“I do.I’mlucky.Everyoneis great, the company is doing well, andIgenuinely enjoy my work.”
“You certainly seem much happier about your job here than you did when you were a police officer inVegas.”
He stared at me a little pensively but also with curiosity.Good.Iliked keeping this man on his toes.AndIwas not the same woman he married all those years ago.Iwas a strong, resilient, and independent woman.
Our food was delivered shortly thereafter, which we ate quickly so we could head back to his place to meet my trainer.Iwas very much looking forward tothatmeeting.
This was about to get very interesting.
6
ANNA
FIVE YEARS AGO
The cab ride back to my place was anxiety-inducing—at least on my end.Iwas both on edge and excited at the same time.
I hadn’t realizedIwas twisting my hands in my lap untilArchertook one of my hands in his.
“You nervous?” he asked me, andIhated thatIwas this transparent.
“A little,”Itold him honestly. “Butin a good way.Like, nervous-excited.”
I smiled up at him, hoping he would believe me, because it was the truth.Hesmiled back as he laced his fingers through mine and stroked his thumb over mine in a calming gesture.
I wasn’t sure why, but just that slight back-and-forth movement had my anxiety easing considerably.
“What’s the first thing you splurged on once you got your big boy job after college?”Iasked, hoping some general conversation would help calm my nerves.
“A huge seventy-inchTV,” he said with a grin.
I shook my head.Ishould have known he’d pick what most men would.
“What about you?Whatwould be your first big purchase after you become a world-famous journalist?”
I laughed nervously. “Idon’t want to be famous.Ijust want to make a difference.Beable to tell people’s stories and help spread the word about things that matter.Butmy first big purchase would be a dog or a cat.IfIdo have to move to take a job,I’dlikely have to live by myself.Itwould be nice to have company.”
“Don’t have much experience with either, but that would be good for you to have some protection.”
“Ahh, ever the cop,”Iteased, and he just smirked.
“If you could have anything in your first apartment or house—no matter the cost—what would it be?” he asked me, butIdidn’t have to think long.Ihad spent many nights of my childhood dreaming of what my dream home would look like, and while some details here and there had changed over the years, there was one thing that never faded.
“A library,”Iresponded. “Aroom that is just filled with books on endless bookshelves and a few different seating options to suit my fancy for whatever bookIwant to read.”
I thought wistfully of how the smell of the books would mesh perfectly with a nice, large leather chair and fresh flowers on some tables next to a large window seat.
I was lost in my dream world whenIfelt his lips on mine.Timefroze as tingles fluttered across my mouth.Itwas brief, butIloved the kiss.
Too soon, he ended it, andIknewIwanted another.
“Sorry, but you looked so damn cute just now, lost in your thoughts,” he said after he pulled back.
“What about you?”Ireturned. “Whatwould be something you have in your dream home?”
“Easy,” he said, shaking his head. “Hottub.Hugeone.”
I chuckled. “Ahh, with your giantTVscreen in front of you?”
