The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,18

noise, only to find Finn, standing there, his mouth slightly parted, his eyes glued to the place Rose had just been standing. He’d dropped the suitcase he was holding. If the look on his face was anything to go by, the guy was spellbound. And I could totally understand why. Our roommate didn’t know it, but her natural beauty paired with that curvaceous figure was a two-punch shot to the gut. One that Finn was currently trying to recover from as Dex laughed and elbowed him in the arm.

“Close your mouth, Romeo,” he said. “She’s gone, and you’re drooling.”

Shaking himself, Finn blushed again, pushed his brother away—but I thought I caught him sneaking another glance at the door to Rose’s room.

“Come on, Junebug,” Baylor said, missing the wince June directed his way. “Let’s put this stuff down. There’s still more to unload.”

“Ugh, I hate that name,” she mumbled, but he didn’t seem to hear. “And of course, you’d choose me to do the grunt work and help you unload more stuff.”

“Don’t be silly.” Taking the suitcase from her, placing both it and the box he’d brought up next to the couch, he pulled June to him in a one-armed hug. “These women desire me to leave their sacred lady space,” he said. “Plus you know, I’d rather move boxes with you than anyone.”

“Alright fine,” she sighed, though she was smiling as she said it.

Baylor seemed oblivious to that as well as they left the room.

“Listen,” Emmy said then took a deep breath, “I know you guys have this big rule and everything, but…” She lifted her chin. “They’re my brothers. And I didn’t even call them; I only told June and Dex, who must’ve spread the word.”

“Hey,” Dex scoffed, “I only called Finn because I thought we could use the help. Not to be rude, Emmy, but you do have a lot of stuff for such a little person.”

“Yeah,” Finn said, “and Bay kept bugging me about where we were going until I finally told him. The way he gossips I’m actually surprised Chase and Archer aren’t here, too.”

My heart skipped a beat at the last name, and I almost missed what was said next.

“They had extra practice with Bear,” Dex said. “I’m guessing they were too tired to come.”

A sense of calm washed over me at that, but I also felt a sting of disappointment. Had I actually wanted to see Archer again? And risk the embarrassment that had followed each and every one of our encounters so far? The answer was a bit surprising even to me.

Emmy shook her head at them. “You’re lucky I love you all so much.” Then turning back to Charlie and me, she added, “I promise, I never intended break any rules or invade your space. Sorry about that. It won’t happen again.”

I looked to Charlie, and after an eyeroll, she nodded.

“Okay,” she said. “But if I catch another one of them with my underwear, somebody’s losing a finger.”

Emmy laughed. “Agreed. Though they’re not so bad once you get to know them.”

Footsteps sounded on the porch, and suddenly, more people filed into the room—but it wasn’t who I expected.

“Aw love you, too, sis,” Chase said, Baylor and June following close behind. Archer came in last, bringing up the rear. Even with his head down as he adjusted the box in his arms, he was just as beautiful as I remembered.

“What do you have in here, Emmy? Rocks?” Archer said as he stopped just inside the door. My heart began to beat triple-time as our eyes locked.

Beside me, Charlie threw up her hands. “And they just keep multiplying!”

I wanted to laugh and cry as Archer’s lips turned up at the corners. But strangely, I couldn’t do either. My fight or flight response should’ve kicked in, but instead, I just froze. Waiting for…well, I didn’t exactly know.

His steps were sure as he walked toward me, and that’s when I realized.

Him.

I’d been waiting for him to make the first move, so I could figure out how to proceed, which was all kinds of stupid because he looked completely okay with that role. More than okay. Unlike me, Archer looked confident as heck as he stopped right in front of me, wearing a barely-there smile that could make a girl do crazy things.

The only thing I knew for certain: Guys like him and girls like me didn’t mix.

This couldn’t end well.

My brain was in full agreement, but by the fluttering of my heart, she hadn’t gotten the