Page 70 of Reckless Kiss

“Erica Taylor.”

“Spelled like the actress?” the reverend said, keeping her eyes on the paper.

“Yes,” Erica said quietly.

“And your profession?”

Erica let out a long exhale and then cleared her throat. “Actress.”

Archer turned to look at Erica, startled by what she’d said. He thought she was a writer, had even commented that she was a writer, and Erica hadn’t denied it. All along, he thought she was genuine, but she was playing a role.

“I thought I recognised your face. You look so different without all the makeup and glitz. Congratulations on your Oscar.”

An award-winning actress, Archer thought. He didn’t need to watch movies to know about Academy Awards and how notable they were. Archer hadn’t met just any actress. He’d unwittingly enlisted the help of a professional. Boy, did she play her part well.

“Thank you,” Erica said in a quiet voice, head bowed.

“But aren’t you still married? Your husband is with the other woman?”

“I divorced my husband months ago. I wouldn’t believe what you read in the press who only want to sell copies. I keep my private life out of the public eye, and no one knew we’d separated and then divorced. I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Of course, I am the keeper of all secrets.” The vicar shifted in her seat, moving to look at Archer. “And you,Archer, you said you’re an electrician. Is that what you want me to put on the marriage certificate?”

“Yes. My middle name is Edward, Archer Edward Turner.”

“Oh, isn’t that marvellous? All your names are six letters. And Erica, you won’t have to change your initials.”

The reverend was being cute, and he wanted to punch something. The rest of the get-together passed in a blur. Archer knew he answered the questions with his hands wrapped around a cold mug of tea. By the time they left, Erica was silent, and Archer was ticking like a bomb. He drove like his arse was on fire as fast as the golf buggy would go and came to a screeching halt outside Erica’s front door. He sat still, not trusting what would come out of his mouth.

“Are you coming in? We have a lot to plan now she’s confirmed we can marry in a month.”

Archer still couldn’t form any words.

“You lied to me,” he said eventually.

“I have always told you the truth,” she replied, picking up her handbag and sliding off her seat from the buggy. “Goodnight, Archer.”

Archer watched dumbfounded as she walked away. He was expecting her to defend herself, but she was right. She had never said what she did for a living, and he had never asked her. It didn’t help his heart knowing this. His heart thought he’d been betrayed that his feelings weren’t reciprocated. But then, he’d never asked how she felt about him beyond their agreement either.

Pocketing the buggy keys, he jogged to catch up with Erica. She didn’t use the front door. Instead, Erica strode around the side of the house to the rear. He was hot on her heels, and he knew, she knew, he was there. Erica tossed her handbag on the couch and opened the back door to thekitchen. This time Archer didn’t follow. She needed to invite him in. He wasn’t that much of a caveman invading her home if he wasn’t welcome.

While she was gone, Archer googled her name and read the first three news articles. They were all about the Oscars and what followed afterwards with her husband and the other woman. He was more confused than ever and wished he’d never looked. She was clearly on the rebound.

He saw the grim expression when she came back out in a sundress and bare feet.

“You’re an actress,” Archer said.

“Yep,” she answered, banging the two beer bottles onto the coffee table.

She tossed the handbag on the floor and stretched out on the sofa. Archer inched forward and then took a seat on the chair opposite her. Erica had closed her eyes, taking deep breaths in and then out.

“You should’ve told me.”

Erica turned her head his way, narrowing her eyes. “Why?”

“Don’t you think it was important to tell me?”

“Again, why? What’s wrong with me being an actress, too lowly for a rich boy like you?”

---