"I don't need your charity," she yelled, pushing me toward the stairs. "Just go away."
I headed back to the car, dodging the fat, slightly cool raindrops.
I should have stayed in Manhattan. And I can't even go to Hazel's bar because she's mad at me for some reason.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost ran into McKenna, who was standing in front of my car.
"Archer," she cooed.
"I thought you had finally given up on Harrogate," I said coldly.
She laughed brightly, then before I could stop her, she wrapped her arms around me and kissed me. "Hardly," she said against my mouth. "I wanted to rekindle what we had."
15
Hazel
Maybe I had been too harsh on Archer. He did give me a ride and let me drive his car. I looked out the window to see if it was too late to run after him. That's when I saw him and McKenna kissing. It was a hot, movie-worthy, steamy, summer-rain kiss. I was instantly jealous.
Hazel:Archer's making out with McKenna in front of my café.
Jemma:??? Why is he in front of your café?
Olivia:McKenna's trying to send a message.
Hazel:Archer drove me home from Manhattan.
Jemma:So why is he kissing McKenna? He clearly wants you.
Hazel:He was just being polite.
Jemma:Did he ask to come inside?
Hazel:Came inside then I threw him out. He saw my closet bedroom and figured out I live in my café. I don't even have a house. He offered to give me a hotel room.
Jemma:You're killing me. I'm literally dying on your behalf. If a good-looking guy offers to put you up in a hotel he owns you should at least consider it. You definitely don't kick him out!
Olivia:If you hadn't he would be kissing you instead of McKenna. This was the universe giving you an opening and you blew it.
Hazel:Or what if all the flirting was just for show? Maybe he doesn't want someone like me.
But did I want someone like him? I mean, who was I kidding? Of course I did. He was attractive, fun, cared about his family, and appreciated art.
* * *
The next morningwe had an art committee meeting scheduled. I was there early and watched Archer stumble in late. He was followed by McKenna. Had they been together? Why did I even care? I seriously wished I hadn't kicked him out.
"Let's call this committee meeting to order," I said, trying to keep the annoyance off my face as McKenna smiled softly at Archer.
Did they or didn't they?I gripped the pen.
"The Svenssons have contributed a large amount of funds for improvements to help Harrogate win the Art Zurich Expo," I said. "Let's all present our ideas for how to best allocate these funds for maximum impact."
"First," Archer said, "we should have some marketing collateral about how easy it is to navigate around the city and how easy it is to reach Harrogate from the international airport."
"Maybe Josie can help us with presentations and brochures," I said, writing a note.
"We should do a bike share," Jemma added.
