“I already bought the tickets, and I’m going to make sure that Ellie wears matching underwear in case he offers her a behind the scenes tour if you know what I mean.” Sadie waggles her brows.
I playfully hit Sadie, making her wine slosh over the side of her glass onto her pumpkin painting. She looks at me in mock outrage.
“You know what,I am not sorry.” I state.
The rest of the painting class goes off without a hitch. Sadie and I catch an uber to our Friday night restaurant. The margaritas and chips are going down way too easily. I look at my phone screen and see a picture from Archer. It’s a photo of a newBaldur’s Gate lllcharacter.
Man Giant: Ty and I are trying honor mode again. How’s your night?
Elle: I must have had too many margs. Is Archer Bell playing bg3?
Man Giant: Heaven forbid a man have hobbies.
Man Giant: You knowing the abbreviation makes me believe you play. How have we not talked about this before? What’s your build?
Elle: Depends if I’m playing Durge or tv.
Ellie: *Tav.
Man Giant: Give me your Durge. Resist or Embrace.
Elle: Resist, even in a video game I have a hard time being mena.
Ellie: *mean
Elle: I love that you’re still a fucking nerd
Elle: my little nerdy Archer.
Man Giant: Hey! There is nothing little about me. Man Giant: How much have you had to drink?
Elle: enough that the letters on my phone are too small.
Man Giant: Let me know when you’re ready to leave, I’m coming to pick you and Sadie up, call me paranoid but I don’t want you two getting an uber when you’re both drunk. Where are you?
Elle: Salsa Casa.
Chapter 9
Archer
Ipull into the parking lot of the Mexican restaurant, the bright neon lights casting a glow across the lot. Salsa Casa is a little hole in the wall restaurant attached to a bowling alley. It’s in the same affordable neighborhood as the coffee shop and the parking lot is packed, it’s clearly popular. The food must be good. It’s not surprising at all that this is Ellie and Sadie’s favorite Friday night haunt.
Inside, I spot them right away. Ellie and Sadie are huddled together at a corner booth, giggling.
When they notice me, Ellie’s face lights up. I can’t help but smile back. She’s half out of her seat, dangerously close to taking a dive. I find myself picking up the pace to catch her before she falls, but she recovers with the table just in time. “Just so you know, we could have gotten a ride home with Reggie.”
“Who’s Reggie?” I ask. The idea of two inebriated girls getting a ride from this Reggie puts me on edge.
“He’s one of the organizers of the furry bowling league next door. He lives in my building.”
I try not to laugh, but it’s hard. The very idea of some poor dude in a furry costume wrangling these two is pure comedic gold. A chuckle ends up escaping me.
“What’s so funny.” Ellie’s brow furrows.
“I’m just imagining this Reggie trying to carry you two to the car.” I grin.
This causes Sadie to cackle at the table.
