Crazy Love

Chapter 2-3

As they walked side by side on the sidewalk, passing coffee shops and bars, Billy could sense that Xavier was nervous or shy, and he wondered, What did Xavier really want?

Friendship or something more?

“We could go right across the street there,” Xavier said, nodding his head at the crowded diner with the neon sign on the other side of the street. It was an old looking restaurant with a bright red marquis. “Have you ever had their Lyonnaise poutine?” His onyx eyes were full of heat, but as Xavier moved a little closer to Billy, he kept his hands safely hidden deep inside his pockets as though he was afraid to touch him. “Would that be okay?”

Had to stop analyzing Xavier’s every word and action. “I’d love to try that,” Billy said with a smile, “that, whatever you said.”

“Cool then. Let’s go.”

They crossed the street and entered the loud diner. The ambiance was fun and Billy loved the red leather booths. He slid into one and grabbed the huge menu. “This place is so classic. It looks like it’s been open since the dawn of time.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty old.” Xavier slid into the seat across from him and his knees knocked the table. “This whole neighborhood is classic. I mean, Saint-Laurent Street dates back to 1672—if I remember correctly. It ran north, straight from the old Champs-De-Mars fortifications.” Xavier glanced down at the menu. “Back when the French were still fighting with the…Iroquois. Before La Grande Paix, the great peace of 1701.”

“Wow. And how do you know all this?” Billy was impressed. All evening, Xavier had entertained him with these little history lessons. It was a side of Xavier he hadn’t expected. Xavier seemed to know a lot about Montreal and the foundation of the province.

But again, Xavier didn’t answer his question. “What are you gonna have?”

Billy read the menu. “Oh, I feel like going all Uma Thurman and getting a big vanilla shake with a fat cherry on top.”

“You like the movie Pulp Fiction?”

“Are you kidding? Yeah, I love it. I’m a big fan of the noir genre. Did you like it?”

“Not really. I didn’t get it. I thought that whole deconstruction of time was over the top.” Xavier glanced down at the menu. “But the soundtrack was all right. I think I liked Natural Born Killers better. So…what’s with the Mickey Mouse watch?” Xavier crinkled his eyes and snorted a little.

Billy instinctively touched his watch. “I won it in a cereal contest. Never won anything else in my life, so I keep it to remind me that it’s possible to get what you want sometimes.”

Xavier stared at him, the low hanging light dancing in his eyes. He nodded slowly and frowned, looking away and stretching his arm over the leather seat. What was he thinking of?

“How about you? Ever win anything?”

Xavier was watching someone. “Hell, no.”

Billy followed his stare and his heart sunk. Xavier was staring at the gorgeous and petite waitress bending over a table near the window. “She’s pretty.”

Xavier looked back at him and there was a slight flicker of surprise in his eyes. “You’re into girls, too?”

“No, but I have eyes. Is she your type?”

Xavier ran a hand over his face, his expression darkening. He leaned back against the seat, as if defeated or exasperated.

Billy tried to make eye contact with him. “Because—I mean, I’m not sure if we’re, uh, on a date or if we’re just two guys sharing a meal or—”

“Billy,” Xavier whispered, touching his foot with his under the table. He leaned forward. “I like you…a lot.”

“You guys ready?” the waitress asked, walking up to their table. It was the beauty queen Xavier had been checking out. She was even more perfect up close.

Xavier’s cheeks turned red as he babbled his order. “Double cheeseburger with extra bacon and a side of coleslaw. Please.”

“And you, Blondie?”

“Just a vanilla shake,” Billy said, handing her the menu. After she’d stepped away, he raised a brow at Xavier. “You lost your cool there for a minute,” he teased him.

“No, I didn’t. She just surprised me. Didn’t see her standing there.”

Billy bit his lower lip.

“Billy…is that short for William?”

“No. It’s just Billy.”

“Okay, Just Billy.” Xavier reached out and quickly touched Billy’s hand, then retracted. “I love your name.” He held Billy’s eyes with his stare. “And your smile.”

When the waitress brought their order, they were both gazing at each other and Billy was glad to see that Xavier didn’t pay the pretty girl any attention.