I groan like I’m in pain. And I am. I’m in pain of being worn down by his ridiculousness. I’m also secretly impressed that we have something in common, even if that something relates to our childhoods. I’d even forgive him for admitting he’d only watched the films. Also, there’s no need to admit to having reread the whole Harry Potter series from start to finish last year.
‘Arch.’ Someone vaguely familiar passes us, nodding to Archer and shooting me a quick smile. Someone from IT, maybe? As he begins to trot down the stairs, I take note of what he’s wearing. Dark pants, a white shirt rolled to his elbows, and a vest and flat cap made from matching tweed.
‘What’s with thePeaky Blindersoutfit?’
‘I’d say it was a little moreRoll Out the Barrellthan it is Roaring Twenties, myself.’
‘That was Baz from IT support. Do you reckon he’s into dressing up at the weekends?’ Archer appears tickled by the prospect.
‘I forgot to tell you.’ I cringe a little, though when I try to pull my hand from his, Archer resists. ‘There’s a theme to the wedding.’
‘Oh, Christ. And you didn’t think to tell me?’
‘I forgot.’
‘But you’re not in a fancy dress.’ His eyes fall over me in an unsubtle manner.
‘Because I mostly dress like someone’s nana,’ I say, trying to tug my hand from his hand again.
‘The nana look is more housecoat and cardigan.’ It takes his phone buzzing in his pocket for him to release my hand.
‘There’s nothing wrong with a cardigan.’ Cardigans are like wearing a warm hug. They’re also a little like armour, something you can wrap around yourself when you need protection from the cold or harsh words. I wish I’d worn one now as his thumb slides over his phone then he smiles down at it. I feel a barb of disappointment or maybe jealousy that I can’t hold his attention. Just ridiculous.
‘I have never seen a nana wear a dress like that.’ His gaze whips up from his phone, taking in every inch of my favourite dress again.
Actually, if I was wearing a cardigan, I’d be whipping it off. Archer has certainly perfected the art of the hot look, no matter how insincere.
‘So, are you going to tell me the theme?’ He slides his phone away. ‘Should I have come dressed in my Chewbacca suit?’
‘Ha! As if. I imagine you’d be one of those men who dons a loincloth and gets out a bottle of baby oil when Halloween comes around.’
Archer starts to chuckle, his fingers rubbing against his sharp jaw as I realise, for the first time, he’s taken the trouble to shave. Is it ridiculous that this tickles me on some level? Of course it’s ridiculous. It’s not like he’s chopped of his ear and mailed it to me. The dissolute bad boy look will be back in a few hours.
I wonder what the rasp of a day’s beard growth will feel like.
No. No, I don’t. Because I have no interest, and he’s sleeping on the floor.
‘You look like you’re enjoying that thought.’
‘What?’ My gaze snaps to his, my backbone suddenly rigid.
‘Me in a . . .? Never mind. You were going to tell me about the theme.’
‘Oh, yes. The theme. According to the invitation, it’s Retro Vibe.’
Archer swears under his breath. ‘You might’ve warned me.’
‘Don’t worry.’ I suddenly find myself stepping into him and smoothing his tie against his chest. ‘A good suit never goes out of fashion.’ I realise how unlike me this is. In other words, I make the moment awkward. .. not that Archer appears to have noticed as his gaze darkens, the corner of his mouth hitching up.
‘Did you... just pay me a compliment?’ He was probably anticipating the press of my lips and the amusementthatlittle bit of ridiculousness would bring.
‘A gentleman doesn’t tease.’
‘You know I’m not one of those, right?’
‘Oh, I know it.’ Don’t I know it. I also expect I’ll be even more fully aware by the end of tonight.
‘Come on, then. Let’s go and weave our pretty lies.’ As he tugs on my hand and we begin to descend the stairs, I push away the feeling that at some point in our conversation he was about to tell me something.
