Zara's mind raced, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Xavier walking into the restaurant. She hadn't expected to run into him again, especially not here. The shock was evident in her wide eyes, and her gaze didn't leave him as he made his way toward the table.
Lila, ever the perceptive one, noticed the change in Zara's expression immediately. She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Do you know him?" she asked, her voice soft but full of intrigue.
Zara let out a sharp breath, trying to maintain her composure. "Know him?" she said, with a forced nonchalance. "He's the psychopath I've been telling you about... Xavier Steele."
Lila blinked in realization, her eyes widening. She let out a long, drawn-out "Ohhhhh," as if the pieces finally clicked together. "Wow, this is... awkward."
Zara couldn't help but let out a little laugh. *Awkward* was putting it mildly. She watched as Ethan, Lila's boyfriend, walked toward the table with Xavier in tow. As the two approached, Zara couldn't stop the scowl that briefly crossed her face. *This night was turning into exactly what I didn't need.*
Ethan led Xavier to the seat next to Zara, and he slid in with ease, looking as cool and collected as ever. Zara, of course, didn't want to let this opportunity slip by. She looked over at Ethan, feigning curiosity.
"So, how do you know this guy?" Zara asked, leaning slightly toward Ethan. "I'm really curious how anyone could *actually* be friends with him."
Before Ethan could open his mouth, Zara turned to Xavier, flashing him a mischievous grin. "You didn't tell me you had friends," she said, a teasing tone in her voice.
Ethan let out a laugh, clearly enjoying the banter. "They've been friends since childhood," he explained, shrugging. "Xavier and I... we've got a history. I'm one of the few people who understands him and his cold attitude."
Zara, without missing a beat, added, "Don't forget his mood swings." She winked, and the table erupted in laughter. Everyone except Xavier, that was.
Xavier just stared at her with his signature indifference, his gaze cold and unreadable. Zara wasn't deterred, though. She was used to pushing people's buttons, and Xavier was no different.
"You just love to stick out like a sore thumb, don't you?" Zara said, her voice light but sharp. She leaned toward him and playfully smacked his arm, as if he were one of her old friends. "Have a little humor," she told him with a wink.
For a split second, Xavier's stoic expression faltered, a flicker of something—maybe annoyance, maybe surprise—flashed in his eyes. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, his face still as cold as ever.
Ethan and Lila were both laughing, clearly enjoying the dynamic between the two. It was clear they had an easy camaraderie, but Xavier remained unmoved. Zara didn't mind. She was used to people who couldn't take a joke—especially people like Xavier Steele.