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“We might have those for lunch too,” I say.
Archer chokes on a piece. “I already called Slate. He’s bringing some of your clothes in a minute. As well as restaurant delivery until tomorrow.”
“We’re staying till tomorrow?”
“At least.”
“And your work?’
“I called April and canceled my meetings.”
I narrow my eyes at him in suspicion.
“I do have a conference call with Amir and others tomorrow night, but I might make it from here.”
I don’t even hide my grin. A whole day with Archer feels like the best present. The weather feels like it too, giving the rare sunshine amid the gray clouds.
Archer’s phone beeps, and I eye it suspiciously. He only glances at it.
“Food and clothes.” He winks and walks out, and I follow him onto the deck and wave to Slate downstairs as he unloads the goodies and leaves.
I put my bikini bottoms on and walk out onto the deck again to suntan. Archer swims in the pool, and I squeal when he walks up to me and shakes his head like a dog, splashing water on my hot skin.
“Heeeey,” I protest. He only grins and straightens, his broad form casting shade over me. “You’re blocking the view.”
He rubs himself. “You prefer the ocean over my sexy body? Rude.”
And just to punish me, he flings himself right next to me, then shifts to place his wet head on my belly.
“Tyrant,” I murmur with a grin, then close my eyes and slide my hand to stroke his hair.
Lunch is from Tapas and tastes better than ever. Must be the ocean air.
I can’t stop studying Archer. The way he moves—so relaxed unlike any other time before. The way he smiles like he has no worry in the world.
We walk out onto the deck in the afternoon and stand by the railing, studying Ayana in the distance.
I love this place. But there’s this constant feeling that something is going to ruin this happy moment, like we’re only given so much to enjoy. It’s eerie, unexplainable, invading my mind at the happiest of times.
“You’re unusually quiet,” Archer finally says.
“I was thinking that… You know, every time I feel like things are great with us, something bad happens.”
“Kat.” Archer’s voice is a reproach. “You can’t think like that. Nothing will happen. Everything is great. Or is there something you wanna tell me?”
It’s my turn to give him a reproachful look. “It’s just…” I turn away to study the peaceful ocean that literally yesterday was a storm. “Bad things occasionally happen when I think everything is great.”
There’s a moment of silence, and then Archer says, “What happened in Thailand?”
45
KAT
My head snapsin his direction. “Who told you?”
“Your dad.”
“Huh.” I look away, not knowing why my dad did it or why Archer brings it up now.
