Page 27 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

I shake my head. "I'm flattered, really, but I'm not looking to date."

She steps closer and lowers her voice. "We don't have to date if you don't want to." The woman bats her eyelashes in what I can only assume is her best attempt to seduce me, only it's not working.

She's attractive, sure, but I'm not in the time or place in my life to even entertain such an offer. How would I even begin to explain the random stranger who started living with me earlier this week? Let alone the crime my family is forever entangled with. People like me don't date just anyone—they find people already in the life and either hook up or get married, there's really no in-between. I'm not interested in either of those options.

"Order for Archer," the blue-haired barista calls out and sets the drinks on the counter.

I rush over, grab them, and mutter a quick, "Sorry," before leaving the woman who propositioned me behind.

Once I'm outside, I let out a sigh of relief, my chest tightening at the entire interaction. I fucking hate leaving my apartment. I can't stand having to deal with other people.

I return to the refuge of my apartment building and decide to check the mail, relieved when I find the things I had ordered inside. Shoving the boxes up under my arms, I carry them and the coffees up the stairs.

"Hey, Archer," Camille, the neighbor right next to me, calls out. "Damn, got your arms full. Do you need some help?"

"I'm good, thanks, Camille." I continue forward, not letting the challenge stop me.

"So, I'm not sure if you saw the bulletin board…"

"No, what's up?" I adjust the package under my arm and give her my attention.

Camille has always been kind without prying anything out of me that I haven't been willing to give her. I appreciate her respecting my boundaries, and, in turn, I've always been cordial with her.

"I'm going to be going out of town for a while, a year, actually, maybe two, and I'm going to be subletting my apartment. I wasn't sure if you had anyone in mind. You know, since they're going to be your new neighbor, I thought I'd give you a heads-up."

"Oh," is all I can manage to get out, the information somehow catching me off guard.

"Listen, no major rush. I'm not leaving for another six weeks. But I'm going to be interviewing applicants, so if you have anyone in mind, just let me know. I'd appreciate it."

I nod without saying anything and she seems to accept that.

"Anyway, I'll let you go. You seem…" She points to my full hands and arms and chuckles. "Later, Archer." Camille starts down the steps. "Oh, hey, tell Ivy I said hey!"

Except, it isn't Ivy that's in my apartment, it's London.

Chapter 11

London

Iswing the door open the second Archer gets closer and hold it for him to enter.

"Uh, thanks?" he says.

"Who was that?" I ask him without hesitating.

"Who was what?" Archer continues inside and sets the two coffees on the counter before taking the packages from under his arms.

"The girl you were just talking to."

He turns toward me, his gaze narrowing. "Were you stalking me, little tornado?"

I roll my eyes and march over, pointing at the coffees. "Which one is mine?"

"Either one."

I take one and suspiciously sip it. "Is this a vanilla latte?"

"Yeah, why? Is that not what you wanted?"

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