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“My mama enrolled me in etiquette courses when I was ten,” he says with the utmost seriousness. “I can manage to be a gentleman when it’s called for.”
“Well, when it comes to our Daisy, it’s always called for,” Vivian says, harumphing as she drops herself into her desk chair.
“If I promise to be on my best behavior, will you let me hang out with you two instead of shoving me away in that damn closet you call an office?” Arch raises his brows.
Vivian studies him for a while, chewing on her lower lip. I think there’s a part of her that enjoys bantering with Arch. Just like I do. There’s something about him. Even when he’s mean and awful, he’s also still somehow…appealing.
Charisma. That’s what he has. Tons of it. He has a magnetic presence that draws people to him despite themselves. I’m just one of many who’s intrigued by him. I’m definitely nothing special.
That’s what I’m trying to tell myself.
“What do you think, Daisy?” Vivian turns to me, as does Arch.
Power surges through me as I study him, knowing I’m the one who will make the final decision whether he stays or goes. The rational part of me says he should absolutely go. Make him suffer in that stuffy, awful office. But he doesn’t like closed-in spaces. That much is clear. And neither do I.
But my soft side, the one that leads with my heart and various other parts of my body, wants him to stay.
“You can hang out with us,” I finally say.
Vivian muttersoh dearunder her breath while Arch grins, the sight of it dazzling.
Leaving me dizzy.
“Vivian.” Matthews enters the office, all of us swiveling our heads in his direction. “I’m about to hop on a call in ten minutes and I was hoping you could join me. I need you to take notes in case I miss anything.”
Vivian stands up straighter. “Of course. Daisy can be in charge. Let me gather my things and I’ll be right in.”
He smiles and nods, his gaze sliding over Arch, with no acknowledgment whatsoever, before landing on me. “Good morning, Daisy.”
“Good morning.” I smile at him. Can practically feel the snarl on Arch’s face for being ignored.
Another thing he doesn’t like. He prefers all eyes on him.
Once Matthews is in his office and Vivian is about to join him, she turns on us, her index finger out and wagging. “No funny business from you, Arch.”
“What about Daisy? What if she’s up to funny business?”
I almost laugh. He’s so antagonizing.
“I don’t expect it from her. She’ll be fine. You? I don’t trust you.” Vivian’s gaze narrows. “Be good.”
He throws his hands up as if he’s about to be arrested. “You can trust me.”
“Ha!” She turns and enters Matthews’ office, closing the door behind her.
Leaving us alone.
I go to the empty desk and settle in, dropping my backpack on top of it. Arch makes his way toward me, leaning against the desk, standing right next to my chair. So close I could reach out and touch his hip. His thigh.
But I don’t. I could never.
“Want to get up to some funny business?” He waggles his brows at me and I finally let go of the laugh that I’ve been holding in.
He seems pleased. I can see it in the way his eyes glow. The faint smile that tugs at the corners of his mouth. I shake my head, still laughing, probably laughing too much, but he doesn’t seem bothered by it.
“We have to answer the phones since Vivian is in the office with Matthews,” I point out.
“Will you show me how?”
