Page 84 of Anything To Be With You

"Damn, Luke. You are looking extra fine tonight," Elle says as I place the case of beer on the counter.

"I do try."

Elle leans in and whispers, "it’s because of Dani, isn’t it."

I start putting the beer in the fridge when the laugh of the woman that has me tied in knots fills the air. It’s going to be awkward now that I know two people know what went down between Dani and me.

"Not at all."

"Liar." Elle laughs and heads out of the room, just to be replaced by Carrie.

"You going to join us, or do you plan on hiding in the kitchen all night?" Carrie deadpans.

I finish putting the beer in the fridge and grab two, handing one to Carrie as I straighten. "I was putting the beer away before you started hounding me to do it." I pop the top and chug half of it.

"Uh-huh. Sure." She grins as she takes a drink as well.

Carrie keeps smiling and wiggling her brows. "Gabe told you, didn’t he?" I finally say.

Shaking her head, she wraps an arm around my waist. "Dani did and I told Gabe." She smiles, all proud of herself. "I didn’t know that you two had a thing before last night?"

"I didn’t know you and Daniella talked after office hours," I counter with a raised brow.

Carrie screws up her face. "You’re not the boss of me after five o’clock." Carrie smiles then pouts. "Had to give Elle ten bucks because you guys made out in one month, but I got a fiver because your face ended up in her pussy."

I down the rest of my beer and reach around Carrie to grab another from the fridge. "Well, I’m so glad I could help bring some money into your life." I reply wryly.

She snorts. "Would’ve been better if it was the full twenty but, meh."

I drop my arm over her shoulders. "Sorry?"

Carrie slaps my chest. "Asshole." Taking my hand, she hauls me into the living room. "Look who I found." Carrie sings as she flings me onto the couch, next to Dani. Who is looking jaw dropping exquisite in a cute lavender summer dress and bare feet.

"Daniella."

"Archer." She finishes her beer and places it on the coffee table.

Four pairs of eyes are watching us, waiting to see what we’re going to do.

This is going to be the most awkward dinner I’ve ever been to.

You Can Do That?

Luke

"Wait, wait, wait! They expected you to divide up fish. Fish!" Erin squeals as she begins to cackle.

I nod as I take a drink of my beer. "Oh yeah, and that’s not even the weirdest thing I've had happen to me." I drop an arm over the back of Dani’s chair, and she leans into me. She has been slowly inching closer and I’m going to take any closeness I can get from her.

"What was the weirdest thing that's happened to you?" Erin leans her elbow on the table, dropping her chin on her palm.

"Fuck. The weirdest one has to be…" I have to think about this because there have been many.

"What about that woman who wanted to pay you in porcelain dolls ?" Carrie chimes in.

"I forgot about Mrs. Archibald. I hate dolls, they have dead eyes and steal souls." I shiver.

"Sounds like you," Carrie says.

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