“I’m not gonna be able to fit into my jeans if you’re gonna keep cookin’ for me like this.”
He rolls his eyes. “I doubt that. But if you want, I can use fat-free cheese next time.”
“Ew, don’t you dare!” I stand and grab the half-emptied pan and meet him by the counter. “If I promise to work out, will you buy the real deal?” I taunt.
The corner of Archer’s lips tilts up, and I watch as he lowers his gaze down my body, then back up to my lips. “You really have nothing to worry about. But yes, I’ll always buy the fatty cheese.”
“You’re the best roomie ever.” I grin, wrapping my arms around him. I don’t realize how close we are until he stiffens against me. “Did you want to watch something with me?”
“Sure. Just gonna clean up.”
“Oh, let me. You cooked. I’ll do it before I go to bed. It’s kinda my nightly routine. Tidy up the living room, take out Sassy, run the dishwasher, then masturbate until I pass out fully satisfied.”
Archer’s eyes bug out, but he doesn’t say anything. He not so casually clears his throat and diverts his attention.
“Alright.”
“Well, sometimes I watch ASMR videos. Just depends how I’m feeling that day,” I add with a grin.
“You’re fucking with me, right?”
“No! ASMR videos are so relaxing. Sometimes, I watch them in the tub and wake up an hour later with wrinkly fingers.”
Although that’s not what he meant, seeing him squirm is worth it.
“I’m gonna wash up. You can pick the show or movie,” he says, walking toward the bathroom.
“What’re you in the mood for?”
“I’m afraid to even answer that,” he calls out over his shoulder, causing me to laugh.
“Oh come on. Am I that predictable already?” I shout from the living room.
“Everleigh, the only predictable thing about you is how unpredictable you are.”
Those words fill my chest with warmth. Archer’s an onion whose layers are slowly peeling away, and I like that he’s letting me in.
“Alright, what did you pick?” he asks when he returns and takes a seat next to me on the couch. I can smell his cologne, dark and sensual, mixed with whatever body wash he uses.
“Only Murders in the Building,” I finally reply when he catches me gawking. “It’s a new show.”
“Everything’s new to me.” He chuckles. “But let’s do it.”
“Martin Short and Steven Martin? Love them.” He crosses his leg over the other.
“And Selena Gomez. She’s a doll,” I say, giving him a full rundown of Selena Gomez for the next five minutes. “An epic cast,” I reiterate.
“Damn, okay.” He laughs, and I click play.
“I’ve thought about hosting a podcast,” I admit halfway through the show when the characters discuss starting one.
“Oh yeah? I could see that. You’d be good at that, always talking and having an opinion.”
I pop a brow, unamused. “Really?”
“In a good way!” he exclaims quickly. “People love hearing others’ thoughts and rants. Plus, you’re one of those social types.”
“You should do it with me then. I bet people would love to hear about your experiences.”