Page 70 of The Puck Chase

“Damn, we’re lucky we got a space, it’s usually always slammed out here,” Archer muses, switching off the engine, clearly more than comfortable here, turning toward me with a completely carefree smile. “I’ll just go ahead and apologize now,”he adds with a wink, before slipping out of the car, and I have no choice but to follow.

“Apologize? For what?” I ask, as he moves towards the trunk to grab our bags, but no sooner are the words out of my mouth, that the front door is flying open, and a beautiful blond woman is rushing out toward us.

“They’re here, they’re here,” she calls out behind her excitedly, her eyes only on me, and when I flick my stare back to Archer, he is watching me with a knowing smile.

“For that,” he mouths, as his mom strides towards me looking exactly like a more grown up version of Aurora, in her perfectly coordinated outfit.

“Daemon,” she coos, my name sounding like a damn musical coming from her lips, as she pulls me instantly into a warm embrace, and I freeze. “I’m so glad you’re here, I’m so thankful to meet you,” she breathes, as Archer curses, and I try not to panic.

“Mom, I told you he doesn’t do hugs,” he complains, marching towards us, and his mother releases me instantly.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Sweetheart, I forgot, I’m just so excited you’re both here,” she replies sheepishly, standing back and smoothing down her outfit, and for some reason I instantly feel guilty.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Monroe, it’s a pleasure to officially meet you in person,” I tell her warmly, holding out my hand and trying not to let my fucked up darkness show, and her smile remains completely genuine.

“Please, Darling, Mrs. Monroe is my mother-in-law, call me Claire,” she smiles, taking my hand in hers, and it’s the warmest handshake I’ve ever had in my life. Then her gaze moves to her son. “Archer, my boy, I missed you,” she greets him tenderly, holding out her arms for a hug, which he accepts instantly.

“Missed me? I was here not even a week ago,” he replies, shaking his head, and she pulls back and whacks him in the chest.

“Don’t sass me just because your boyfriend is here,” she snaps back, and Archer’s eyes widen a little in panic, yet the word boyfriend caresses me in the same way her handshake just did.

“I’m pretty sure sassing is his only setting these days,” I muse, and she laughs, loud and bright, releasing Archer and moving to curl her arm around mine, as she begins leading me toward the house.

“Oh, Daemon, you and I are going to get along just fine,” she preens, forcing us to leave Archer behind as he scoffs.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get the bags,” he calls out to our backs, and I almost laugh at his sarcasm, but I am too busy being whisked away by his mother.

We walk into the house, and I try not to let my jaw drop at the humongous famous painting hanging in the hallway, and when I flick my stare over my shoulder, I find Archer watching me with a knowing smile. Not that I have time to linger and appreciate it. Claire leads me down the hall and right into the kitchen, where I find Aurora, Everest, and his father all waiting.

The kitchen itself is a big open space, with marble countertops and sleek cupboards and a huge marble island right in the center with huge windows that take up almost the entire wall. It’s beautiful and almost professional looking, but with the way his family are lounging in it, it also feels warm and inviting, like you can just imagine them having big family dinners here.

Aurora slips off her stool at the island instantly, smiling brightly as she moves toward me, almost going in for a hug before she stops herself. “Daemon, it’s so good to see you again, wait until you see what I’ve been working on.” She gesturestowards her sketchbook on the counter, and I nod, returning her smile.

“I can’t wait,” I tell her truthfully, before focusing on the two other men in the room.

“Daemon, you know my daughter, but let me introduce you to my son, Everest, and my husband, David,” Claire motions to both of them, and while Everest flicks his stare between me and Aurora, as if he’s looking for something, David wipes his hands on a towel and quickly rounds the counter.

“It’s good to meet you, Daemon,” David tells me, reaching out and shaking my hand firmly.

“It’s good to meet you too, Sir,” I reply, as I feel Archer at my back, his mom finally releasing my arm and stepping into her husband’s side.

“Please, call me David, I hear enough of that sir bullshit at work,” he laughs, looking every bit the New York businessman, and I mildly wonder what he does for a living, clearly something that pays well, before I move my focus to his son.

Everest is still watching me carefully, silently, almost predatory, yet I see the slight softening of his stare, as Aurora returns to his side, and I hold my hand out in his direction. “It’s nice to meet you, Everest. Archer and Aurora have told me a lot about you.” His stare flicks to his brother over my shoulder, before coming back to mine, where he eventually accepts my handshake.

“You too,” is all he replies, and when I look at Archer, he rolls his eyes.

“Don’t worry about, Ever, he’s almost as grumpy as you,” he tells me with a wink and smile, but I see the love he has for him, and I can’t help but wonder what Ryan would be like if he were still alive.

He’d be almost the same age as Everest now, and the thought punches me in the gut, but I force a smile to my face and nod inresponse. Archer takes one look at my smile and turns back to his family.

“We’re gonna go get settled, so you guys can all catch up later,” he tells them firmly, and to my surprise none of them object. “What time is dinner?” he asks his mom, she shrugs then looks at her husband in question.

“Around five,” David responds, which gives us a good few hours to settle in. “Your dad and Katrina are joining us, since your mom and Kat have some last minute planning to do for the gala,” he tells us, and Archer nods knowingly.

The reason for Archer’s visit home is to attend said gala. Apparently, it’s something his mom does every year and it’s attended by all of New York’s elite, this year the guest list also includes me. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I agreed to attend, but apparently when it comes to Archer, I will do anything to make him smile.

“That reminds me,” Claire cuts in, flicking her stare between the two of us. “I made you both an appointment tomorrow morning to be fitted for your suits,” she tells us, and when I snap my gaze to Archer’s, desperate to protest, he shakes his head slightly.

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