I'd rolled my eyes, blushing at his words, but ultimately didn't take them seriously.
But with my husband reverting to his long hours and sporadic contact, it wasn't long before I started to flirt back. It felt harmless, but I couldn't deny that he made me feel good. He complimented my work, we had loads in common, and he never failed to ask me about my day. I found him attractive, yes. But I couldn't say that I was attractedtohim. I noticed his good looks as I'd notice that the sky was blue.
Although, I thought as I watched Archie play around with Max, a brown and white terrier cross, there was something to be said for a man who loved animals. It was certainly an attractive trait.
I grinned as Archie rubbed Max's shiny coat. "Good boy," he praised. "You're getting so big and strong. You'll be up for adoption before you know it."
We were the only two volunteers in today. Since it was a Sunday, the shelter had closed early, so we used the time to help clean out the kennels and exercise the dogs, especially those that needed socialising.
After walking around with Rumi—a black terrier who had a milder personality compared to Max—I collapsed next to Archie on the grass with a satisfied sigh. Rumi planted her chin on my knee, and I murmured words of encouragement as I stroked her soft fur. Max soon found himself taken with a soft toy in the grass and pranced away to nuzzle at it. Rumi's head slowly rose as she watched her companion play before curiosity got the better of her, and she drifted cautiously over to inspect his prey.
I watched them interact with a soft smile on my face. I grew up around plenty of dogs. My mother had a beagle, and my grandparents kept two gorgeous greyhounds. I always thought I'd have one of my own by now, but I was glad that I'd held off. With my marriage on the rocks, a full social calendar, and my days spent in classes, I would've felt guilty for not being able to spend enough time with them. Alessio was not a dog person; in fact, he wasn't much of an animal lover at all except for the occasional horse ride with his nieces and brother. When I told him that I wanted at least two rescue dogs, he'd wrinkled his nose at me.
"As long as they're out of my way, it shouldn't be a problem."
Christ, it was becoming increasingly obvious how unsuited we were.
But it wasn't a problem before, Millie.
As crazy as it sounded, perhaps Annabelle had done me a favour when she'd cornered me in the lavatories all those months ago. Maybe she helped me see that, as much as I lovedAlessio, I needed to finally be realistic about our marriage and not view it through rose-coloured glasses, thinking it might one day turn real.
Archie's hand brushed mine, and I glanced at him, startled. His body had moved a little closer to mine until our knees touched.
"Sorry. I've been calling your name for a while. You're off with the fairies."
His gentle brown eyes roamed my face, and I spied the naked longing behind them. When he realised that I'd caught him staring, a soft red climbed his cheeks, and he looked away.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. You're just so bloody fit, it's hard not to fancy you."
I blinked, shocked at his candour. I shifted my knee away from his and stared down at the grass, feeling slightly awkward. "That's-that's sweet," I managed to choke out.
Archie grimaced and rubbed a hand on the back of his neck before sending me a pained grin. "I know you're trying to be nice, but no man wants to be called sweet after he's confessed to liking you."
I laughed, a flush of pleasure painting my cheeks. I didn't know what to do with such honesty. I was flattered, of course, but also a touch uncomfortable. "Sorry. I don't know what else to say."
"Christ. No, I'm sorry." He ran a hand through his hair before standing and backing away. "I know you're married. I shouldn't have said anything."
No, he shouldn't have, but as I stared up at Archie, I couldn't help but find it all a bit thrilling. My mind started to drift into a territory I'd never considered. Because even though my marriage was one-sided, I'd never felt the compulsion to have my own little fling. I was married andfeltmarried.
Alessio had never asked me whether I would be faithful or if I had a lover. My mood darkened as I realised the full extent of his arrogance. Did he just assume he would be the only one having a bit of fun on the side? Or did he simply not care?
Before I lost my nerve, I stood and reached out to Archie, placing my hand on his arm. He glanced at me with a guilty look, his face still flushed.
"We have an open marriage," I blurted out before I could stop myself. I could feel my own cheeks heating. Was I really going to do this?
Archie stilled at my words, before his jaw slacked and his mouth fell open. "I'm sorry," he said, shaking his head. "What?"
Oh god, this was a mistake. I shouldn't have said anything. But it was too late to turn back now—I said what I said, and I had to push through.
"My husband and I." My tongue felt thick in my mouth as I swallowed past a lump in my throat. Nerves and a little bit of thrilling fear travelled through me. "We have an understanding. As long as we're discreet, we're free to do as we like."
Archie didn't need to know that I had yet to step out on my marriage.
"Are you having me on?" he asked incredulously.
I shook my head, ignoring the doubts that tried to push through. Maybe I should've picked someone I wouldn't see almost every day? But then again, where else would I meet someone? I didn't want to proposition a man within my social circle for fear that they'd pull an Annabelle and be loose-lipped to Alessio. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him, and I knew he felt the same with me, despite recent events.
"No shit?" His keen eyes raked my features closely, perhaps trying to sense any bullshit. "Does that mean I can take you out? Discreetly?"
