Lyra snapped her fingers in front ofCatalina’seyes, and she broke out of the spell.She wavedLyraon with wagging fingers.“Go, leave for the day.You’vebeen here since four this morning.”She gave her a wink.
Lyra whipped off her apron and tossed it into her office, grabbed her purse, and headed out.Archer held the passenger door open for her, closing it before getting in on his side.
The employees were all at the window watching.Oh, brother.
Archer seemed content as he wove through midday traffic.So, what,he’dmoved on?Acceptedtheir predicament?Hedidn’tlook like a manwho’dbeen suffering without her and was about to profess his…well, not love, not this soon.But hisdevotion maybe.
“You know, it’s considered a tease to say you want to talk and then not talk,”Lyra said when shecouldn’tstand the silence anymore.
He looked genuinely contrite.“Sorry.Idon’twant to talk in the car.I thoughtwe’dgo somewhere quiet for a drink.”
“Someplace where they serve absinthe in that complicated way?”
He gave her a heart-stopping smile.“Exactly.I thought it would be the best place.Youcan’tbeat the view.”
Then he settled back into an annoying silence thatlether think too much.
“How is the baby?”heasked after a few more minutes.“See…talking.”
Damn, she was so in love with him.“Oh,she’sgreat.Huff named her Sarina.He is completely smitten, and I get to be a doting sort-of aunt.”
Now hewassmiling.Hadshe said something funny?Dumb?
“Just enjoying your enthusiasm,”he said, as thoughhe’dread her mind.Maybe he’dpicked up her feelings.
“It doesn’t hurt?”
He shrugged.“Not much.”
A few minutes later, he pulled intothe Raphael’sparking garageand into his designated spot.Hetookout his phone and texted someone, then slipped it back into his pocket.He looked at her, which made her stomach go all to jelly.“Shall we?”
Oh my,yes.“Sure.”
He ushered her toward the elevator.Walking through the garage gave her shivers, remembering those wraiths.Shecouldn’thelp but look around, just to make sure.Butall ofthe expensive cars sat in their spots with nary a shadow crawling around them.
* * *
Archer’scondoseemed different.It still had cool undertones and clean lines, but there were touches of color here and there.Touches of…yellow.A hugecanvas of ithung on one wall, nothing but a square of yellow.Yellow pillows on the white leather wraparound couch.A yellow vase filled with daisies on the counter.She searched his face, but he gave nothing away.
“You really want an absinthe?”heasked as he pulled down two glasses.“Iseem to recallyour reaction to the last one I made you.Idon’twant you to think thatI’mtrying to get rid of you.”
She gave him a soft sigh.“They’vegrown on me.Like you grew on me.”
He came around the bar to stand in front of her.“I wanted to see if you still felt the same.About me.”
“Yes, damn it.Of course,I’msure you can feel it.We knew each other for, what, twelve hours?Sure, we went through a lot together, but still, to think about you every minute, to ache?—”
Archer kissed her.She was lost, except for that tiny voice that echoed in her head:What does this mean?Because she could never be with him knowing it caused him pain.
He finished the kiss and stepped back.“Me,too.”
Hope and trepidation twined in her stomach, making him wince.“Archer…”
The doorbell chimed.No,not now!
Hedidn’tlook the least bit annoyed that someone was interrupting their moment.In fact, hedidn’tseem surprised to see Kye standing there.He invited her in.
She was dressed in normal clothing, jeans and a black shirt, no spikes or jacket.“Hi,Archer,Lyra.”She gave them both a nod, her beautiful faceveryserious.“Are you ready to do this?”
