“Two years ago, after my father died. It was a scary time. I only had two months to find a new place. The owner was bringing people to the house to show it, and that’s when Noah walked in.”
“He wanted to buy it?”
I smiled. “No. But he was with a man who did. He used to work as a personal guard. He flirted with me, and I was too shy to say anything. The owner wanted me out of the way, so I sneaked away into the library while he showed the buyer the house. The buyer sent Noah away so he could discuss money, and that’s how we met. Noah kept me company in the library, and we talked for a long while. Before he left, he asked me out on a date to a fancy Breed restaurant. I was so nervous.”
Archer shepherded me away from the road to let a car pass. “Was that your first time in a Breed place?”
I glanced up at him. “Yes. I lived a pretty sheltered life. But he was sweet and persistent.” I smiled, remembering the way Noah pursued me like I was the only woman on the planet. “He brought me flowers and took me shopping for clothes. Then one night, we went to the lake, and he asked me to move in with him. In fact, he insisted. It had to be fate, right? I was close to being homeless, and Noah walked into my life at a time when I needed help. That has to mean something.”
Archer rubbed the back of his neck.
I realized how the conversation was making him uncomfortable, given the circumstances.
Does he really want to know about your love life, Cecilia? Stop rambling.
“My father also had a debt collector show up. Noah took care of it.”
“He paid him?”
“Well, he didn’t push the man off a cliff.”
Archer chuckled, and I loved that he got my silly jokes.
I gathered my dress to one side when a gust of wind threatened to lift it. “Are you from Texas?”
“Oregon.”
“What brought you here?”
“A bus.”
I playfully shoved his arm while laughing.
Car headlights coming toward us revealed Archer’s wide grin.
“I came here to join the pack. Well, Krys and I. We’re cousins.”
“That’s a long way. How do you like it here?”
“It’s hot and muggy. I don’t know. It’s all right, I guess. Not a lot to do around here.”
Slowing my pace, I said, “It must have been hard starting over. Noah and I moved here six months ago, and even though it’s only two hours from Austin, it feels like another planet.”
Up ahead, the neon sign of the Rabbit Lounge came into view.
“You know what I’m really wondering?” he asked.
“Why you’re buying dinner for a woman who spilled paint all over you?”
He chuckled softly. “No, but you raise a good point.”
A car horn honked repeatedly behind us from the store parking lot.
“That’s Noah.” I stopped in my tracks, wondering if he would get out to read the sign or wait in the car for me. Then I turned to Archer, whose hand was tucked in his jeans pocket. “What did you want to ask me?”
He shrugged. “I’m just trying to figure out why you haven’t asked me the most obvious question.”
My mind scrambled.Like what am I doing hanging out with a man I slept with? Did he think I was a good lover or the worst he’s ever had? Has he told anyone about what we did? Why is he taking me out to dinner? Why is he asking my boyfriend to work out with him? Why does he care about my father?
