“Yes, sir!” I answer eagerly, causing Archie to growl.
“Oh, Kay-baby, don’t say stuff like that to me.” He taps on his forehead with his fist.
“Shit, I forgot that you are kinky.”
He shoots me a megawatt smile and winks. I roll my eyes as I move some hair out of my face.
“You have no idea.” But there, just for a moment, I can see his face darken. In the blink of an eye, he is all rainbows and sunshine again. "So, what are we doing about him?” Archie nods toward where Justin’s sitting. “Do I get the story on that sometime since the tables have clearly turned?”
“Not unless you have a whole week to spare to listen to the bullshit in between," I can hear the bitterness of my tone, and I take a sip of water. "And some of it isn't even my story to tell."
“Ouch, well, you could always give me bits and pieces later. So what do you think about our partnership?” Archie sits forward.
"I'm in." The words come out, and I feel a weight being lifted from my shoulders.
“Great! I already have the onboarding papers filled out for you, so if you want, I can get you started!" Archie reaches into his pocket and grabs his phone, leaning in as if for a kiss on the cheek. “So, are you planning to leave this place?”
“You’re just as bad as the locals are, nosy.” I tease him and remind myself not to pinch the pervert.
"Hey, I want to know who's going to be working for me! It's not my job to do a background check, but it's definitely important to know if you're a good troublemaker or a bad one." Archie smiles at me, and I try to smile back, but something in my chest feels like it’s sinking with all the emotions I’ve been holding back. “Oh, wait, I didn't mean anything by that.”
I suppose it showed on my face, considering the immediate apologetic look he gives me. He puts his hand over mine. “No, it’s fine, just that long story of bullshit I was talking about. A lot of the reason I honestly want to be done with some of the people here. Don’t get me wrong, most of them are nice—”
“But not all of them.”
“No.”
“Got it.” He moves his chair closer to me and puts his hand over mine in a reassuring gesture. “I won’t pry tonight but expect me to be curious for a while longer.” Scrolling through different classes offered and required to pass the exam, I smile at Archie being business-like. The setting is different from the others we’ve been in, and I’m surprised at his flexible personality.
I glance back and see Justin staring at us without even pretending he isn’t. Once he notices me watching him, his face transforms into a mask of fury, and he quickly turns around.
“Okay, we need to move somewhere private to talk," I tell him while poking his hand, still laid over mine in a comforting gesture. Unlike Alex, who despised being touched after the war, Archie seems to be a very physical person, from what I can tell. He raises his brow in question, and I use my eyes to point to Justin. Archie not too subtly stares back at him before scooting closer to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "What are you-"
"It's fine; you don't have to be shy around me. Oh man, do I love to play some games." Archie winks at me, and I can feel Justin boiling like a tea kettle about to blow. "So anyway, if you want to leave thisfinetown, you can stay at my place for a while until you find something for yourself. Trust me, I have a lot of empty space." I know he's flirting to piss Justin off, but I can also see a genuine offer behind the playful look in his eye. Something tells me Archie is a reliable guy, and he understands way more than he gets on.
“I think I want to move on.” With my words, I imagine an arrow sent directly at Justin’s stupid face. I peek around Archie for a moment, curious to see the expression he makes. To my surprise, he looks a little regretful,too little, too late.His hands unclench, and he moves as if he's about to approach us when Marina smacks a plate full of food in front of him.
“I’m happy to hear that.” The whispered words draw me out of my haze. Then Archie pours more oil on the fire by lightly tugging on my hair. “It’s a cool idea you have- to change the color with your mood. I just tend to ink a new tattoo. Maybe I should try your method.”
I'm sure from the outside, it looks intimate, and Justin has had enough. My gaze follows Justin as he stomps over. By the big breaths he’s taking, I can almost imagine he’s trying to blow away a house. Shockingly enough, his tone is gentle.
“Kayla.” The calmness in his voice is scarier than his wrath. He pauses for a long time, searching my eyes, and making me squirm. “I need to speak with you when you’re done with your…” he glares at Archie, “meeting. Text me later.” There isn’t an angry bang on the table or threat to make me come see him, not even the usual huff afterward or glaring eyes. Watching him walk away, I feel Archie's arm drop down, and he puts his phone away.
"I sent you all the information, and we can go over it tomorrow if you're still walking by then. For now, go jump his bones, would you? This morning he made it very clear not to come around you, or else. Little does he know, I like pain.” He winks at me. “I kinda like the guy. Those intense people are the best ones. And besides that, I think if you don’t, somebody else will.” He nods outside where Ashley is approaching Justin, who’s leaning on the passenger side of his truck and watching us through the window.
“Right, thanks, Archie,” I wave him off as my feet begin carrying me to Justin on their own accord, just as jealousy rises up my belly.
“Take care, Kay-baby.” He gives me a kiss and walks outside.
I collect our plates and carry them to the kitchen. Marina watches me with a satisfied smile on her face.
“What?” I ask.
“He finally pulled his head out of his ass, I see.”
“Not by his own will.” I roll my eyes.
"Who cares? It's out; live with it." She shrugs.
