CHAPTER10
LUCIA
Ising along to the radio as I drive. Jax sits in the passenger seat chuckling to himself every time I can’t hit the high note. It’s Friday afternoon and we have finished our last meeting for the week. I know he doesn’t usually work office hours but he’s tried to have a little structure for my first week, before he allows me anywhere near the real business of my father’s organization—where all of the fun stuff happens.
I’m driving today because he declared he needs a day off from being my chauffeur, which is fine by me. I love driving. It gives me a sense of freedom.
My phone rings and Archer’s face flashes up on the screen of my dash. My finger hovers over the button. I’m not sure I want to take this call with Jax listening in.
“You not going to answer that?” he asks.
I roll my eyes and press the button to answer.
“Hey, Lu,” Archer’s smooth, deep voice fills the car.
“Hey,” I reply.
“You still on for tonight? We need to get my favorite chick a big fat—”
“Archer!” I interrupt him before he finishes that sentence. “You’re on speaker and my dad’s friend is in the car.”
“Your dad’s friend?” he purrs. “Not Mr. Decker by any chance?”
“Yes,” I reply.
“Well, hello, handsome. Remember me?” Archer immediately camps it up and Jax rolls his eyes.
“Hello, Mr. Henderson,” he replies, his voice as smooth as chocolate.
“Yes, we’re still on for tonight. My place at eight,” I say.
“Fabulous. I’ll see you later. Kisses.” He blows a kiss down the phone and hangs up.
“Your dad’s friend?” Jax asks with an arch of one eyebrow.
I frown at him. “You are my dad’s friend.”
“Right,” he mumbles.
“What else did you want me to say?” I ask as I glance between him and the road. What’s his deal? He is the one who is always reminding me that my father is his best friend.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head and stares out of the window.
I sigh inwardly. I feel like I can’t win with him sometimes. “If I’d said you were my friend then he would have gone and finished that sentence, and neither of us wanted that.”
“About you going out to chase dick tonight?” he snaps.
“Exactly.”
He stares out of the window and the tension in the car becomes unbearable.
“Are you mad at me for something?” I eventually ask.
“Not at all, Lucia,” he replies with a fake smile.
I shake my head and go back to focusing on the road. Asshole!
Archer lies on my bed, his muscular arms behind his head as he watches me try on every dress in my closet.