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The excitement I was feeling at Archer wanting to have a one-on-one dinner with me to tell me the big news quickly plummets.
It wasn’t a special text.
It looks like he texted the whole group.
Derek, Garrett, Chris, Mike, Warren, and my brother all gather around Archer and have drinks in hand, all doing different stupid toasts.
“To Archer, for nailing his interview!” Derek takes a sip, clearly proud by the large grin I see on his mouth after he swallows.
Archer groans. “Oh man, I’m going to have to hear construction jokes now?”
“Yup!” Derek confirms. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they’re all really concrete.”
The guys all start booing and finally, Archer catches sight of me. “Viv.” I see my name mouthed on his lips, his smile grows and that sprinkle of excitement in my belly comes alive again.
Must not have feelings for your fake fiancé.I internally scold myself.
Archer moves away from the group and comes up to me. He pulls me into his arms and crushes me in a big hug. I can’t stop my arms from wrapping around his waist, even with my bag around my elbow and the awkward stance… well, I still relish in it.
Being held by Archer Moore is a feeling I could get used to.
“Hey—” Before I can get out the words, my big brute of a brother shoves his way between us.
“Hey! You’re here! I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
“Oh.” I glance at Archer, who looks perturbed by my brother’s intrusion. At least I’m not alone in that. “Yeah, I stopped by to… congratulate Archer.”
“You know already?” Enzo asks, looking between Archer and me.
“Uh, not really. Garrett said something about a new job?”
“Oh.” Enzo nods, and I look at Archer, waiting for his explanation. But of course, I can’t actually have a conversation with him because, well, Enzo. “Yeah, Archie here got a job working for Henry Blake.”
“Warren’s dad?” I ask, a note of pride in my voice. “What are you going to be doing?”
He opens his mouth.
Enzo cuts him off again. “He’ll be working on a site in Golden and getting a feel for things but eventually, he will be a foreman himself and take over Blake Construction.”
“Well, kind of,” Archer hedges. I can tell he’s excited, but at the same time, Archer is not a boastful human. This kind of attention is not something that he would normally care for.
“Archie, that’s amazing,” I tell him this with a wide grin on my face, hoping I convey how truly excited I am for him while trying not to overwhelm him.
“Thank you, Viv,” he replies kindly. His eyes rake over me, and I try to hide my blush.
“Okay! Celebratory dinner for you, bud, on us!” Chris announces to the room and then looks at me. “You’re welcome to come too, of course.”
I suddenly feel intrusive, even though I was invited over and invited to dinner with Archer, something tells me this is not at all what he had in mind and that awkward feeling that chases me doesn’t relent.
“Oh.” I push a furrow into my brow and wave them all off. “I’m good. I need to get to work on this project for Hansen. But thank you,” I tell Chris and give another awkward wave. “I should get going.”
Enzo gives my arm a squeeze and turns to the guys, they start arguing over where they should go and I take that as my cue to leave.
I will allow myself to wallow in the disappointment of not having that one-on-one time with Archer. But not until I’m safely in my apartment with the comforts of “organizing” TikTok and some ice cream.
“Viv, wait up.” I’ve only just reached the door and pulled it open when I hear him behind me. “I’m sorry about all of that. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be home.” His brows pull down and he looks me over. “I didn’t even get to talk to you.”
I smile, just a little, and say, “It’s fine. I see the guys have plans for you. We’ll catch up some other time.”
