I quickly dress before making my way to the queen bed and pull back the covers. Archer obviously only had the clothes on his back, leaving him completely naked. He slides beside me, pulling me against his strong, warm body.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” He places a chaste kiss on my lips and we settle into bed. His steady heartbeat lulling me to sleep.
Chapter 67
Elle
Archer gets up around 6:00 in the morning to head back to the hotel where he’s supposed to be staying for the football summit. I get up with his alarm, with the full intention of going back to sleep after he leaves.
“You’re lucky I like to steal your sweatshirts.” I say as I hand him a Wolves hoodie from my suitcase. “Now you don’t have to hitch a ride back to the hotel shirtless.”
His smile is warm. “You’re the best.” He says as he bends down to give me a kiss.
“We still need to have that talk, Arch.”
“I know, as soon as I get home on Sunday we will.” He assures me. His ride pulls up and he ducks inside, heading back to his football summit.
I wander back into the still warm bed hoping to get a few more hours of sleep before our boozy brunch Iris planned.
The alarm goes off sooner than I had hoped. We’re all up and ready to go by 10, since our reservation is at 10:30.
The brunch spot is incredibly popular, not a free table to be seen. Our table is laden with eggs benedict, avocado toast, and an endless supply of mimosas.
“Can we just discuss Vi’s dance?” Iris says as she sips her mimosa.
Vi giggles, covering her face with her hands. “Oh my God, he was so intense!”
“Wait?!” I whisper-shriek. “I missed your cowboy dance?! Tell me everything.” I urge Vi.
“Forget telling!” Hallie says, sliding her phone across the table, “We’re showing!” She hits play and the dance is replayed in high def.
Hallie taps the screen, and the table bends in to watch. The clip is short but the chemistry between Vi and The Rattler is undeniable. It shows the entire end of the dance: The Rattler leaning closely, the intimate head tilt, and Vi’s heated expression before The Rattler speaks.
Vi laughs. “And then he leans in, and he doesn’t whisper a dirty joke. He says, ‘Don’t settle for boring, beautiful. Life’s too short.’ And then he walks away. Leaving me hot for cowboys.”
“Wait... he actually said don’t settle?” Maya asks.
“Yep. I tell him I am getting married, and he says I am making a mistake.” She giggles delightedly.
I sip on my mimosa; I missed a lot while riding my owncowboy in the bathroom.
Nia, Vi and Iris’ cousin and the youngest bridesmaid, pipes up, “Hallie, you need to keep that video locked down. Seriously. If that ever gets out—”
“Relax! It’s staying in the bachelorette vault. It’s just too good not to have proof that a cowboy tried to save Vi from the same penis forever.”
I choke on my mimosa as the party giggles, except for poor Nia who seems distraught over the video.
Iris raises her glass. “Look, he is handsome, Vi. And he gave you a great moment. Now, let’s toast to the fact that you are marrying a man who loves you, not some cowboy who gives unsolicited existential advice.”
We all raise our glasses in unison. Cheering to Vi’s happily ever after to the love of her life.
The afternoon sun is a golden haze showering the living room of the Airbnb in an ethereal glow. After taking a power nap after brunch the space has been transformed into what could rival backstage of the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. The large wooden dining table is covered: brushes, primers, curling irons, and bottles of setting spray. It looks like Sephora and Ulta had a turf war on the table.
Vi, is sitting by the windows, letting Iris pin her rainbow hair back into a work of art.
I’m sitting on the couch sliding my cowboy boots on. I learned from my mistake last night, no more heels. I don’t care if they have ‘memory foam soles’, the boots win out over heels every time now.
