Page 97 of Delilah In Discretion

“Whatever you want, Princess. Oh, and I’m going to need you to work a bit overtime today.”

Starting the engine, I rolled my eyes with a smile. “Of course you do. I’ll see you in fifteen.”

After finishing the last of the paperwork, I placed the file in the cabinet with a huff. Archer was not kidding when he said “overtime.” I’d been here four hours later than usual, and it was almost midnight.

Archer leaned against the door frame as he watched me brush the hair out of my face.

“You stayed longer than I anticipated.”

“You needed help… and he sure isn’t of any use,” I said, pointing to Sterling, who was sitting in the corner.

He made a face. “Hey! I help,” he said with a pout, and Archer sighed.

“Yes, you help yourself to my father’s snack drawer every ten minutes. Other than that, you don’t.”

I laughed at their banter as Archer brought me into his hold from behind and rested his head on my shoulder. I leaned into his arms and rested my hands on his.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and I jumped as Kimiko locked eyes on the three of us.

“Give me my best friend back,” she ordered, and Archer tilted his head.

“Why?” he asked.

Sterling bit his lip, ignoring her obvious irritation. “Hello, tiger.”

“Piss off, Reynolds.” She spoke in a rush.

I pulled myself out of Archer’s hold as I approached her. “Kimi, what’s wrong?”

She pointed to Sterling, who was now looking around the room as if he was clueless. “It’s his fault I’m all over the place. He’s trying to take me down, he wants to make my life a living hell, and he’s best friends with the dean, which means all of my hard work means nothing if it has to go through him!!”

I calmed her slowly as I rubbed my hand soothingly on her back, and looked over to Archer. “I think I’m going to take off, Archer; it’s getting late, and I need to find something to cool her down.”

Archer nodded as he leaned against his desk. “All right, I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon—” he started, and Kimi cut him off.

“No, she’s my best friend, and I’m upset because your best friend—” she began, but Archer stopped her.

“Acquaintance,” he corrected.

Sterling rolled his eyes. “Really?” he asked Archer who, in turn, shrugged his shoulders.

Kimiko stomped her foot and glared once again. “Whatever!! He is making my life a living hell, and I need to vent to Delilah.”

“You’ll have that time during schooling hours,” Archer replied.

“Guys,” I began, trying to keep the peace.

Kimiko glared angrily. “She was mine first,Archer.”

Archer retorted as he narrowed his eyes, “Well, now she’s mine,Kimiko.”

“You’re mine.”We heard a third voice, and the three of us sharply turned our heads to Sterling as his eyes lay fixated on Kimiko.

Kimi’s face turned red, and she avoided eye contact with him as she looked back at Archer. “You are technically withholding the most significant asset from my life, and I will press charges if you keep doing so.”

“Well, have your lawyers contact mine, and we’ll go from there,” Archer responded, and Kimiko stormed out of the room.

I crossed my arms as I stared at him. “Archer, you need to learn when to stop.”

---