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After last night, Archie honestly thought things had changed. He told her she was his. They admitted feelings. No more secrets. She’d been avoiding him all day. He didn’t even hear her get up that morning. She hadn’t said two words to him.
He watched as Brian and James shared a look. “What?” It was that look they gave each other when he was being an idiot. The problem was that he didn’t know what he’d done.
“Did you try something last night?” James’ eyes narrowed.
“She’s mine.” He admitted with a grumble.
Tyler gasped. His hand clutching his gray t-shirt. “Did he finally say it out loud?”
“You saw the new tattoo.” James had a goofy grin on his face.
Archie stared at him.
“I saw it last night when we were playing pool.” James shrugged.
“I kissed her.” Archie’s head fell back as he closed his eyes. He didn’t want to look at his friends right now. Not when they weren’t being serious. He just needed to say it out loud.
“How was it?” Brian cleared his throat.
Archie turned his head and opened his eyes. “Like I want to do it every day for the rest of my life.” He couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. He glanced back across the room at her.
“You look at her the same way she used to look at you in high school,” James whispered. “Don’t tell her I told you. Not that she confided in me or anything. I wasn’t her best friend. You were.”
“So, what are you going to do?” Brian leaned back.
Archie stood from the table. “Make her my girl.”
They cheered him on as he crossed the room. They were still hollering when she stood in front of her.
“What are those two yahoos screaming about?” His father growled out from the other side of the bar. “It’s like having all of you back as teenagers, grow up!” He walked down the bar and out the back door.
Tabitha laughed. “I missed everyone.”
“Can we talk?” He motioned for her to follow him. He wanted to be out of prying ears, and they would definitely be listening.
She blew out a breath. “Okay.”
They’d barely made it upstairs and into the room before she spoke first.
“We can just forget it happened.” She smiled. “I understand emotions run high. With my ex being public enemy number one, I just can’t handle anything right now. Archie, I just got you back in my life and I’d like to try and rebuild the friendship we once had.”
No. This was not what he wanted. She’d been going through a lot lately though. He could understand why she would want to take things slow and not concentrate on a relationship. If it took being her friend first again to get her to open up, he would do it. He’d be her best friend, like when they were younger.
Then he’d make her dependent on him. Sure, it was selfish of him, but he had to have her in his life.
“I’d like that.” It was a lie.
He wanted her friendship, but he wanted more than that. He wanted to be her everything. Whatever it took.
“Why don’t you start from the beginning? Talk to me about the divorce and how it ended. I don’t know all the details and I think you need to talk to someone. Why not your oldest and bestest friend?”
They walked over to the bed and sat at the foot of it. He waited as she gathered her thoughts.
“There’s not much to say. He wasn’t who he said he was. He manipulated and tried to buy my forgiveness. He tried things and I don’t want to think about it. I just want to move past it.”
His hands fisted. “What do you mean, he tried things?” He knew about the rape after the divorce. What all happened?
“He wanted a baby and I couldn’t give him one. It angered him. When we did try, it was just ugh.” She looked away. “I don’t want to get into it right now, Archie.”
