Chapter 149

Julia noticed Xavier's scheme, but she didn't call him out on it. It wasn't until his head rested against her shoulder that she glanced down. He leaned on her with the quiet dependence of a baby bird. When she looked at him, his eyes held both nervousness and a hint of grievance. She pretended not to notice and instead picked up a strawberry and took a bite. His eyes lit up for a second, and he pressed closer, afraid she might push him away at any moment. For once, the atmosphere was calm, and Julia's attention wasn't on him. She ate a few of the large, sweet strawberries he had carefully picked out for her while reviewing the documents on her computer. Suddenly, she felt a weight on her lap. Looking down, she saw Xavier sprawled across her legs, clutching a card with a gold star on it. He was already fast asleep. Xavier looked very much like Sebastian, and even more so when he was asleep. Right now, he was lying there quietly. His long, dark lashes were like tiny brushes, and h