Page 91 of Beautiful Thing

“You exaggerate too much.” I wave a dismissive hand at her.

She insists. “He’s like a groundhog. He just sticks his head out to forage for food, and then straight back into his burrow, he goes.”

I laugh softly. “I put my foot down with him tonight. I forced him to hang out with the guys. I couldn’t be alone with him right now. I’m trying to be strong and knowing he’s in the house all the time is driving me crazy.” I take a sip of wine and lean in, my voice a whisper. “Karli, he was wearingglassesthe other night.Glasses. He looked so fucking hot. I wanted to burst into his library and ride his face.”

Karli holds up a hand, shaking her head. “Girl! I love you, but the graphic details, you keep to yourself.”

“Sorry.” I chow down on another piece of bread to muffle my laughter. “I’ve got to say—I miss him tonight that he’s not here.”

She throws her head back and groans petulantly. “You’re playing with my emotions, Layla. I’m trying to not be a bad influence and tell you to do something impulsive but—gah!—I want you two together so bad.”

My friend and I stand around in the kitchen, laughing and gossiping and eating the dinner ingredients. Before we even realize what we’re doing, we’re halfway through the bottle of wine and the bread and cheese are all gone. I guess we won’t be cooking tonight. Thank goodness for the leftovers in the fridge.

We hear an engine, and headlights beam against the side of the house. A moment later, the engine cuts out and my heartbeat kicks up.

Archer’s home.

I don’t know what comes over me. I abandon the conversation and head for the front door like a heat-seeking missile. I swing the door open before Archer can even climb the porch steps.

I smile at him. He smiles at me.

“Hey there, Belle,” he says, his grin only inching wider as he brushes a lock of hair away from my face. His eyes beam softly at me. “Did you get prettier while I was out with the guys?”

Blushing, I lean my cheek into his palm, loving the chill of his calloused palm against my heated skin.

Karli strolls into the room and the two of us jump apart like naughty teenagers.

“Hey, sis,” Archer says, trying to pull his usual stoic expression into place.

She just smirks as she shrugs into her coat. “I’m getting out of here. I wanna get home to my husband.”

“Thanks for keeping me company,” I say to her.

“Did you girls have fun?” Archer toes off his boots and hangs his jacket on the hook.

“We did.” Karli stares pointedly at him, bumping her shoulder into his side. “And you two could be having a whole different kind of fun if you weren’t both so stubborn.”

Archer’s ears go pink and he groans in annoyance.

Karli slaps a hand over her mouth to keep her cackles from waking Sky. “You’re blushing!” she accuses him before her eyes swing to me. “He’s blushing!”

Archer just rolls his eyes, heading off down the hallway. “You’re a little shit,” he grumbles at his sister.

Karli shakes her head in amazement. “I’ve never seen him like this.” She leans by my ear. “Go easy on him, Layla. Mr. Grumpy’s down bad.”

With a wink, she turns and skips down the snowy driveway to her car.

37

LAYLA

Istay until closing and help Archer shut down the hardware store. Most days, I head out before he does, and he closes up alone. But with the store being busier this evening, he asked me to stick around a little later than usual.

Together, we manage to finish up quickly. No easy feat with all the forlorn stares and timid smiles passing between us.

I leave my car at the shop and then we take his truck to go pick up Sky from daycare. Clearly eager to see the little guy, Archer surprises me when he decides to come inside with me instead of waiting in the vehicle.

He stands off to the side of the room as I go to check Sky out. I can’t help but notice all the daycare staff staring at him, grinning in his direction and whispering among themselves.

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