“That’s...” He shakes his head, but he’s still smiling. “We’re going to have problems with road trip playlists.”
The car glides past the illuminated shops of Chocolate Row, their windows still glowing with heart-shaped displays. In the distance, the arched silhouette of Lock & Key Bridge rises against the night sky. I turn my head to look at it, a familiar ache building, and when I glance back, Archie’s watching me with a question in his eyes.
“Good thing we’re not planning any road trips,” I say.
“Right.” The smile fades slightly. “One night. That’s the deal.”
I should nod and confirm that after tonight, we go back to being strangers. That’s what I promised.
Instead, I say, “Well, the things you do for the person you love.”
I meant it as a joke, but neither of us is laughing.
I can’t read Archie’s expression in the dim light of the car, but I can feel his focus.
I should take it back. Laugh it off. Pretend I didn’t just drop the L-word into a conversation with a man who is a stranger to me.
But when I risk a glance at him, he’s not looking at me like I said the wrong thing. He’s looking at me like he’s actually looking forward to tonight.
The car turns onto a tree-lined drive, and the Gilded Hart Hotel rises before us—a grand Victorian mansion ablaze with light. Fairy lights drape the facade in golden cascades, and tasteful red velvet bows accent the entrance. A doorman in burgundy livery stands beneath the portico.
Archie gets out first. He circles to my side and stands waiting as the driver opens my door.
He extends his hand.
I place my palm in his, and his fingers curl around mine, guiding me smoothly out of the car.
“Ready?” he asks.
CHAPTER 5
ARCHIE
The Gilded Hart’s ballroom looks like you’d expect a Valentine’s Day celebration to look. Crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths, red roses on every surface, a string quartet in the corner.
But I can’t focus on any of it. Tessa’s hand is in mine, and nothing has ever felt so right.
“Archie!” Margie materializes out of nowhere, champagne in hand, Brad trailing behind her. “You made it!”
“You threatened bodily harm if I didn’t.”
“I would never.” She’s already looking past me to Tessa. “Oh my God, that dress. You look stunning.”
“Thank you.” Tessa squeezes my hand before releasing it to accept Margie’s hug. “This looks like something out of a fairy tale.”
“Come on, I have to introduce you to everyone.” Margie loops her arm through Tessa’s like they’re old friends. “Archie, get your girlfriend a drink and catch up with us.”
She sweeps Tessa away before I can protest. I head for the bar, ordering whiskey for myself and red wine for Tessa. As I wait, I realize I don’t know her wine preference. Merlot or Cabernet? Dry or sweet?
When I find her again, she’s standing with a group of women near the dance floor, and I watch as one of the women gasps and grabs her arm.
“Wait. Aren’t you Curvy Cupid? From Instagram?” The woman turns to her companions. “Her post about knowing your worth changed my life.”
“That’s so kind.” Tessa’s voice is warm, but the light in her eyes has gone flat. I’ve worked with enough celebrities to recognize the practiced brightness of someone who’s had this conversation a thousand times.
I press the wine glass into her hand, letting my fingers brush hers. The gratitude in her expression catches in my throat.
“Ladies. Mind if I steal her?”
