Then we went to a cheesy gift shop where I bought the Tastykakes and the mini Liberty Bell, both of which I swore I'd always keep on my night table, like a symbol of my independence."
"Wow ... the Liberty Bell as a symbol of independence. I'm amazed no one else ever thought of that."
"I didn't say it was original."
Archer sat on my bed and plucked up the Tastykakes again. "I actually don't think these go bad."
"You wouldn't—"
"They're Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes. I love Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes."
"I'll buy you Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes."
"But these are right here. And you've only offered me dry Mini-Wheats. No jury would convict me."
"Archer..."
Archer held the package to his nose. "Mmm. Peanut buttery."
"Archer!"
"Want to split them?" he asked, and crinkled the package as if he were about to rip it open.
"Archer!" I leaped onto the bed and grabbed for the Tastykakes, but he leaned back, holding it just out of my reach. I lunged for it, but he quickly rolled off the other side of the bed. I pounced after him and raced around the room to catch him before he could open the package. I finally tackled him back onto the bed, pinning him down with my body so I could snatch the package away.
"HA!" I cried. I rolled onto my back and brandished the Tastykakes in triumph.
"Well done," Archer said, but when I looked over to rub in my victory, I froze.
He had propped himself up on one elbow and was gazing down at me. Our faces were inches away from each other, and I recognized something in his eyes: a look I saw when he read his lines as Cyrano, opening his heart to Roxanne.
I couldn't move. I made my breath shallow. I didn't want to do anything the least bit jarring. I didn't want to break the mood and stop what I knew was about to happen.
Only it didn't.
We stayed like that, lying side by side on my bed, all alone in the house, our eyes locked together...
Then the doorbell rang, and the spell was broken.
The repair guy.
We ran downstairs to open the door, then Archer and I went back to our books like nothing had happened.
I didn't want to tell Claudia about it. I'd actually stopped calling her lately, or only called when I knew I'd have to get off the phone in a second. I let her calls go to voice mail, and I answered her texts and e-mails as vaguely as possible.
I knew it was wrong. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk to her, but I didn't want to hear what I knew she'd say. It had already been a couple weeks since her texts changed from urging patience to pressing me for details on why Archer still hadn't made a move. I could only imagine her reaction to this. Better not to mention it. After all, I told myself, I'd only known him six weeks total. What was six weeks? It was nothing.
Sunday, after a day of Ping-Pong at Archer's house, I drove home for dinner to find Claudia's car parked in front of my house and a familiar braided figure sitting on our front stoop. There was no way I could keep driving. She'd already seen me, and I knew she would stay there all night if she had to. I parked my car and painted on a smile.
"Claude! It's so great to see you!"
I tried to hug her, but she held up her palm and gave me a steely glare.
"This is not a visit, Cara. This is an intervention."
Chapter Eight
"I'm not saying he is gay, Cara. I'm just saying you have to consider the possibility that he might be gay."
I didn't even know how to respond to that, but apparently my face said it all. Claudia rolled her eyes and threw up her hands.
"Honestly, Cara, don't tell me you've never thought about it! You and Archer have been completely in each other's space for ages now. If he were really into you, wouldn't you have been... in each other's space?"
"Claudia!"
"What? I'm just saying most guys would have made some kind of move by now."
I blushed, thinking about the move he specifically hadn't made the day before. Claudia misunderstood. "He did make a move! How could you not tell me?"
"He didn't..."
I explained everything.
"But that doesn't mean he's gay!" I finished.
"No, it doesn't. It could just mean he's not interested."
"Thanks. That's great."
" Or that he's really shy. You said he's never had a girlfriend, right?