Page 114 of A Little Complicated

“Thanks.” He gives me a boyish grin and lifts the brown bag, waving it back and forth. “You didn’t answer your text when I asked what you wanted me to pick up, so I grabbed Indian food. I hope it’s okay?”

“Oh.” I nod, peeking at my closet door and the tiny slats hiding Maverick from view. I have no doubt he’s looking directly at me.

“Did you forget I was coming over tonight?” Archer asks, sensing my hesitation.

I turn back to him and fold my arms, rushing out, “No, no, no.” I pause when he tilts his head in a silent challenge. “Okay, yes, I forgot,” I concede. “But I’m not mad you’re here. My brain’s taking a second to catch up with everything since I just woke up.”

His frown deepens. “You sure?”

“Yeah. Totally.” I dig my teeth into the inside of my cheek and tuck my hair behind my ear, unsure if I should ask if he wants to come inside or if I should pretend I’m sick so I can get out of this as soon as possible. When the thought crosses my mind, the muscles in my stomach knot. This is Archer. My Archer. He’s my best friend, and I haven’t seen him in so long. Between his internship, hockey practice, and me sneaking around with Maverick, we’ve been busy.

“I’ve missed you,” I admit, and honestly? It’s the first truth I’ve said since he showed up on my porch.

“I’ve missed you too, Lia.” Archer’s voice is like a caress and warms my insides, settling my anxiety with a simple lift of his lips. “I guess I’m trying to figure out how to wade through all of this since the…break.”

“Yeah, me too,” I murmur.

Resting his shoulder against the doorjamb, he prods, “How’ve you been?”

“Good. Really good,” I clarify. “Uh, busy, obviously. But…I’ve missed you,” I repeat.

His smile widens. “Do you mind if I come inside?”

“Uh,” I look down at Maverick’s shirt swallowing my body and grimace. “What if I get dressed and meet you at your place?”

He rocks back on his heels. “Yeah, sure. Whatever you want.”

“Okay. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you in a few,” I promise.

“See you.” He steps forward and kisses my cheek, pulling away with a sweet smile while backing up. His long legs eat up the eight feet of distance between our doors, and he steps inside, leaving the porch empty, but it doesn’t do anything to calm my racing heart.

Once he’s gone, I close my door and lean my back against it, letting out a long, slow breath.

The closet door opens with a quiet squeak, where I find Maverick watching me. “So, this is it for us tonight,” he mutters.

“I’m sorry. I forgot.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He moves closer, crowding me against the front door, bending down and brushing his lips against the opposite cheek his brother had. And it’s fascinating. How similar their movements can feel sometimes, and how wildly different my body reacts. His breath is warm as it hits my cheek, and I lean into the innocent kiss, forcing him to hold it longer than he planned. When he pulls away, he doesn’t look amused. He looks…torn.

Looping my fingers in the edge of his jeans, I keep him close and whisper, “What’d I do wrong?”

His eyes fall to my lips. “Nothing.”

“Then why do I feel like I did?”

He stays quiet, his gaze bouncing around my face as if committing it to memory. “Sometimes I forget I’m not the only guy who sees how perfect you are.” He kisses my forehead. “But it isn’t a bad thing. Promise.”

My fingers fall from his jeans as he steps back and runs his hand along the top of his head. “I’m gonna sneak out the back. I’ll see you later.”

I nod. “Okay.”

As he turns around, heading through my house, I call out, “Wait. You forgot your shirt.”

I reach for the hem as he faces me again and shakes his head.

“It’s not mine. It’s your dad’s, remember?” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes as he turns and walks away.

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