My eyes fly open at the laughter in Archer’s voice.
“Freaking hell. You scared me.”
“I kind of got that when you screamed.”
“Shaddup.” I slap his shoulder. “I must be hallucinating due to exhaustion.”
He frowns. “I’ll drive you home.”
“I—” My response is cut off when a yawn hits me. “Sorry.”
“Come on.” He grasps my hand and draws me across the parking lot toward my car.
“What are you doing here anyway?” I ask once we’re driving out of Winter Falls.
“If you would have answered any of my messages, you would know I planned to pick you up at the end of your shift.”
“Sorry. It’s been crazy busy.”
I’m not exactly lying. It has been busy. But could I have found two seconds to reply to him? Probably. Okay, fine. Most definitely.
“You missed a great night.”
“Yeah?”
“The gossip gals are crazy. They got down on the floor to pretend they were dancing on the ceiling, but then they couldn’t get up again. Forest tried to do a strip tease on the stage, but Lyric handcuffed him before he could get his pants off.”
Archer bursts into laughter. His obvious enjoyment of the antics of Winter Falls has me thinking.
“Why didn’t you want to come to the bar tonight?”
“I’m an introvert. Crowds aren’t my thing.”
I study him for a moment, but the inside of the car is dark and his outline is hard to make out. In the end, I shrug. “Okay.”
“Princess.” Archer pokes my side and I swat at him. “Sleeping.”
He lifts me into his arms. I inhale the scent of firewood. Archer. I cuddle into him knowing I’m safe and secure.
If I were the kind of woman to make New Year’s wishes, I’d wish Archer and I could have a real relationship. One where he didn’t split after six months and I deserved love.
Chapter 8
When life offers you an opportunity, you accept it ~ Archer’s rules for getting what he wants in life
Archer
Ispot the crowd in front of the new spa on Main Street in Winter Falls and scowl. I have no desire to mingle with the nosy residents of this town. After today, they’ll never leave me alone in peace again.
But I promised Ashlyn I’d come to the opening ofGlitter N Bliss.She considers the owner, Elizabeth, to be her sister for reasons too convoluted for me to understand. When I said wasn’t going, she pushed and needled until I gave in. My poor brother doesn’t stand a chance with her.
I feel as if everyone in the place is staring at me as I nod and smile at people while wandering through the business. I need to find Ashlyn and say hi and then I’m out of here. I get jostled by someone from behind and decide I’m done with this. I’ll risk Ashlyn’s wrath.
I march toward the exit, but before I can make it there, a very angry Cassie stops me.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Crap. I didn’t expect her to be here. Her sister, Elizabeth, is the owner of the spa, but I was counting on Cassandra’s dislike of waking before noon to save me from this confrontation.