Page 125 of Daddy By Design

“No.”

“So surly. Even more than you usually are.”

Probably because Dahlia had been MIA for the last three weeks. She chalked it up to working on the specifics of the supplies we needed for the flooring, furniture, and the like. But then I would find out she’d been on site on the days I was gone.

As if she was making sure not to see me.

Archer clapped a hand on my shoulder. “If you won’t let me play on the roof, and I’m still waiting on the stone to come in...”

“What kind of trouble are you going to get me in?”

“We’re in the middle of nowhere. There isn’t any real trouble we can get in.”

“That doesn’t stop you.”

Archer grinned. “Let’s get cleaned up and we can go check out that bar on Main.”

“The Spinning Wheel? That’s not on Main.”

“No. The wine place. We can have a bro-date.”

I rolled my eyes.

“You gotta get out of this house, man. And so do I.”

“Fine.”

“I get the first shower!” Archer hightailed it up toward the Airstream. Unfortunately for me, the trailer had a pullout bed in the living quarters, and he’d been camping out with me.

And he was not a great roommate.

I jogged after him and scooted Gizmo back into the trailer. I’d taken to keeping him with me since the banging going on at the house didn’t agree with him. Not that I told Dahlia that. She was already upset about him being in my care.

“What’s up, Holy Terror?”

Gizmo blinked at me then climbed my leg as per usual. I didn’t even feel the pricks from his killer nails anymore. I scooped him close to my chest and his purr increased. “Let’s find you some food, hey?”

His tail twitched, then he curled it around my wrist as I took him into the kitchen. The top cupboard was now his with a stack of cans that I took from the mansion each time Dahlia refreshed the food. I‘d started buying some on my own and found he was a poultry fan. I dumped a can into his bowl and set him on the counter to dig in.

I checked emails on my phone while I waited for Archer to steal all my hot water.

My chest tightened when I saw Dahlia’s name on one informing me of the furniture order for the tower room and primary bedroom. I transferred her the funds she needed and tossed my phone on the shelf.

I was the one who’d pushed her away, but it pissed me off that she still listened.

Our few interactions had been nothing but professional.Just as it should be.

I raked my fingers through my sweaty hair. And yet I missed her, dammit. Missed her smell, that sarcastic wit, and most of all, her skin.

It was just biological. Had to be.

Archer shut off the water and came out a few minutes later in a towel. “Even left you a little hot water.”

“You’re all heart.”

“I am.” He grinned then took the handoff, as Gizmo found Archer to be his second favorite person. He tucked the cat onto his shoulder as we shuffled around each other.

I took a quick shower and got dressed.

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