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I don’t want to ruin her night—more than it has been already—but waiting too long will make the repercussions worse.

I’m going to tell her. It’s the right thing to do.

It’s settled. Resolute, I get out of the car.

ChapterThree

Finley

Iflick Jacob on the cheek, leaning over him in the open passenger door. He snored the entire drive home. “Wake up, numbnuts.”

His head rolls away, and he swipes a hand up, attempting to deter me. “Stop, Fin.” His eyes are closed, his words thick with sleep.

Footsteps approach, and Archer appears next to me. “Finley, I—” he clears his throat.

I meet his gaze.

His eyes are dark and intense, surrounded by thick lashes that should be criminal on a man who’s already hot enough to melt the frozen pond over the hill with just a smoldering look.

He stares at me for a few long seconds.

Jacob’s arm flails up between us, reaching for nothing. “I gotta take a piss.”

Archer steps closer. “Right. I-I’ve got him.” And like I wished on a genie and summoned the hottest, most helpful and capable man I could wish for, he tugs on Jacob to get him out of the seat and hefts him into his arms like it’s no big deal and he manhandles people all the time.

I scuttle ahead of him, leading the way up and through the side door and into the house. The sink is full of dishes. There’s an open box of Cheez-Its on the counter, and the trash can is overflowing.

This is so embarrassing.My skin prickles with heat.

I pick up the pace through the living room and up the creaky wooden stairs to the second floor.

We head down the long hallway that leads to the back bedrooms. The photographs lining the walls are dusty. The floors need sweeping.

I’ve never stopped to consider the faded wallpaper and outdated wood paneling lining most of the interior. It’s all been here since I was a kid, and I haven’t had time or money to change it. All our profits go toward maintaining the cabins and keeping the business puttering along.

Archer and I stand outside the door, waiting, while Jacob fumbles in the bathroom. I hope he doesn’t pass out and hit his head in there.

Finally, Jacob finishes, and I help Archer set him on the messy bed, his feet hanging over the side so I can get his dirty shoes and pants off.

“I’ll be just a second,” I say.

He exits the room with a short nod, his footsteps receding down the hall.

I tug off Jacob’s boots with a wince and then his dirty pants, throwing them in the full hamper in the corner. At least there’s a clear path to the bathroom.

“What am I going to do with you?” I lift his legs to the bed and cover him with the old navy-blue comforter he’s had since high school.

Archer is standing a few feet away, down the hall, his hands tucked into his pockets, gazing at the array of photos.

“It’s a lot to take in at once,” I say in a low voice, shutting Jacob’s door. “We used to joke that Dad should have been a professional photographer.”

“You have a big family.”

I nod. I don’t want to talk about my family. “Do you want a drink or something?” My voice is pitched too high, exposing the nerves racing through me.

I want him to say yes.

I want him to say no.


Tags: Mary Frame Romance