“Have you and Dean started planning the bachelor party yet?” I ask, needing to say something before things go from bad to worse.
“We’ve thrown some ideas around. Vegas was one of them.”
“That sounds fun.”
“What about the bachelorette party?”
“I’m not sure I’m invited. I like Kara, and I think it’s mutual. What’s not to like, right?” I joke and Archer laughs. “But she’s down there and I’m up here. Plus I don’t know her friends.”
“I thought people in small towns knew everyone.”
“Oh, I know who they are. They’re older than me so we never talked in high school or anything. And then I left and never went back.”
“You said you like it here, didn’t you?”
I nod. “I do. Despite the high crime rate, it’s progressive and fun and I’ve made some really good friends here.”
“That’s good.”
I sip my lemonade again, wondering how long it’s been since we ordered that pizza. Archer leans back in the booth, looking out the window.
“If you make the drive to Eastwood, you’ll have to, uh, let me know.”
“Yeah. I will.” He puts one hand on the table, drumming his fingers. He wants to say something but is nervous. It’s kinda cute. “I’m not sure when it’ll be though.”
“I figured as much. I know you’re super busy with work and you haven’t come up in, what, years?”
“It’s been a while.”
“It’s nice you guys are still friends. Not a lot of people stay friends that long.”
Archer’s brow furrows. “Yeah. He’s been a good friend.” He looks at me, inhales, and opens his mouth to speak. I know the words about to come out will hurt. I brace myself, expecting him to remind me how I’m Dean’s little sister and how he regrets everything that happened last night and how we can never speak of this again.
That sleeping with me was a mistake.
“Quinn!” a familiar voice calls before Archer can get a word out. I turn toward the source and have never been so grateful to see an ex-boyfriend before in my life.
“Jacob, hi,” I say as he starts to make his way over. Okay, maybe I’m not so grateful to see him. The server at the table next to us moves, and Archer comes into Jacob’s line of sight. He almost comes to a halt when he sees him.
Geez. It’s been over a year since we broke up. Poor guy needs to move on already. It’s not like we had a great relationship anyway. It wasn’t bad, not at all. He treated me well and was respectful, but there was no passion. No fire. No drive.
We got along. Have similar interests. The sex was okay. I only faked it a few times.
But it was nothing like last night. Jacob doesn’t get under my skin and annoy me so much I want to slap him across the face one minute, and the next have me cooking him breakfast so he can get a few extra minutes of sleep.
“Quinn.” He settles his gaze on me for a few seconds too long before turning to Archer. “Dean’s friend, Archer, right?” He holds out his hand for a handshake.
“Right.”
“I have to ask” —Jacob starts— “is that an Indiana Jones replica hat?”
Archer gives me a half smile. “I think it’s supposed to be. Quinn got it for me.”
“His last name is Jones,” I explain. “And he’s a doctor. Get it?”
Jacob let out a forced chuckle. “I do. Dr. Indiana Jones. You were always clever, Quinn. It’s one of the many things I like about you.”
And now things just got awkward again.
“I’ll let you two enjoy your meal. See you Monday morning, Quinn.” He goes back to his table.
“Did you date him?” Archer asks.
“Yeah, for a few months.”
“And he works with you?”
I shake my head. “Not at the same company. I design software and he builds robotics. Our companies work together a lot, which is how we met and why we’re doing a project together now. So fun to work with an ex.”
“He’s still hung up on you.”
“I know. I feel bad.”
Archer looks puzzled. “Why do you feel bad about that?”
“I don’t really know…I feel bad he’s not happy, I guess?”
“You’re a good person, Quinn,” he says softly, and then leans forward. “Software and robotics. You really are building some sort of badass car for a vigilante, aren’t you?”
“If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.”
“You already established you were. So you might as well tell me.”
I laugh and take another drink of lemonade. “All I can say is if robots really do take over the world, at least I’ll know the code to shut them down.”
* * *
I reach over the bed, fishing my underwear out of the little space between the nightstand and the bed frame. After lunch, we had some time to kill before Archer needed to get to the airport to fly back to Indy.
Hand in hand, we walked the few blocks from the pizza place to his hotel, going up to his room for the sole purpose of having sex. In any other situation, this would have been weird. Tense. Embarrassing maybe.
But not with Archer. Things change the moment we take our clothes off, and there’s no awkwardness. No hesitation or waiting to see if Archer is going to tell me what’s on his mind. He’s very open and even more personal. We’re amazing together, making me feel bad for doubting the validity in the sex scenes I’ve read about in romance novels. It is possible to have multiple orgasms, and I think Archer was going for a record this time.
Lifting my ass off the mattress, I slip on my undies and lay back, heart still racing. Archer hasn’t put his clothes back on yet, which is fine by me, and is lying next to me, chest glistening with sweat.
He rolls to his side, slips his arms around my middle, and pulls me to him.
“I don’t want to go,” he whispers.
“I don’t want you to either.” I rake my fingers through his dark hair and move as close as I can, needing to feel every inch of him against me. I close my eyes, trying to commit this feeling to memory. I have no idea when I’ll see Archer Jones again.
He lets out a breath and brushes my hair out of my face.
“I’m glad I ran into you, Quinn,” he says. “The last twenty-four hours have been incredible.”
“Yeah, they have. I wish we could do it again.”
“Me too.” His lips meet mine. “Me too.”
We stay tangled together until the last possible minute and then scramble to get dressed. Archer’s already packed and ready to go, all he has to do is leave. Finally, and now at risk of missing his flight, we get in the elevator to go downstairs.
The tension starts to come back, and I’m not sure quite what to do. Say goodbye? See you later? I knew getting into a long-term, committed relationship wasn’t on the horizon. Yeah, I really like Archer, but we live very separate lives. But I have to say something, right?
I don’t know what to expect, or if he even wants to hear from me after this. Do we need to talk about this? Archer’s been a part of our family for a decade. If we don’t talk and then see each other at the rehearsal dinner…I internally shudder. And I thought riding down to the lobby was an awkward moment.
I hang back while Archer checks out, and we walk together in silence out of the hotel.
“Well,” I start, turning to face Archer.
“I’ll call you,” he says, and his deep brown eyes catch mine, and my heart aches already. There is no one else for me but him. He gets me. Goes along with my weird sense of humor. Makes me feel in-fucking-credible in the bedroom.
He’s so close yet so far away, and that little voice of hope that lives deep inside my heart screams at me to tell him how I feel. My brain overrides this time, going into self-preservation mode. It already hurts enough leaving after the amazing weekend we had together. Telling him that I think we should see each other again—soon—will only make it worse.
The timing is all wrong.
Not to mention how much of a fit Dean would throw if he found out Archer and I hooked up. Though really…I don’t see what the big deal is. Everyone likes Archer.
Archer’s eyes sear into mine, and I wish so badly for super powers right now. I’d will him to say exactly what’s on his mind, because even if it’s not what I want to hear, at least I’d know what the hell is going on inside his brain.
Not going with words, Archer takes me by the waist, pulls me close, and kisses me hard. Tingles run all the way through me, and someone catcalls as they walk past us. He doesn’t need words to say what his kiss is telling me.
He’s saying goodbye.
Once the kiss ends, he rests his forehead against mine, eyes falling shut. His arms wrap around me, and he gives me a tight hug. I never want it to end.
“I’ll see you,” he says, breaking away. And then he gets into a cab.
I know I will see him again. But the question is, how will he feel when I do?
15
Quinn
Two weeks later…
I stretch my arms out in front of me, slowly rolling my wrist. It’s aching today, and I forgot my wrist brace at home. I remembered my posture brace, at least, and stand for the first time in hours to get it from my bag.
My office is warm today from having multiple computers running and my door closed. I found a snag in the software design and have been pulling my hair out all day trying to fix it. I think I’m the only one left in the office. Opening my office door, I twist my hair into a bun and use a pen to secure it on the top of my head. Grabbing the posture brace, I unbutton my blouse and take it off, tossing it in my oversized purse. I’m wearing a sheer white cami underneath, so it’s not like I’m just sitting in here in just a bra. I slip the brace on and sit back at my computer, feeling a bit better to have my shoulders held back into place.
As soon as I sit down, the nausea I’ve felt all day hits me hard. I get up to get some water, and as soon as I set foot out of the office, I run into Jacob.
“What are you still doing here?” he asks with a smile. And then his eyes drop to my chest. The brace smooshes my breasts together and up, working better than a pushup bra. If only I could hide it under clothes…
“Working. But what are you doing here?”
“Same thing. Well, kind of. I had to pick up files to sign off on.”
I casually pull up the collar of my cami, trying to cover my breasts as much as possible. “You should have asked me. I could have dropped them off to you. I go by your office on my way home.”
“Yeah, I thought about it, but wasn’t sure if your boyfriend would be mad.”
I let out a snort. “Archer isn’t my boyfriend.” Anger surges through me, but I should be proud. It’s the first time in two weeks I’ve said his name without sneering. Though, I really shouldn’t be mad, right?
There was no promise of commitment. My feelings for him stemmed from a teenage crush and it was my own naivety to think sleeping together would make him suddenly love me.
“Oh, you two looked, uh, close?”
I wave my hand in the air. “I’ve known Archer for years.” A twist of nausea hits me, and I put my hand over my stomach, grimacing.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I think all the coffee I’ve been chugging is finally catching up with me.”
He laughs. “I’ve been there. So, since you’re not dating the doctor…”
Shit. Shit. Shit. Please don’t ask me out.
Jacob shuffles closer. “I know it’s only Monday and things come up, but do you want to grab dinner Friday?”
“Oh,” I start, and watch the hope rise in his eyes. Dammit. “I’m going to my parents’ this weekend. I haven’t seen my nephew in a while.”
“Right. I forgot about that. It’s nice you do that. Is Daisy still out of the picture?”
“Thankfully, which might sound awful to say.”
Jacob’s face softens. I’m not interested in dating him anymore, but it’s nice to have someone who knows my family history to talk to.
“I don’t think it’s awful. She’s the awful one. I mean, who can just walk away from their family like that?”
“She’s got major issues. The only reason I hope she shows her sorry ass is so she can get served with divorce papers.” I shake my head, feeling sorry for Wes. “Anyway, I guess I’ll see you Wednesday for that meeting.”
“Yeah,” he says. “Maybe we can grab lunch.”
“I think we can do that.” I smile, already knowing Marissa will tag along and keep it from feeling anything like a date.
* * *
I fall into bed as soon as I walk through the door of my room. “I’m literally dying,” I grumble to the cats, who followed me in wondering why the hell I went in here and not the kitchen. “Feed yourselves.”
It’s Friday and I just got in from the office. I have a laundry list of stuff to do before driving down to Eastwood, but this week has killed me. I pulled a late night at the office Monday and was so tired by Tuesday it physically hurt to keep my eyes open. I crashed on the couch when I came home and was in bed by eight-thirty. Wednesday wasn’t much better, and I was cramping so bad from my impending period I didn’t have much of an appetite. I think the lack of food furthered my exhaustion and coupled with the stress of this project that I finally figured out today, I’m just done.
I lazily strip out of my office attire and snuggle into bed. Not meaning to fall asleep, I feel a bit of panic when I wake up about an hour later. Shit. I sit up too fast and get hit with dizziness. Rubbing my eyes, I force myself up, chug some water to try and feel better, and get a move on.
“Sorry, guys,” I say to the cats. Going as fast as I can, I feed them, set cans out on the counter to make it easier for Marie, my neighbor who comes and feeds them when I’m out of town. I quickly pack a bag, make my bed, and try to muster up the energy to vacuum. I’m not a neat freak or anything, but I like things to be tidy when I come home after a weekend away.
There are dishes in the sink, but I don’t want to load them in the dishwasher and leave it running after I leave just in case it leaks or something weird. I pull on my pink rubber gloves and turn on the water to hand wash what’s in there.
The smell of my yogurt bowl from this morning makes me gag. It hasn’t spoiled or anything, yet that fruity scent is sickening. I turn my head and inhale, trying not to breathe as I scrub out the bowl. I’m feeling so sick by the time I finish the dishes, I’m worried I came down with the flu. I crawl to the couch and curl up, closing my eyes for just a minute.
Half an hour later, my phone rings. I sit up, blinking, realizing I fell asleep again. I don’t feel nauseous anymore at least. I grab my phone and answer.
“Hello?”
“Hey, honey,” Mom says. “Are you still coming? I haven’t heard from you and you’re usually getting here around now. I saved a plate of dinner for you.”
“Yeah.” I sit up, blinking rapidly to try to force my eyes to focus. “I’m leaving here in a minute. I fell asleep on the couch. It’s been a long week.”
“You’re not too tired to drive, are you? Should you stay home and come in the morning?”
“I’m okay. I’ll regret it in the morning and wish I’d left tonight. I’ll swing by Starbucks on the way. I’ll grab my stuff, say bye to the cats, and be out of here in ten minutes.”
“Be safe, honey. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
I hang up, grab everything I need and haul it to the door and say goodbye to the cats, who are more interested in the handful of treats I scattered on the kitchen floor before making my exit.
I wait until I’m out of the city to get coffee and sing along to the radio to help keep myself awake. As much as I love my loft, there’s something so comforting about my childhood bedroom. We moved into the old house when I was twelve, and back then it was in really rough shape. It
scared me at first, and Logan and Owen had fun telling me how haunted the place was. Obviously, it doesn’t scare me anymore, but I still think it’s haunted. The ghost is friendly at least and I’m pretty sure her name is Anna Beth. Or at least that’s what the spirit board told me one night when I was sixteen.
By the time I pull into my parents’ driveway, I have to pee so bad it’s not funny. I’m already strategizing where to park, how I’ll only grab my purse, and then run straight to the bathroom. There’s another car in my spot, one I don’t recognize right away. Then I get closer, and I know exactly who that Jeep belongs to.
Archer Jones.
16
Archer
“Do you boys want a second helping?”
“Yes, please,” I tell Mrs. Dawson, even though I’m already full from the first plate of chicken potpie I had. But it’s homemade and delicious.
“Your interview was pushed to tomorrow?” she asks as she puts another helping on my plate and moves on to give Dean another scoop.
“Yeah. The chief surgeon wanted to talk to me as well but couldn’t. There was a nasty car accident and he’s been in surgery all day.”
Mrs. Dawson grimaces. “I don’t know how you do it. I’m so thankful you can, of course. We need more good doctors like you in this county.” She gives me a warm smile. “You’re staying here tonight, don’t even try to tell me otherwise.” Mrs. Dawson smiles. “I love to have both my boys back! It’ll be just like college. Except you’re both much more mature,” she adds with a wink. “What about dessert?”
“Kara was right,” Dean says and puts a hand on his stomach. “You are trying to fatten me up.”
“Oh hush.” Mrs. Dawson opens the fridge and pulls out a carton of eggs. She’s from the southern part of the state, and has that southern hospitality thing down pat, showing her love through feeding us constantly. I don’t mind one bit.
“Mom, I know you mean well, but I don’t think either of us want eggs.”
“They’re for Rufus,” she tells Dean. “Poor old guy hasn’t been feeling well. I think his new medicine for arthritis upsets his stomach. I stopped giving it to him, but he’s being finicky with his food.”
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