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Even though Xylia was sure Tessa couldn’t really get to Joshua, she still told him exactly what Tessa had said when they met.
“I know Tessa doesn’t have what it takes to mess with you, but she’s sly and calcting. Just watch your back when you’re dealing with anyone these days,” Xylia warned him.
They were strolling hand in hand through the streets.
Joshua nced at Xylia, his eyes filled with yful teasing.
Joshua teased, “My baby’s really looking out for me these days, huh?”
Xylia had grown immune to his constant sweet–talk and flirty nicknames.
She lightly tapped Joshua’s arm. “Be serious,” Xylia said.
Joshua let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Rx–anyone I’m up against isn’t this basic.”
Xylia widened her eyes at him. “So, do you really have a lot of powerful rivals?”
Joshua’s smile grew even more yful, clearly amused.
“Not really. Now that my old man’s running thepany, he takes care of most of the seriouspetition himself.”
Xylia justughed.
That day, Norhill Expo was hosting a fashion show.
Joshua managed to score two tickets and nned to take Xylia with him.
When they got to the expo entrance and saw there was plenty of time left, they decided to wander around for a bit.
Just behind the expo, there was a park nestled against the mountains.
Since Xylia was still in recovery, Joshua made sure not to walk too far with her.
The sky was crystal clear, with soft sunlight warming everything around.
Joshua asked, “Are you tired?<b>” </b>
Xylia shook her head,
“I’m good.”
Joshua noticed a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead. He moved down a <b>step </b>and crouched a bit.
<b>10:08 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>
“Come on, let me carry you,” he offered.
“No, really, I’m fine,” Xylia replied.
It wasn’t much further, and Xylia figured she could handle it.
“Don’t overdo it–you’re still supposed to be taking it easy,” Joshua reminded her.
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Xylia nced around at the people scattered nearby, suddenly feeling shy with so many eyes around.
She stepped forward, reaching out to take Joshua’s hand.
“Seriously, you don’t need to,” Xylia said. “Let’s just keep moving.”
Joshua clicked his tongue, then without warning, bent down and swept Xylia right off her feet, carrying her bridal style.
Xylia gasped, instantly grabbing hold of his neck, her face and ears turning crimson. ‘Oh no–this is so embarrassing, everyone’s watching!‘ she panicked inwardly.
“Put me down!” Xylia blurted out, flustered.
Joshua just hugged her even closer, striding effortlessly down the steps.
“The doctor said you’re supposed to take it easy after surgery. But hey, if you’re itching for that wheelchair again, I can always put you down,” he teased.
Joshua never missed a chance to tease with a fake threat.
Xylia stopped making <i>a </i>fuss, but getting carried around bridal–style was honestly too much–her cheeks were burning.
“Just let me down and give me a piggyback instead,” she mumbled.
She said it in a small voice.
Joshua couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips when he saw her ears so red they were practically glowing.
He set Xylia down and squatted in front of her, inviting her to hop on.
Xylia scrambled onto his back, and Joshua grabbed her legs, hoisting her up with ease.
They’d only gone a few steps down when Joshua suddenly blurted out, “Xylia, you really need to eat more, seriously.”
Xylia<b>, </b>thinking he was making fun of her yet again, gave his back a good p. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
she huffed.
“I mean, you’re way too light. Being this skinny just isn’t healthy,” Joshua shot back, totally matter–of–fact.
Joshua said it so sincerely.
<b>10:08 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>
Xylia realized she’d totally misread him.
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She looped her arms around his neck, teasing him, “Isn’t that what guys always go for–skinny girls?”
“You men?” Xylia teased, but Joshua’s voice came back low and clipped, each word almost bitten off.
Xylia instantly realized her words had another meaning. Now that she was with Joshua, mentioning other men–even jokingly–was almost like bringing up Connor again.
She bit her lip, not quite sure what to say.
“You’re reallyparing me to thoseme, shallow guys?” Joshua shot back, his toneced with annoyance.
Xylia turned her head to nce at him, a trace of surprise flickering across her eyes.
‘Wait… That’s what he’s actually upset about?‘ Xylia realized, taken aback.
She buried her face in his shoulder, her wordsing out soft and muffled. “I didn’t say that.”
Joshua’s voice softened. “Whether you’re thin or curvy, as long as you’re healthy, that’s all I care about.”
Xylia couldn’t help but think back to the days after she’d had Sonny–for so long, she’d starved herself and pushed her limits, terrified that Connor would find her disgusting. That period of her life had been downright miserable.
Just remembering it now made her chest ache a little.
She hugged Joshua tighter, her words heartfelt. “You’re so good to me.”
And she really meant it.
After a solid month of hard work, everyone at Xylic Studio finally wrapped up the staff uniform order for Garcia Group.
The order waspleted without a hitch.
When the final payment from Garcia Group came through, Xylia generously handed out bonuses to every employee.
She was nning to eat by herself, but Joshua and Henry turned up out of nowhere.
“Dinner’s on <i>me </i>tonight!” Joshua announced, making a grand gesture. “Everyone from Xylic Studio and Payton Manufacturing is invited!”
Joshua made an extravagant show of waving everyone in.
Everyone was thrilled.
Not everyone from Payton Manufacturing could make it, but a few alumni from Payton’s school who weren’t
<b>Sal</b><b>, </b>
busy dropped by.
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After handing over the samples to Henry, Xylia had personally gone to the factory, so she already knew most of the people who came by.
They were all from the same school, and they knew Joshua pretty well too.
As soon as they walked into the restaurant, the teasing started.
“Joshua was famous for being totally uninterested in girls back in college. He was one of the real legends–his romantic record waspletely nk!” one of the Payton crew joked as soon as they sat down.
Frank Lynch, Joshua’s old roommate, chimed in with a grin, “We all used to wonder who could ever get through to the untouchable Joshua. When we found out it was you, Xylia, that’s when we knew this guy only goes for the very best!”
Joshua shot his foot out, grinning. “Come on, ‘untouchable‘ doesn’t mean I’m some damn eunuch!”
Frank snorted, “Oh please, don’t tell me you forgot the time you tried out that eunuch kung fu!”
Joshua kicked him again, and the whole group burst outughing.
The atmosphere was buzzing withughter.
Xylia’s been running herself ragged these days.
With the designer contesting up in just two weeks, she’s got her hands full at Xylic Studio.
Her hands and feet were pretty much back to normal, but she still wasn’t totally satisfied with her design. The submission deadline was staring her down tomorrow night–yeah, she’d technically finished it, but she was second–guessing herself and really wanted to give it another round of checks.
By the time dinner wrapped up, Xylia had barely paid attention to her food, totally distracted.
Joshua picked up on Xylia’s exhaustion almost immediately.
He footed the bill and led Xylia out first<b>, </b>so the rest of the crew could finally kick back and really enjoy their food.
Xylia was happy to go. She knew some of the staff felt a little stiff with Joshua sitting there–now, with him gone, they’d loosen up a lot more.
Once they stepped out of the restaurant, Xylia told Joshua to just take her home.
But Joshua had other ns–he led her straight to a show venue instead.
He had a quick word with one of the staff, and soon enough, they were ushered through <b>a </b>side hallway and straight inside the venue.
“Seriously, what are we doing here?” Xylia blurted out, a puzzled look on her face.
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Watching a show was thest thing on her mind tonight–she just wanted to hurry home and double–check her drafts onest time.
Joshua wrapped his arm around her and led her right to a spot with a picture–perfect view of the runway, so they could catch everyst detail on the models.
He kept her close, his hold just a bit too tight–obviously making sure she couldn’t slip away, even if she wanted to.
Xylia couldn’t help but feel a little irritated.
Joshua gave her a gentle look. “You’ve been carrying way too much stresstely, Xylia. Come on, just rx a little–let’s watch the show, take your mind off things for a bit.”
“Stress is what pushes me forward. Seriously, I don’t want to watch any show right now,” Xylia replied, a stubborn edge in her voice.
Xylia was stubborn as ever, determined to stick to her n.
Joshua looked down at her, his expression softening. He gave her wrist a gentle squeeze.
“Seriously, Xylia, with creative work? If you let the pressure get to you, the soul of your art just disappears,” he said in a gentle, steady voice.