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“I’m just tired.” I know he doesn’t believe me, so I rush forward. “Hey, did you send a giant chicken singing gram to my dad?”
His features fall, and his eyes widen as he curses under his breath. “I forgot to cancel that one. It showed up during the potluck, didn’t it?”
I nod, feeling a small boost in my mood. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
He rubs his fingers against his brow. “I really am sorry about that. I’m going to have to double check to make sure I didn’t order anything else.” He drops his hand. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
“A while ago.” As my legs begin to shake, I realize just how long-ago morning was, but I definitely don’t want to go back to the potluck. “I’ve done a lot of socializing today. I’m kinda burnt out.”
Archer drops his gaze. “Gotcha.”
I wince, realizing how my words were taken. “Burnt out from socializing at the festival, I mean.”
His smile returns. “What do you say about two exhausted business associates grabbing some takeout for a business dinner while watching the movie night from a field far away in the back of a truck so we don’t have to be seen or spoken to?”
I fold my arms and narrow my eyes. “It sounds like heaven. If it didn’t also sound like a date.”
“I said business associates. We wouldn’t even have to talk about anything other than...business stuff.”
“And you wouldn’t be tempted to turn it into anything romantic?” I ask only to keep up the pretense that I don’t want to date him, even though I’m pretty sure we’re both aware of where I stand now—perhaps where I’ve always stood.
“I’d be tempted, sure,” he returns. “But I know what I have to do to earn that.”
My heart twists unexpectedly at his words. He’s doing everything he can to check off the tasks I’ve given him—earning Dad’s approval and helping me find out who Dad’s dating.
Honestly, Archer has more than proven himself. Why am I making this so hard on him?
“Have fun, Juliet.”
Dad’s suggestion lingers in my mind. He told me to do something for myself, to have fun and to rest. And being with Archer is the only thing I want right now.
Dad wouldn’t approve, but what if I don’t approve of some of the women he’s dating? He’s not giving me the chance to even share my opinion, yet he hasn’t hesitated to share his own.
“No pressure,” Archer continues. “It’s okay if you’d rather...”
His words trail off as I shake my head. “I’d love to.”
Juliet
Archer looks stunned, then a brilliant smile stretches across his lips. “It’s a professional work-dinner, not-date, then.”
“I have to take my dad’s car home first. And get into something warmer.”
“I’ll grab the food. You okay with pulled pork sandwiches?”
“Sounds great.”
“I’ll pick you up when I have them. Thirty minutes or so.”
My heart is already lighter.
I leave behind the river and the town and take the SUV home, racing around to get ready, fixing my makeup and hair before grabbing warmer pants and a coat.
I set Dad’s key on the key rack near the front door and head to the window, waiting for Archer like a pathetic dog expecting the return of its owner.
