Page 14 of A Little Complicated

Still sorry. I’ll see you tonight, right?

Me

Duh. You really think you can get rid of me so easily?

Archer

I hope not. What are you doing until then?

Me

The sun’s out, so I’ll probably lay out in the backyard or something. I also still need to finish unpacking. So we’ll see.

Archer

Wish I was there to help you unpack. Maybe Mav can help?

Me

I’m good. Thanks, though.

Archer

I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.

Me

And I’m sure you’re smoking something. :) Regardless, I’m a big girl. Pretty sure I can handle emptying a few boxes by myself. I’ll see you later.

Archer

See you at 7.

Me

See you.

Sometimes it feels weird. Dating Archer. Okay, weird isn’t the right word. It’s…nice. He’s a great kisser, and I know I’m attracted to him. It’s just different. Figuring out how to connect friendship Archer with boyfriend Archer.

Both are good. Great, actually. But it still takes some getting used to. It helps that he’s more than willing to take things at my pace. But it still feels strange. Part of me wonders if this is what it’s like for everyone. Learning how to let go of certain relationships so you can move on to future ones. Ithasto be normal, doesn’t it?

I push the thought aside and get back to work unpacking all my things. Thankfully, the place is already furnished, so I don’t have to deal with any big items, mainly clothes, hockey gear, makeup, and other toiletries. I should hit up the grocery store, too, but since I don’t have a car, I’ll probably have to bum a ride off Archer or one of the other boys sometime soon.

That’s another problem for future Ophelia,I decide as I bend down and get to work.

Sweat dribbles down my back as I unload another box. This one is filled with dishes for the kitchen. The glasses are tinted with pink and have little dots indented in the clear crystal glass. With a breath of laughter, I slide one into the cabinet, knowing how much it’ll piss Dylan off when she sees them. The girl hates pink with a vengeance. Each of my roommates donated items to the house, and since Finley and Dylan love getting under each other’s skin, they took full advantage. Sure, Finley might’ve chosen these glasses because she knows Dylan hates pink, but Dylan picked the shower curtain in the bathroom covered in Finley’s greatest fear. Finley’s going to pee her pants when she sees all the cartoon frogs decorating the bathroom. So, a little splash of pink here and there? Yeah. Pretty sure it’s an even trade-off.

I dig another glass from the cardboard box when the rumble of an engine at the front of the house grabs my attention. I pause, setting the glass onto the counter and heading to the window overlooking the driveway. I peek through the blinds in time to witness the motorcycle pulling onto the street and disappearing down the road. The driver was wearing a dark helmet, keeping the bike’s owner a mystery while only piquing my curiosity more.

Okay, then.

* * *

Archer was late.He didn’t mean to be, but apparently, he’s the cat’s pajamas at his internship and was wrangled into helping one of the principals with another presentation or something. Once he was finished, he raced to my place and took me out to dinner. Now, here we are, catching up on lost time on his front porch. Technically, it’s kind ofourfront porch since they’re connected, our front doors sitting side by side.

Weird.

He wraps his arms around my waist and squeezes tightly, stealing the breath from my lungs.

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