But you can still crash with us until
you find a place.
Thanks, but I wouldn’t want to impose on
the newly engaged! Speaking of which, do
you have a new proposal plan?
Yes! Okay, I was thinking we
should go away somewhere! For
like a weekend, a mini-vacation,
something romantic and not
too far.
Love that idea!Archer dutifully helped Lynn brainstorm ideas—the Hamptons? Cape Cod?—but his stomach was swirling. Homeless. Jobless. Hopeless.
Okay, I’ll keep you posted if I book anything,Lynn said as their brainstorming wound down.And don’t worry, your plants are doing great! They love Sasha’s. Lots more light. You should see the grin on little Spot’s face.
Good to hear. Thanks, Lynnie. Night.He was putting his phone down when there was a sharp knock at his door. He jumped a mile. “Come in?”
The door pushed open. It was Mateo.
Archer’s stomach swirled in an entirely different way. He had never gotten over how handsome Mateo was, and seeing him tonight, framed in the doorway, with wet hair and loose gray sweats… He was even hotter than normal. “Oh, hey.” Archer’s cheeks heated. “What’s up?”
Mateo’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Archer said quickly, wondering what his face had been showing.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’s only… my roommate in Manhattan. She’s moving in with her girlfriend and I guess I’m officially homeless now.” The panic fluttered in his chest. “Although my mom would disagree.”
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” Mateo came in and perched on the chair at the desk.
“Yeah.”
“But you’ll find something, right? Someone in Manhattan has to need a roommate.”
“Maybe.” Archer sighed. “Or maybe this is the final sign that I should give up and go back to Ohio.”
“I don’t know all the details, of course, but… you’re talented, Archer. I don’t think you should give up.”
Archer shrugged, cheeks flushing hotter. “I don’t know.”
“What if…” Mateo straightened a pad of paper so it lined up with the edge of the desk. “What if we auditioned together?”
“What?” Archer laughed. “I love that you’re thinking about auditioning again, really, that’s so great, but… not with me!”
Mateo gave him a sharp look. “Why not?”
“Because you’re Mateo Dixon!” Archer could imagine his Mateo poster on the wall behind where he was sitting. “Your agent will get you auditions. You don’t need to do open calls like me.”
Mateo rolled his eyes. “Okay, one, stop calling meMateo Dixonlike it’s a thing. And two, I haven’t had an agent since everything went to shit.”