect, Liz is a natural mother and Aaron is a doting father. To see them together just sets my clock ticking more loudly in my mind.

Wasting time at the dinning room table drinking my third cup of coffee, I groan, "Okay, let's get this over with." I say to myself grabbing my keys and purse I head for the door.

    Driving to his place I think of a thousand reasons I should turn around, but keep telling myself, right is right and wrong is wrong. I definitely did wrong, not that he didn't, but what I did was ugly and deliberate. I park the car in the driveway. I see his car is in the garage, he's home. I take a deep breath, walk to the door and ring the doorbell.

Moments later Xavier comes to the door on the phone I hear him say, just send them. As soon as he looks up from the papers in his hand I see the surprise on his face. "Hey, do you have a minute?" I ask.

He nods, "Yes." Opening the door wide so I can come in.

Knowing thats not a good idea I shake my head. "I just want to apologize for the other day. I said things that are untrue and harsh."

"Did you mean what you said?" He questions, readily.

"No, most of what I said was to hurt you. I was angry, hungry, tired and mentally exhausted but its still inexcusable how
I spoke to you." I state, feeling genuinely bad. He doesn't respond, just watches me, I won't beg for him to accept my apology and maybe he's just not ready to forgive me. "Okay, have a great day." I say, walking back to my car.

Driving back home I feel better about what happened, it has been weighing on my mind since it happened.
Pulling into my driveway I see two vans, with Vicky's Flowers painted on the sides. "Can I help you." I ask, the man standing on my front porch.

"We have a delivery for, Pip Keller." He responds.

"Thats me." I reply, suspiciously. What is Xavier up to? He's the only one that calls me, Pip. I watch the man motion to the second man sitting in the van and he gets out carrying a huge vase of flowers, I can't even see his face or most of his body from behind them. "Thank you." I say to him about to take the vase.

"Ma'am there are about twenty more of these and they weight a lot. Where would you like them?" He asks, clearly struggling under the weight of it.

"Twenty!" I shout, turning to unlock the door as quickly as possible.

"Yes, ma'am."

I hold the door as they unload the flowers setting them wherever they could find space. I tip them generously before they leave. My house looks like a florist shop, and it smell like one too. Not wanting to talk to Xavier but wondering if this was a sign he forgives me for lashing out at him the other day, I decide to text him.

Got the flowers, thanks. They're lovely. Does this mean you accept my apology?

No. I look at the response confused. Okay, what the hell does that mean?

No? I ask, unable to stop myself. I watch my phone for over a minute and he doesn't respond. I roll my eyes at the absurdity of it all. He wronged me as well, this is a two way street. Not that I can honestly picture Xavier groveling, but a little consideration about what was happening at the time of my blow up would be nice.

    I turn on some music and start doing the dishes in the kitchen, when I'm done with that I start to arrange the flowers in places that seem more appropriate. There are just so many, I start putting them in the bedrooms and even in the
master bathroom. When I come down the hallway I see Xavier standing inside my house, looking straight at me.

"Hello, what are you doing here?" I ask, feeling awkward having him at my home.

"I knocked on the door, you didn't answer." He explains. "I might've sent too many." He grins.

"You think?" I ask, sarcastically. "You must be used to sending flowers to girls with bigger houses. I had to put some in
the bathroom."

"You, my mother and the occasional funeral are the only people I've ever sent flowers to." He replies, stiffly.

"I didn't mean it as a dig." I tell him, hearing the defensiveness in his voice. "Come in. Do you want some coffee or tea?"

"Coffee." He answers, walking into my house. I forget how tall he is, seeing him in my home is a reminder. I have a old craftsman style home, its small with intricate woodwork but the ceilings are not soaring like the ones in his home.

I motion for him to take a seat at the table and fill him a cup of coffee and pick up a plate of cinnamon rolls I indulged in this morning. I slide both in front of him as I busy myself making tea for me. "I thought I wasn't forgiven." I say, heating the kettle on the stove.

"There was nothing to forgive."

I turn to him surprised. "I think there was."

"I knew you didn't mean it. I could tell you have a rough day and my admission was just too much. I should've left." He says, taking some of the blame.

"Thanks for seeing my side of things, but it was still awful to say to someone. So, what were the flowers for then?"

"You're forgiveness, actually." He chuckles.

I laugh. "For the misunderstanding of our breakup and thinking I slept with your brother? Or the hired detective to find out about me and what happened that night?"

"All of the above." He replies, looking ashamed.

I nod. "Okay, we both suck." I mutter, smiling.

"Let me make it up to you. Please." He begs, his eyes earnest.

"Xavier, I don't want to rush into anything." I remind him.

"Let me cook dinner for you tonight."

"I don't know. The last few times at your house we didn't take in anywhere near the realm of slow."

"I promise to be on my best behavior." He offers.

I narrow my eyes at his promise. "Best behavior for you would be to make it to the bedroom instead of the door."

He growns. "Don't bring that up, or I won't be responsible for my actions." He warns, shifting in his chair.

"I'm not worried. There's no space for you to do anything around here." I reply, cheekily. Pointing to the vases littering all available surface area.

"Is that a challenge? Because the way I'm feeling right now, the floor is looking mighty good to me."

I laugh. "No challenge." I reply, ignoring the feeling of excitement his tone elicits.

"Dinner then?"

I nod, "Okay, but no funny stuff." He smirks. "I mean it." I state, seriously.

"Pip, I already promised you my best behavior." He states, smiling.

"And I told you where you could shove your, best behavior. I want your word." I respond, not budging until I get it.

He scowls and I know I have him. I'm not stupid, I know exactly why he wants me at his house. On his turf he can make all the moves, dinner and seduction. I've been through this with him before.

"You have my word." He finally relents.

"Thank you."  I reply, happily.