Marlow slaps me on the shoulder, startling me. “Sometimes you are such an idiot, Archer. Seriously. Makes me wonder…”
I would punch him any other time, but before I say anything, he is already walking away into the dark street, humming a song.
36
KAT
I sipmy cocktail and swipe through the pictures of Ayana that Marlow took for me since my phone can’t take any.
The light lounge music is relaxing.
I’m officially very tipsy.
Veryis defined by the fact that I don’t give a shit about the Pink Medusa and her chihuahuas laughing loudly at the table across the room. And also by the fact that I’m about to break rule number one—do not text guys when you are drunk.
I open the messages and reread Archer’s. “Where are you?” Like I can transmit the dozens of replies I’ve wanted to send in the last hour.
Very tipsybecause, against my better judgment, I finally type in the response.
Me: Sitting in a castle, waiting for Prince Charming to show up.
I presssend.
Well, that was stupid, I curse myself right away.
Yes, I’m drunk.
But that’s why I keep thinking about Archer despite being entertained by Marlow.
There’s someone behind me, leaning over.
“Doesn’t look like a castle but here I am.”
The voice makes me turn around, and my heart slams in my chest at the sight—Archer.
With an arrogant smile and his eyes too sparkly to let me know he is not quite sober, he slides into Marlow’s chair.
“Where’s Marlow?” I ask.
“Passed the torch to me.”
“I don’t know about Marlow’s torch but I sure am surprised to see you here.”
His eyes narrow on me. “What is it about Marlow that you like?”
“Do I detect jealousy?”
“It’s a simple question, Kat. You are not close with anyone besides him.”
We both lean back in our chairs, staring at each other like it’s a competition. Finally, we talk, for the first time in more than a week.
“We click,” I say. “He is a nice guy. I like his sense of humor. We speak Russian.”
I simplify it because there is no real way to tell how you become friends with someone.
Archer chuckles. “That’s it?”
“Is it not enough to qualify for a friend?”