I shook my head. “I already got my parents something.”
“Of course you did,” he teased. “Shopaholic.”
“I can’t help if I’m good at finding gifts.” I defended myself.
Archer snorted. “Which is exactly why you’re helping me.”
I pursed my lips, pretending like I had to consider it even though I was already one hundred percent in. “And what do I get out of this?”
“I won’t tease you for liking to shop?” He tried.
I shook my head once.
“My undying gratitude.”
I tapped my lips, then shook my head.
He made a sound like he was irritated, but then he smiled. “I’ll buy you a bowl of chili at Bab’s.”
“With cheese?”
“Cheddar.” He confirmed.
“Deal.”
He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“Can we eat first?” I asked, trailing after him.
“No.”
We went to three shops and one of the pop-up stands that was only there for the night of the raising. By the time we were finished, Archer had a gift for his mom, dad, and grandmother. It took longer than it should have because we had to stop and talk to everyone we knew… which was, well, everyone.
And the girls had to stop and flirt with Archer. They never tried to flirt with me. I didn’t really care much because, well, I had a secret crush on the same guy they did. Besides, I didn’t blame anyone for not really noticing me when Archer was standing there. He had that all-American thing going for him. You know, muscular from all the farm work and playing football. His smile was easy and wide, and he never seemed to get nervous when talking to people. His sandy brown hair and blue eyes were a classic combination, and he was tall. Not to mention his family was one of the founding families of Winterbury.
We were finally on our way to Bab’s for the chili I was promised when two girls from school stopped us on the sidewalk.
“Hey, Archer. Hey, Toby,” they chimed in unison. Both were wearing earmuffs and long coats, and one of the girls, the one who especially liked Archer, was holding a paper cup with a lid.
“Hey,” Archer said, and I waved.
“Where are you going?” she asked, and internally, I winced. I’d been hoping we could get by with a wave.
“Bab’s for some chili.”
“We just left there. Her hot chocolate is the best,” she said, holding up her cup like we couldn’t already see it.
“Who are you shopping for?” her friend asked, gesturing toward the bags Archer was carrying.
“Christmas present for my mom.”
Both girls oohed and aahed.
“Oh my God, it’s so sweet you’re getting your mom something,” she said, stepping forward to lay her hand on Archer’s arm.
Something hot and uncomfortable burned my gut. Actually, it wasn’t something. It was jealousy. Obvious jealousy. It drove me crazy how she just reached out to touch him. I wanted to be the one to do that.
But how could I? He never really said he was into guys.
