Page 26 of Pretty Lies & Ugly Truths

“Oh,” she whispers, dropping her gaze, but not before I see a flash of hurt in her eyes. “Right. I guess let me go get changed then.”

Still not meeting my eyes, she turns and slinks away, leaving me standing there, wondering what it was I did wrong.

10

Maggie

Stupid. I’m so stupid.

I berate myself as I drop my head to the glass bar-top where Archer deposited me without a word before going to his office. I can’t believe I thought he might actually be interested in me, that he was asking me to dinner like some kind of date or something.

He called me his “responsibility”—and doesn’t that fucking sting?

I mean, give me a break; it’s not like Iaskedfor his help.

I have practically been looking after Jane and myself since I was nine. I have been drowning in responsibility the majority of my life, never depending on anyone else but me.

I don’t actuallyneedArcher. I can take care of myself just fine. Only, it has been nice to have someone else to lean on for a change, someone to help with the hard stuff,who puts my needs first.

But not if he only sees me as some sort of pet project. Or worse—some damsel in distress who needs a big strong man to save her. I never want to be viewed as weak, especially not by him.

“What can I get for you?” a deep, masculine voice interrupts my inner musings.

I lift my head, only to be met with the most striking cerulean eyes of the man behind the bar. This man is gorgeous—not in the same refined way as Archer, but in a more rugged way. His deep brown hair is cropped close to his scalp, and a light stubble lines his sharp, angular jaw.

He smirks, quirking one eyebrow, and I remember he asked me something. Oh, right!

“Water!” I blurt out, cringing when my voice comes out a touch too loud. “Um—sorry. Water’s fine,” I say quieter this time.

His smirk morphs into a wide, warm smile that lights up his entire face. I am certain that smile has charmed many a woman’s pants off.

Fortunately, he chooses not to comment on my dazzling response; instead, he just nods once before turning to fix my drink.

I palm my face, feeling stupid and foolish for the second time this evening.

“Thanks,” I tell him when he comes back, setting my glass down on a paper napkin in front of me. Suddenly parched, I take a large gulp, hoping the icy water will help cool my flaming face.

“So, I noticed you came in with Archer,” he states.

“Um…yeah. We are supposed to be going to dinner when he’s done.”

He cocks his head, eyes narrowed as he looks me over. “Hmmm?”

“Hmm…what?” I ask, though from the way he is sizing me up I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

“Oh, nothing. I’m just surprised he left you here all by yourself. Doesn’t he know, someone as pretty as you… Anyone might come along to steal you away?”

My stomach plummets through the floor as I realize how my words could have been misconstrued. Does he think me and Archer aretogether?

I mean, technically, we did come here together, and Iamliving with him at the moment, but we are nottogether. God, the last thing I need is word to get back to Archer that I am going around telling people we are dating. How humiliating would that be?

Setting the record straight, I tell him, “No—It’s not like that. We’re not like dating or anything. He’s just letting me stay at his house for a little bit.”

His eyes widen momentarily before taking on a mischievous gleam.

He leans in closer, his large forearms resting on the bar.

“So would that mean you’re single then?” I nod. “Well, lucky me,” he says with a playful wink.

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