AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know,” April whispers, like she can’t even believe it herself. “It was a shock, but… well…”
“Youlikedit!” Molly exclaims, pointing an accusing finger at her.
“Hey!” She says, sitting up and grabbing a pretzel, chucking it at our friend while the rest of us giggle obnoxiously at the comment. “Don’t knock it until Harry tries it!”
I nudge Molly with my knee, giggling when I ask, “Come on, Molly.” Giggle. “Has Harry knocked at your back door?”
Laughter erupts and Molly blushes. “No! And he never will! He has too much fun at the front door.”
We whoop and laugh, applauding her comment, and then Quinn, of all people, asks. “So, Viv, what about you? Has Archer been knocking on any doors lately?”
It’s my turn to flush bright pink and I twist my lips to the side, lifting my chin in the air. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I didn’t think anyone believed we were faking a relationship for my potential job anymore.
I sigh at the thought of the job. I had my presentation on Monday and I wasn’t even excited to show them what I came up with. Not only was it an ad for soap, but it was just not the kind of work I wanted to do. I loved doing the things I was doing to build CT and Warren’s brands. It fulfilled a part of me that longed to grow.
I just didn’t know how to make that flourish.
Archer’s voice in the back of my mind, telling me to create my own company, filters through and I sigh. It sounds good until it doesn’t. The amount of work it would take to keep myself having an income and to be a great marketer for everyone I take on is a daunting task. It’s terrifying.
“Wait, we all know Archer is halfway in love with you,” April starts and I nearly choke on my sip of wine. “But we don’t really know how you feel about him.”
I feel my throat close up. Being with Archer was everything I had hoped it would be—when I allowed myself to hope—and I don’t love the idea of inviting others into our bubble. I would feel lost if that bubble were to ever pop.
But these ladies were my friends. You didn’t go on stakeouts with just anyone.
“I, well, I uh—” I clear my throat and sigh. “We’re having fun getting to know each other again.”
I feel satisfied with this answer, knowing that it answers their concerns and questions without giving too much away.
“Uh-huh,” Jane says, taking a bite out of a cookie.
“Yeah… I’m gonna need more from you here,” Molly prompts and the girls all voice their agreement.
I take a steadying breath, feeling my phone vibrate in my back pocket and lift a finger. “Oops, hold on.” I pull the phone out of my pocket, hearing the girls talking in the background, but my attention is all on the screen and the picture Archer took of himself, covered in dust.It was a dirty day.
The smile that blooms across my face is hard to hide, but I do try. I quickly type back,Too bad I can’t help you get clean.
His response is immediate.I can come late. When do the girls leave?
I’m about to respond when someone snaps their fingers. “Hey-o! Someone has a giant smile on her face.”
I glance up quickly and see each and every one of the girls staring at me, the grins on their faces almost as big as my own.
“Viv, you’re practically glowing,” Jane comments in her sweet tone, probably the only one of us who won’t full on make fun of me.
“She’s glowing alright. So, I gotta know, I’ve known Archer for years, so… how is it?”
There’s a collective groan at April’s comment and she gapes at everyone. “Oh, come on! We’re all thinking it!”
“I was not,” Jane remarks, a blush on her face from the thought of even thinking it.
“Well, maybeyouweren’t. But the rest of us are a bunch of hornbags. We need the deets!”
I bite my lip. Clearly, everyone already knows about my feelings for Archer or they wouldn’t be pushing. Does my brother know?
“It’s just…” I pause, thinking about how I want to say this, or how much I want to share. I look around and all the girls are looking at me with eager expressions, happy expressions. Because they want me to be happy. “It’s like a dream come true.”
