Page 36 of Anything To Be With You

I snort. "Dummy."

Erin shrugs. "Meh, say what you will, but I am hilarious."

I shake my head. "I’m going to change. I feel too…exposed." I rush into the bathroom and tear the dress over my head. My body relaxes as I throw my robe back on.

"Explain to me why you think you’re too dumpy to wear a dress like that?" Erin questions as I sit next to her on my bed.

"I just am." I answer, taking a huge gulp. There’s more Rum than Coke in the glass and it burns my throat. Erin opens her mouth to argue but I shut that down quick by changing the subject.

"How’s Jakey?" I ask, propping myself up on my elbows.

"We’re not done talking about your negative body image issues, miss missy. But I’ll let it slide. This time." Erin warns. She grunts as she rolls onto her side. "He’s good," she answers. "He wants to start trying for kids."

"That’s exciting!" I squeal.

She shrugs one slender shoulder, her long, naturally red hair bouncing with the movement. "I guess. I mean, my business is booming but I would like to wait another year or two. Make sure Jessa can manage everything. She’s smart but not totally ready to take full control. She’s too soft when it comes to dealing with assholes."

Erin opened a Concierge service two years ago, specializing in personal assistants. Jessa is her PA, she’s very sweet but hates confrontations. There isn’t a mean bone in her body.

"Did you tell him that?" I ask.

"Duh, but you know Jake. Once he sets his mind on something, there’s no changing it." Erin rolls her eyes. "I mean, look how serious he took his job as Mason’s father figure when you asked him."

Jake stepped into the role of Mason’s 'father' without question. I had asked him after he and Erin got engaged. He was so honored that he nearly choked me to death when he hugged me.

"And I’ll be forever grateful for it," I reply. "You two will be incredible parents. You were amazing with Mason when he was younger."

"To be fair, Jake did most of the work. He is the youngest of six children, so he had practice with his nieces and nephews." Erin finishes her drink.

"Either way, I think you should revisit this conversation soon," I say.

Erin cackles. "You just want to be an auntie."

"You’re fucking right I do! Make it happen Matthews."

The Quiet

Luke

Dani wasn’t bullshitting when she said she wasn’t a morning person. She has yelled at the copier six times in the last twenty minutes, smashed her fists off the printer a handful of times and has threatened to end my existence more than once.

Plus, I think she might be hungover.

"Archer!" she bellows from her desk.

I have been letting the whole Archer thing slide. I’m starting to enjoy her calling me by my last name, so long as she continues to call me Mr. Archer around clients. Standing, I take my time walking over to her desk.

"Yes, Daniella." I answer.

"What in the Christ does this say?" she questions and jabs a finger onto the paper in front of her.

Stepping around the desk, I lean over her shoulder to glance at the paper, and in turn, get the full brunt of that nasty burn mark that's visible due to the cut off collar on her pajama shirt. The scar is a bit darker than her pale skin; it’s raised and smooth and in a strange shape.

"Alimony is to be paid monthly by cheque or electronic money transfer. If alimony payments are halted, regardless of the reason, civil or criminal charges for contempt of court will be pushed through." I answer.

She scratches out my writing and adds hers. "Did doctors teach you how to write. Good God Archer, I can’t read half of this," Dani complains.

"If you are going to continue working here, I suggest you learn."

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