XAVIER’S POV
The next morning, I woke up feeling energized—and then I remembered Katrina.
My girlfriend.
What day of the week is it today?
She should be off duty at the hospital.
It had been too long since I spent time with Katrina. Between the constant media frenzy, our victory celebration, and the entire fake dating act with Melissa, my real life had been swallowed by the image everyone else expected me to maintain.
But today, I wanted out of that spotlight—at least for a while. I needed something normal. Something real. And Katrina—she was my normal.
I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. It rang twice before she picked up.
"Hello?"
Her voice sounded tired but familiar. Grounding.
"Hey," I said, leaning against the kitchen counter. "I was wondering if you were free t
