And here he thought the diner would be a safe space.
“Not sure about Paige,” Archer answered. “But I got in a little after midnight. Bailey—that’s her name, right?”
“Yes,” Violet confirmed.
“She was kind enough to let me grab a nap in one of the rooms if I promised to be out early.”
“They don’t have any vacancies,” Simon told Violet. “The wedding party’s startin’ to come in today and tomorrow.”
“Well, I wish I had a guest room,” she told Archer. “Or even a couch that was long enough.”
Archer winked. “Thanks, darlin’. I’m good. I’m gonna kick Simon outta his bed.”
“Where willyoustay?” Violet asked, her hand sliding higher on his thigh when she turned to look at him.
She looked so sweet, so innocent. Unless they had a camera under the table, no one would know that she was now rubbing her pinky along the ridge of his dick.
He grunted, not sure he trusted his voice at the moment.
Simon could feel Archer’s eyes on them and knew he was going to get hell for this later. They didn’t just work together; they were friends, so he didn’t doubt for a second that Archer could tell Violet wasn’t a passing fancy for him.
“I’ll figure somethin’ out,” he assured her, gripping her wrist and halting her hand.
The smile she flashed told him she knew exactly what she was doing.
He gave her one in return, and the glint in his eyes offered the promise of punishment.
“How’s your grandmother?” Violet asked Archer.
“Nana’s fantastic,” Archer said, his love for the woman who raised him evident in his town. “I finally got her deck finished. Now she’s lookin’ forward to watchin’ the deer.”
“He got the deck finished,” Violet said, shaking Simon’s leg with excitement.
God, she was adorable. “I heard.”
Simon pretended not to notice all the people staring their way. He knew from experience that they were watching Archer. The man turned heads no matter where he went. Part of it was due to his size, the rest due to his overwhelming personality. The guy was like a giant teddy bear. A lethal giant teddy bear, mind you, since he’d spent six years being trained by Uncle Sam. Histime as a Marine scout sniper had hardened something inside him, but most people never saw that side of him.
“I take it you listen to the podcast,” Archer said.
Violet shrugged. “From time to time.”
Simon grinned. Based on their conversation on Sunday, Violet had listened to every single episode.
An hour later, after they finished breakfast and Violet managed to drag every detail she could from Archer, Simon was walking into the bookstore with her. He’d sent Archer back to the B and B, assuring him he would be there shortly. Then, he’d purposely ignored the knowing smirk on his friend’s face.
“You didn’t have to walk me to work,” Violet said, reaching for the sign hanging on the door.
Simon grabbed her wrist. “Leave it for a minute.”
He then flipped the lock, ensuring no one could interrupt, before leading her to the back of the store.
The fact she was giggling told him she was well aware of what she’d done to him.
“I think you should wear skirts to work every day.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because it makes for easy access,” he said, turning her so that she was standing by the highest end of one of the chaise loungers.
