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She laughs. “Tell me seriously what’s going on with this Archer guy.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” I shove more popcorn into my mouth to avoid speaking.
“Bullshit. There is so much to tell.”
Instead of responding, I push the bowl back into her lap.
She continues, “I almost drowned in the pheromones and sexual tension when I got here.”
“Trust me. Nothing is happening.”
Her mouth pops open. “But somethinghashappened?”
I am a terrible liar. My face burns.
She sits up straight, her mouth popping open. “I knew it!” She tosses a handful of popcorn at me.
“Hey!” I throw up a hand to thwart her, but I’m too late. Popcorn showers all over my lap and bounces onto the couch. I pick the food off my clothes and put it back in the bowl in her lap. “Nothing happened. It’s nothing. And nothing is going to happen.”
She picks up another handful and holds it up in a menacing gesture.
I point at her. “Don’t throw that.”
“I can’t help myself. Curiosity makes me want to chuck things.”
I raise my hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. Yes, he’s attractive, but he’s friends with the devil, and he’s only here temporarily. I don’t have feelings for him.” I bite my lip and lower my hands. “But I might have pants feelings.”
She grins and drops the popcorn back into the bowl. “Perfect. Release all your pants feelings on him while he’s here.”
I shake my head emphatically. “No. It’s not happening.”
“Why not? It doesn’t have to be serious. It’s not like you’re gonna marry him. And he has a good aura.”
I chuckle. “You aren’t exactly the best judge of people.”
Her mouth drops open. “I’m an excellent reader of people.”
Exasperated, I give her the side-eye. “Taylor. You joined a cult.”
“That was a phase, and I’m sorry, but Jared Leto is hot.”
I laugh. “If you like the whole waif look, I guess.”
“You clearly like them bigger.” Her brows jog up and down.
Our laughter dies out, and we focus on the TV, lapsing into a comfortable silence.
Maybe Archer isn’t the villain I thought he was, considering the past two days he’s spent cleaning, fixing toilets, and doing a bunch of other terrible things, quickly and efficiently and without complaint. If I’m being honest with myself, it’s been an immense relief.
Which is all the more reason I should avoid him. I don’t want to like Archer, let alone admire him, but the more time I spend with him, the harder that becomes.
He’s leaving eventually, and his end goal completely contradicts everything I’ve been working toward for years. We’re at cross-purposes. I need to focus on my own objectives and stay away, avoid him at all costs.
Jacob snores and snuffles, and Taylor and I share an amused glance.
Maybe I can make Jake work with Archer during the day and answer some of his questions too. The idea sinks into my mind and settles. Yes. This could work. I can evade Archer and keep Jacob out of trouble at the same time. Maybe it will keep him occupied enough to push his drinking hours back, at least for a little bit.
ChapterEight
