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“Right,” I say breathlessly.
Then, I tell myself to woman up and move into him, pressing my lips against his cheek, “Wanna help me, honey pie?”
His eyes seem to darken and he steps forward like he’s going to grab me. “Honey pie? I don’t think so.”
“You don’t like my nickname for you?”
Moving closer to me, I take a step away from him, a slight grin forming on my lips. “I prefer you just call me Archie.”
“Nah, I like honey pie.” A giggle bubbles in my throat as he grins at me.
His steps advance quickly, and I take more back until I’m full on running away from him, laughter spilling out of me. When he catches me around the waist, a scream rips from my throat, and I can’t control the laughing. He tickles my stomach, and I squirm.
“No! Stop!” I sputter through my laughter, turning to face him when he relents slightly.
“Call me something manlier,” he demands.
I shake my head. “Never.”
“Viv.” He gives me a warning and then circles his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. “I think we proved we’re together.”
This dumps a bucket of cold water on the moment, especially when I look to where Archer indicates with a jerk of his head and see Cyrus and Lillian watching us with smiles on their faces.
It was an act.
I slump slightly and then tell myself to stop, this isn’t the beginning of something with Archer. Not like I’d like it to be.
This is a show.
A temporary time where I pretend Archer is my forever, even though I know it’s bound to end.
Chapter Fifteen
“I understand the concept of camping. But I don’t understand not wanting a running bathroom, a cozy fireplace and unlimited hot chocolate. You can’t tell me camping is better than that.” – Jane
ARCHER
Watching Viviana fight with a camping tent was way more amusing than it should have been. I had no idea she was so lost when it came to camping.
We’d gone a few times when we were teens, but there, her parents were always present and Enzo and I had our own tent we set up, so I never really witnessed her setting up camp. Though, after a while, those camping trips stopped with the whole family and I ventured out on my own expeditions.
Being in nature was one of my favorite things—hell, I’ve already said it, but being outside was the best. If I could have one of those houses that felt like a tree house, I would opt for that in a heartbeat.
But, as I watched her struggle, I realized it might not be for everyone and I had stepped in to relieve her of setting up the tent, sending her to sort through what other supplies we received from the Hansen people.
Honestly, this whole experience is incredible. How many employers took the time to actually vet their employees like this, to the point where they took them on an all-expenses paid trip to bond?
I was all for it.
“Are you still sore about the tent?” I ask teasingly, following her to the circle of firepits with the rest of the group where our first challenge lies.
She has her arms crossed and a sour look on her face. “No,” she spits out, and I chuckle lightly.
“Come on, babe, it was just a tent. And that’s what I’m here for.” I nudge her shoulder.
“Babe?”
I lift a brow at her. “It’s better than honey pie.”
