Be the boss babe.
"Thank you for coming," I said, trying to project confidence. "As you've seen on the posters, we're making arts and culture improvements to Harrogate. Some of you have been participating in my art retreat."
"Woo! Dildos!" Ida yelled.
Her sister, Edna, shot her a scathing look. "We're trying to make Harrogate a place of high culture, not some sort of back-alley porn shop, Ida."
"Maybe that will be my new business," I said with a laugh. Crickets. "It was a joke." I gulped. I risked a glance at Archer. He was shaking with silent laughter. Hunter elbowed him.
"These posters show the headliner project. It's an art trail sponsored by Svensson PharmaTech."
The crowd applauded.
"It's going to be built soon," I said to the several raised hands. "It has to be. The judges are coming in a few weeks, so we need all hands on deck. Svensson PharmaTech is doing a day of service this coming weekend. I see some of the PharmaTech employees here, so thank you."
"Hey, this is going to raise my property values, so sure I'll put on a sun hat and some garden gloves," one man said, eliciting laughs from the audience.
"That's the spirit! We have online signup sheets on the tablets near the entrance. Please sign up. We need help prepping sites for murals. The historic buildings need to be cleaned, plus there are flowers to plant. To welcome the judges, we will also be hosting a black-tie gala at the Mast Brothers' chocolate factory. Tickets are on sale. All proceeds go toward the Harrogate Trust."
* * *
"You were great!"Archer said when we were back in front of my café. He'd driven me home after I fielded questions for an hour after the town hall meeting.
"I just hope we have a lot of volunteers," I said as I unlocked the door.
"Am I invited inside?" he asked, leaning over me, his forearm resting on the brick wall. His expression was warm and somewhat dangerous.
"You're always invited," I said, pushing the door open.
"I'm not fucking you in that crappy rickety bed anymore," he growled as he nipped my ear and wrapped his arms around me. His hands slipped under my shirt to cup my breasts. I moaned against his mouth. "Have I told you how much I like your tits?" he asked, kissing my ear and pushing me up against the counter.
Right as I was about to suggest another round of sex in the café, someone yelled outside.
"What was that?" I gasped.
Archer tensed up. "Just—I'll be back later. Don't wait up." He kissed me and left.
What the hell?
40
Archer
Iheard my mother outside. After unceremoniously shooing Hazel upstairs and cursing the fact that I had yet again not fucked her in a hotel, I went outside, locking the door and softly closing it behind me.
My mother was standing out on the sidewalk. She hurried over when she saw me. "Archer! Baby."
"Stop," I ordered, pushing her away. "I can't believe you."
"I just want what's best for you." She started to cry.
I was unmoved. "You want money."
"I want you to be happy! This girl, Hazel, isn't going to make you happy. You need to be with McKenna. She would be good to you. I saw videos of you two all over the gossip websites. You're great together."
I blew out a breath in annoyance. "Never going to happen."
My mother started to protest.
