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“We won’t let that happen this year.”

He looked up at her, brow raised. “Good luck with that.”

She ignored him and opened up the document design file on her computer. “I’m going to squeeze it in before talking about the party. I’m estimating it will take five minutes.”

Archer didn’t reply at first. She listened as he unscrewed the bottle of dressing, then to the sound of tossing salads moments later. “Have you done this before? Run meetings?”

She shrugged. “No. But I did learn a bit about business management, which I think will help.”

“You seem good at it.”

She felt her face flush and quicked a glance at Archer. His eyes were on the bowls and not on her, unaware of the ridiculous way she was reacting to his compliment. Despite their shared lunch hours and the one time they had dinner together, their relationship was a business one. They didn’t talk much, and based on the way Archer acted around her after what she said over pizza crusts last week, she had a feeling he wanted it that way.

She shook out of it, watching as he opened his fridge. “I also joined the loon committee.”

He paused, the fridge door open. “Seriously?”

Her stomach dropped. “I mean, the association did email everyone saying they would love if one person from our resort was represented on the committee, and we all know that really means do it or you’re bear food, so I thought I could do it that way no one else would…”

Her words faded out as Archer closed the door. He wasn’t mad. He looked—amused. Or at least as amused as one could look with a blue mask on their face.

She glared at him. “Don’t make fun of me.”

He held up his hands. “Hey, I’m not the one walking around with loon books all the time.”

She continued to glare. “I think they are fascinating.”

“God, you are still such a nerd.”

“There’s nothing wrong with learning!”

“Absolutely. Someone has to love it.”

“I do love it, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He placed two cans of lemon seltzer on the counter, then opened his silverware drawer and retrieved two forks. “I’m pretty sure you’re the only person I’ve ever seen read a textbook on loons from start to finish in one week.”

She felt her face go hot again as she saved the updated document for the meeting’s agenda, then hit print. “Did you know loons are loyal to their breeding territories and return to the spots where they nest each year?”

Archer looked out at the gray lake that matched the stormy clouds in the sky. “No, I didn’t.”

The air shifted between them. Her throat tightened. She went to grab her salad, desperate to change the subject. “So it’s raining outside.”

“Thank you, captain obvious.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, but we can’t eat outside, then.”

His eyes widened. “Oh, I see.” He scanned his cabin. “I’ll eat on the couch, you eat at the table.”

“I think—” Her words died in her throat.

His brows knitted together. “Think what? Spit it out.”

She sighed. “It’s been two weeks since I arrived, and I think we’ve spent enough time together that we’re probably…um…okay?”

Tea watched his jaw work underneath his mask.

“Unless that makes you uncomfortable,” she blurted. “But we only went to town once and I tested negative when I arrived—”