let that settle between them as they held hands and he tried not to think about what would happen after tomorrow’s sun had set and the wedding was finally over.
Chapter 24
Archer woke late to a note on Julian’s empty pillow.
A, I’m heading out early to take care of a couple things, but I’ll be back around one to get ready. I didn’t want to wake you. My dad’s at his cottage and my mom won’t be there. He said to come by if you want some company. -J
Archer traced his finger along the messy, looping scrawl of Julian’s writing. He signed with a flourish, and Archer had no trouble picturing him as a messy-haired, anxious disaster in seventeen-hundreds France penning inflammatory pamphlets regarding the wealthy and royal. He could also see him hunched over a desk by candlelight, muttering to himself and writing erotic love scenes between himself and a secret lover.
Shaking his head out of the fantasy before it went too far out of control, Archer rose from the bed and contemplated a shower before choosing jogging pants and a hoodie instead. He combed his fingers through his hair, then shoved his feet into slippers and made his way down the little street to Fredric’s cottage.
He worried for a second that maybe Jacqueline would be there—that maybe she wasn’t taking the split lying down and would make a scene, but he didn’t hear any shouting when he pressed his ear to the door. After a beat, he steeled his courage and knocked, and he heard a single, sharp bark before it opened.
Fredric was there, holding the door open and smiling gently. “Yes?”
“Uh. Julian said that I could come by.”
Fredric’s smile widened and he shuffled a step back, letting Archer squeeze past him. The dog was on him instantly, snuffling at his hand and nosing at him. “Can I pet him?”
“He’s off duty, which is why his manners are terrible,” Fredric said with a small chuckle. He turned, dragging the tips of his fingers along the wall as he made his way to the living room. Archer knew that the smallest, simplest cottage was meant to punish Julian—but it had only given him and Archer an excuse to stay close, to stay wrapped around each other until morning. He didn’t regret it, even at the sight of Fredric’s spacious place.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Archer said, giving the dog’s ears a last scratch before standing back up. He caught sight of a duffle bag in the corner that was half unpacked with clothes spilling out the side.
“Not at all. I’m sure Julian told you that his mother isn’t staying with me here any longer.”
“Yeah,” Archer said, easing down into a chair. “I mean, he didn’t give me details or anything.”
“Because I didn’t share them.” Fredric grimaced, then pushed himself up to stand. “Do you want coffee or food? I’m assuming you just woke up.”
Archer’s stomach rumbled a little, and he followed Fredric to the little kitchenette where there was coffee in a carafe and pastries sitting in a small white box. “Thanks. I really didn’t want to join the others for breakfast. Uh…I’m sure they’re not thrilled that Julian and I skipped out last night.”
Fredric had a cup of his own coffee halfway to his lips, and he paused with an even bigger grin, shaking his head. “They were not. I was happy for him. For both of you. I take it you had a good night?”
Archer cleared his throat, blushing hard as he reached past Fredric for one of the paper mugs. “Actually, it was really nice. We went to the Spanish Quarter and walked around. They had this holiday light display in the courtyard, and carolers and stuff. I’ve never done that before.”
“Do you celebrate Christmas?” Fredric asked, stepping aside so Archer could get to the pastry box.
“Uh. Technically?” He put two of the danishes on a napkin, and the pair made their way back to the sitting room. Easing back into the chair, Archer kicked his foot up on the edge of the table and took a long drink of the bitter coffee. “My brother always tried to do gifts and stuff, but there was never anything…you know…special about it. We didn’t have family, so.” He stopped, biting his lip before distracting himself by peeling away the top layer of pastry. “Sorry, that got depressing.”
Fredric chuckled. “It’s fine. My family didn’t do holidays, and I only got roped in because Jacqueline’s always had a big banquet every