Page 28 of My Darling Mayhem

He glanced over. "I'm assuming this coworker is Brian?"

I didn't respond because I knew from their last interaction that he didn't care for Brian or my association with him. But I was a little surprised that he even remembered his name.

Archer pushed on, unphased by my silence, "He can keep his coffee. I'll stop for you."

Something crackled under my chest, a tiny fire lit with no purpose and no right being there.

My gaze had snapped over to the side of his face, needing to see his expression and find a way to dig underneath it. My brain screamed at me to uncover why he was so set on showing me kindness when I had done nothing to deserve it. My voice was frail as I finally found a way to reply. "It's fine. He probably already grabbed it."

Archer kept his stare on the road as he turned the truck into one of the spaces of the gas station. My mouth parted as he slipped out of his seat belt.

"How did you know this was the place to go?"

He wasn't from around here and shouldn't know our little local secret.

A smirk lifted his lips as he focused on my mouth. "You were staring at this place, practically drooling all over my seats."

"I was no—" I jumped in to argue, but he cut me off with another smirk.

"Not that I'd mind you getting my seat wet, but I'd like you caffeinated first."

With that, he shut his door and walked into the gas station. My mouth was still hanging open…because what the fuck?

My phone vibrated in my lap, forcing my attention away from the man striding into the gas station like he owned the place.

Brian: The line at the coffee place is long. I'll be late.

Glancing up, I watched Archer bypass the line inside to place my order. No one seemed angry with him; in fact, everyone was smiling at him as he leaned over the counter, talking to Joey, the owner and barista.

I hated how that kernel in my chest felt warmer while I watched him. Heaving a sigh, I looked down at my screen and punched out a reply.

Me: Change of plans. I can’t do today.

Archer returned minutes later. He'd gotten me a bagel with cream cheese and my favorite coffee.

"How did you know I liked these?"

He shrugged. "I asked Joey if he knew your order."

Clever. So stupidly clever.

I hated the way my mouth twitched in a smile and how he was being so nice to me when I knew he was pissed at me. Or maybe he didn't care enough about me to care how I behaved…but he seemed upset the last time we’d interacted with each other.

"Well, thanks. What do I owe you for the coffee and bagel?" I asked, feeling my hands warm as I held both items. He'd started driving and hadn't asked me where I worked yet.

"Answers, Wren. Our game is still in play."

That warmth in my chest moved lower when he said my name.

"What do you want to know?"

Sipping my coffee, I ignored how he began navigating toward my job. I had no idea how he knew where I worked, but Iwouldn't question it. He seemed resourceful, and maybe he was just guessing.

Archer glanced over once, then shifted his hand on the steering wheel.

"Is Wren your real name?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel the color drain from my face.

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