Archer was incensed. "I own a billion-dollar hotel company. The majority of our hotels are in historic buildings. I better know how to fix stuff," he said as he took off his jacket.
Suddenly I was very aware there was a man in my apartment.
"See something you like?" he asked, slowly unbuttoning his dress shirt. He removed it, his undershirt, and his watch, laying them on the couch. Then he walked over to me, bare chested. His muscles rippled, and suddenly I was very glad I'd had a cold shower. I was thinking I might need another one. "As much as I want to act out a seventies porno flick with you, in the starring role of the plumber, I'd like for you to have hot water," Archer said lightly.
I followed him downstairs. He took a toolbox out of the back of his sports car.
"Take me to your boiler," he said.
"This is really something," he remarked after I led him to the ancient nineteen-thirties tankless water heater in the basement. "When was the last time this thing was serviced?" he asked.
I shrugged. "Decades?" The water heater was crusted over, but I could still see a hint of the intricate design stamped in it. "A factory in town used to make them."
A giant cricket jumped out from under the heater. I screamed.
"It's not going to hurt you," Archer said. "They don't bite." He flicked the bug off his pants leg. "You need to spray."
"I hate coming down here," I complained.
"Go upstairs, then. I'll take care of it," he said and turned back to the heater.
I didn't want to go off and leave him alone, so I waited in the hallway of the café that led to the basement stairs. I texted my friends while listening to the banging and clanking.
Hazel:Archer showed up at my apartment.
Olivia:No! He just showed up?
Hazel:Water heater issues. He's fixing it.
Jemma:OMG he's fixing your water heater.
Hazel:He took his shirt off to do it.
Jemma:Holy testosterone.
I had to admit I was glad Archer was there fixing it. I didn't know how to do it, and I certainly didn't have money to pay someone to do it.
After about fifteen minutes, Archer came back upstairs. His hair was messy, and he had streaks of dirt on his face and chest.
"I guess it's a good thing you took off your nice shirt," I said.
"You just wanted to see me with my shirt off," he said with a crooked smile.
"Did you fix it?"
"The heater is covered in mineral deposits. I need to flush it. Do you have vinegar?"
I lugged out a jug of white vinegar and handed it to him. He poured it in the tank along with some boiling water and let it sit.
"We don't want to leave it in there too long. The tank will corrode," Archer said, setting a timer on my phone and sitting down at one of the tables.
I was suddenly very aware of him shirtless in my café.
"I hope no one comes in here expecting a drink," I joked. "This might be a public health hazard."
He raised an eyebrow. "I think actually having sex in here would be a public health hazard."
I gulped. Was it flirting? An offer?
