Page 71 of Anything To Be With You

Luke nods as I sit back down at the table. I wave a hand at the other chair. "Sit. You’re making me uneasy."

Luke does just that, clasping his hands and resting them on the table.

"Why are you here, Archer?"

"To apologise."

"Uh-huh. And you didn’t think a simple phone call would suffice?" I ask.

He runs a hand through his hair and a whimper escapes my throat.

Double damnit!

"Carrie said you weren’t answering your phone," he runs his hand through his hair again.

I lean back and grab him a dish towel off the over door. "It’s clean." I toss it to him.

"Thanks." Luke dries his hair, causing it to sick up every which way. "I apologise, Daniella." He exhales. "Learning that Doug managed to snag John as his lawyer is stressing me out. I've argued against John a handful of times and he demolished me every time." Luke tosses the towel on the table. "I should have never asked you to play pawn or said those things about Mason."

"What you said hurt. I don't think you realize how much." I admit.

"I'm truly sorry. I was panicking and not thinking how my words would affect you," he stares at me. Those ice blue eyes pleading with me to forgive him.

"Let me make one thing very clear, Archer. You are not to use me as a pawn in any court case or bring Mason into any argument."

"Deal."

The dryer buzzes. I stand and grab his dry clothes, handing them over. "I’ll drive you back to the office," I say and swipe my purse off the end of the banister.

"Thank you. Let me just change." I grab his arm before he even takes a step.

"Keep them."

He raises a brow. "Won’t Mason know he’s missing clothing?"

"Nope. And I would prefer my son not have anymore gray sweatpants."

Luke kept his word.

We've had multiple arguments since that night two weeks ago, and not once has he brought up Mason. Even when Mason called ten times in five minutes asking where his shoe is. Six other pairs but he has to have his red ones all the time.

The gentle strumming of a guitar comes through Luke's door.

"What is that?" I stand from my desk and step closer, pressing my ear to the wood.

Soft singing follows soon after. I flatten my body against the door, straining to hear. The voice is stunning. Soft yet masculine, pouring heart and soul into the song. I close my eyes and lose myself in the beautiful song.

"Dani?"

I jump back, smashing my hip against my desk. I hiss and squeeze my hip with my hand, trying to stop the throbbing pain.

"Yeah?"

Carrie walks over and tilts her head. "Were you listening at Luke's door?"

"I was." I grunt, stretching my hip.

"Why?"

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