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romance. Granted , the deep things that I portray on camera are about love, but it's not realistic. That love doesn't exist; well, maybe back in the forties, but in this day in age, everyone is always in love with someone else or just marrying for the obvious reasons. Money, pregnancy, security, or even lust. The love may be there, but it's not strong enough to keep them together." That was the harsh reality Xander believed in, but it wasn't the conversation he wanted to be having. He wanted Shalaine naked and for her to forget about all this love nonsense that had broken her heart to begin with. "I mean, take your situation for example. Your ex cheated. You shouldn't even believe in love."
    Shalaine chewed on the corner of her bottom lip. "Love exists in everyone. It's like a lock and key; only certain ones go together. Once they connect, the door is always open. I guess that's what I keep telling myself about this whole thing with my ex. He and I weren't the same pair. So that's why I believe if someone is in love with someone else, they found their lock or key."
    "So that justifies adultery?" Xander asked before taking a sip of warm coffee.
    "No, I think if the people are truly meant to be together, they should be responsible and let their significant other go on about their lives. I'm glad Nathan told me, because if we married and we weren't a matching pair, I'd hate to miss my key for him. For all I know, the other woman could be his lock." She smiled, but it was a little hurt. There was no way he planned to screw her when she was talking about infinite lock and keys. Perhaps being the rebound guy might not be the best angle. At this moment, Shalaine just needed a friend. Friend he could do. It would suck because Xander Christian usually screwed all his chick friends before placing them in the friend category and a small vibe in his heart didn't want to place Shalaine in a category. That thought bothered him too.
    " Shalaine, why did you and Nathan break up? Did he give you a reason why he cheated?"
    She was silent for a long moment but finally spoke, "He said I wasn't there and that our relationship had been based on phone chats and vacations. I can't say that I blame him. I was always away."
    "So you believe that him cheating on you is what you deserve for working?"
    "No , I think he should have broken up with me, but I love my job too much. There were plenty of times I could have let someone else go on the interview sites to those faraway places."
    Xander shifted under her gaze. "But those are your experiences with your work."
    "Still, maybe there was more I could have done." She shrugged.
    "Hey…" Xander moved toward her and lifted her chin. The way she looked at him struck him in a place that no other person had. She looked at him with respect, trust, and a hint of lust. A swarm of emotions chipped away his sense of pride. He'd never felt that with anyone before. "If you tried to make it work around your schedule and it didn't work, then screw him. I don't really know you, but you seem like a good person, Shalaine. He wasn't willing to fight for you. I'm sure there were a few times he could've joined you on those exotic locations. It's what I would've done." Her hand touched his and the look in her eyes shifted to something that scared him. Xander cleared his throat and leaned back, trying to fight the growing attachment to her.
    "Hey , want to watch a movie that is not mine and analyze them together?" Xander hoped to make her feel better. Her face brightened, making her look radiant and though he didn't believe in that lock-and-key theory, Xander thought her smile was pretty damn bright and could open a ton of possibilities.
     
    ****
    After three movies, Xander was beat. Shalaine had put in Barefoot in the Park and it was past midnight and she could barely stay awake. She'd done some heavy grubbing on the food, which impressed him. The popcorn bowl was half-empty, the chocolates were half-eaten (all from her), and