Dirty (Unexpected Lovers #3) - J.B. Heller Page 0,37
Maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing, and nobody will care. Maybe it’s all in my head.
“I think you’re trying to protect yourself by making up reasons you shouldn’t go public,” Kinsley says. “If you don’t go public, then it’s not really real.”
I swallow, staring at my friend. She smiles softly, placing her hand atop mine. “It’s okay to be afraid, Lenny,” she says. “Love is scary.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” I mutter. “I’ve never been so terrified in all my life.”
“Girl, you’re preaching to the choir,” Em chuckles. “Now throw a surprise pregnancy on top of that, then we can talk.”
I flip her off. “Don’t say that shit to me; you’ll jinx me. I’ll leave the baby-making to you guys. This factory is closed for business, indefinitely.”
“That’s what you say now.” Em smirks.
I glare at her. And she throws her head back, cackling.
I shake my head, grinning. God, I love my girls.
When I get home, I know what I need to do.
Archer is kicked back on the couch, watching an episode of The Boys with a beer in his hand.
“Hey, you,” I say, collapsing half on top of him.
He throws his arm around my shoulders, tugging me closer, and presses a kiss to my temple. “Hey, baby, you have a good girls’ night?”
“Yeah, I did,” I tell him. “Arlo even joined us for a while. What about you?”
“Can’t complain. Just been chillin’ out, waiting for you to get home. Bates is off with some chick he met hangin’ out outside the stadium after practice today.”
“I really need to talk to him about cutting down on the random hookups, or at least spacing them out a bit more. That’s, what, the third girl this week, right?” I ask.
Archer nods. “Something like that.”
I shake my head and sigh. Bates and his conquests are an issue for another day. “So, I was thinking we could maybe go out for dinner tomorrow night . . .”
“Seriously?” Arch says, shifting so he can look at me.
“Yeah,” I mumble. “What do you think?”
His smile takes over his entire face. “Shit yeah. Let’s do it. Have you got somewhere in mind, or can I plan it?”
I laugh nervously. “Uh, asking you was as far as I’d gotten in the planning stage.”
“Great, leave it with me, and I’ll sort it,” he says, kissing my temple then settling further into the cushions and tugging me back to his side.
We watch two more episodes before I fall asleep, and Arch carries me to bed then climbs in behind me.
I could get used to this.
ARCHER: I know this is a big deal for you, so I chose somewhere low-key. You know Juan’s downtown? We went there with Bates and your parents last time they were in the city. I’m going to have to meet you there, though. Coach wants to see me after practice. So I’ll catch you there at 6.
I look at the text from Archer one last time then toss my cell in my bag.
Given my love of Mexican food, I’m going to go with stretchy pants. I grab my favorite black jeggings and a loose, silky, scoop-neck top before throwing them on and grabbing my Docs from my closet.
Bates walks past my open bedroom door, pausing in the doorway. “You’re going to be late,” he says, hands braced on the top of the frame. “Having second thoughts?”
I glance at my watch, panic surging to the fore when I realize it must be broken. It still says it’s five to five. “Shit, shit, shit,” I chant, riffling through my bag, trying to find my cell. I spot the shiny red case and grab it. “Oh, my God,” I groan. It’s quarter to six. I’ll never make it on time.
“Chill out,” Bates says, coming in and sitting on the end of my bed. “Order an Uber, then text Arch that you’re running late. No biggy.”
“Yes, it is. This is our first date, and I’m screwing it up before it’s even started,” I whine while ordering my ride.
I catch Bates rolling his eyes at me. “Dial down the drama meter, Lenny. You’ll be, like, ten minutes late.”
Ignoring him, I shoot Archer a text.
LENNON: I’m sorry. My watch died, and now I’m running late. I’ll be on my way in five.
He replies almost instantly.
ARCHER: All good, babe. I’m not there yet, but I’ll just grab a beer while I’m waiting.
“He’s fine with it, isn’t he?” Bates asks, a knowing smirk on his stupid face.
“Yes,” I mutter, grabbing my leather