Page 75 of Reckless Kiss

“What’s wrong with that?” Daisy said.

“Fuck off,” Luke barked. “You’re marrying Erica Taylor, and you had no idea she is hands down the sexiest woman alive?”

Jason was laughing behind his hand. “I thought you didn’t know who she was?”

“I just googled her, man. I knew her face, and I just didn’t know her name. Damn fine woman,” Luke said.

“Erica, your Erica istheErica Taylor,” Daisy asked, her voice raising an octave.

“Yep,” Archer confirmed.

“And you didn’t know?” Luke said. “She’s stunning and everywhere, not just in films. Adverts, charity, everything.”

“No. It seems she’s able to play the part really well.” Disdain licked at Archer’s words.

“Now, hold on there,” Jason said. “You have no basis that she is faking her affection for you. It is possible she likes the straight-laced, never late to anything, type of man.”

“Have you two, ya know,” Daisy asked.

“You can ask if they’ve fucked,” Luke said.

“I don’t want to ask it, eww, but are you two more than just faking a relationship for the dragon?”

“Daisy,” Jason chastised.

“Sorry. Have you been more than friends?”

“Yeah. I’ve taken Erica to Stuart Island across the causeway, we went to the flower fields, and I took her to swim with the seals.”

“You’re in love with her?” Jason asked.

“Of course he is. We’re talking about Erica Taylor. Who wouldn’t be?” Luke said.

“But she’s an actress, and she hid it from me,” Archer said.

“You didn’t ask her what she did to earn a living. You didn’t ask her how she affords to rent out five fucking cottages on Copper Island,” Jason said.

“Well, that’s rude, prying.” Archer felt twelve years old with his feeble reasoning.

“You’re marrying the girl. Wouldn’t you ask the basics?” Daisy said gently.

“Clearly not,” Luke muttered.

“So what was the fight about? Did Erica say she didn’t like you? Was she just filling a role? Did she tell you she’s only marrying you for your ability you can fix anything?” Daisy asked.

Archer shook his head to Daisy’s questions. “I can’t fix the mower,” Archer grumbled.

“That mower is older than Aunt Cynthia,” Jason commented.

“Listen, go and talk to her. See if she still wants to go ahead after you’ve been an ass. You’re the best judge of character I know. You know she’s not faking it because you took her to your favourite places. Deep down, you know you wouldn’t have fallen for someone who wasn’t more thanskin deep. So go and grovel, apologise and make sure the wedding is on before I pack this house up into a million boxes,” Luke said.

“What he said,” Jason replied.

“Yeah, Archer. Be nice to Erica. She seems lovely,” Daisy chipped in.

“All right, guys, I’ll see her, get things straightened out.”

“Report back in the morning,” Jason said.

---