Fall For Me Page 5

  Phoebe aside, I’d already considered staying here. Willow Brook felt like home to me because it was where I’d grown up.

  I could work here easily. With the internet and online cloud storage, I could work anywhere. I could travel for meetings. But I knew it would freak Phoebe right the hell out if we jumped to that today.

  We still had to get past the kisses, and I had to convince her that we could do more than kiss.

  Oblivious to my mental machinations, the woman continued, “Well then, how about I come up with some ideas and sketches? I can send them over online.”

  “Sounds perfect,” I replied.

  Phoebe and I walked her to the front door, and the woman left. The sound of the closing door echoed in the space. I turned and looked around. I loved this home. It was where I grew up.

  The downstairs was all hardwood flooring, except for the tiled kitchen. It was an open space with a vaulted ceiling and exposed beams. The main room had windows in the center and two walls of windows flanking the sides. The kitchen was to the back, and the upper floor was only half of the house with a balcony hallway on the side. The main bedroom was on one end upstairs with three smaller bedrooms along the balcony.

  Phoebe looked up at me. “How does it feel to come back?”

  When I met her eyes, my heart stuttered and then lunged. I forced myself to ignore my internal state. “Good, really good, actually.”

  She squeezed my hand. When she smiled, for just a second, I saw the little girl I'd known all the way up through middle school. She had a dimple that sometimes showed in her right cheek. It peeked out just now. My heart flipped in my chest.

  “It's really good to see you again, Archer.”

  “Same,” I said gruffly.

  “Are kisses complicating us?” she asked, her voice lilting at the end.

  I shook my head. “No, definitely not. We have to go.”

  “We do?” She sounded surprised.

  “Yes, we had this meeting, and then we need to go sign some paperwork for the marriage license.”

  Her eyes went wide. The sound of her swallowing was audible in the empty space. “Oh, right. That's one part of the wedding I haven't figured out. We have to decide who's going to marry us. Janet offered. She has her marriage commissioner appointment.”

  “Really?”

  “She does,” Phoebe replied with a smile.

  “I’d love for Janet to marry us,” I said, thinking that felt just right. I glanced at my watch. “We should go.”

  I opened the door, pausing to glance down. “Dinner tonight after that?”

  Phoebe stared up at me before she nodded. Then she bit her lip, and I wanted to kiss her all over again. If there was a bed in this house, I didn't think we'd be leaving. Not if I had anything to say about it.

  When we stopped by to pick up the marriage license, I could sense Phoebe's mounting anxiety about the situation. When we left, I looked over at her. “Let's go get dinner now.”

  Her eyes flicked to the dashboard. “It's only five.”

  “We’ve dealt with some big things, and you look stressed. There’s no rule that we can’t have dinner at five.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I'm not stressed, Archer. It's just, well, a lot. Okay, maybe I am stressed.” Her breath came out in a gust.

  I smiled. “Yeah, let's have dinner.”

  “Do we have to go out?”

  I shrugged. “We can do whatever you want.”

  “Why don't you come to my place? We can get takeout. We can do dinner out another time.”

  Chapter Ten

  Phoebe

  I shouldn't have been so nervous, or that was what I kept telling myself. It was just Archer. There was nothing to be nervous about, but it didn’t matter. I was still nervous. I needed to succumb to this and stop fighting it.

  I'd gone a little bit crazy in my brain when he said he’d wanted to kiss me and when I’d admitted to him that I wanted to kiss him. Archie… I was kissing Archie.

  He’s not Archie anymore.

  My cheeks got hot just thinking about it. Archer had dropped me off at the Willow Brook Fire & Rescue station, where I was going to pick up the jacket I'd left there. I also needed to let my superintendent know I was going to take the full two weeks off before the wedding and after. We hadn't even discussed a honeymoon.

  “Oh, my god.”

  I didn't realize I’d spoken out loud when Paisley prompted, “Oh, my god, what?”

  I whipped around to see her walking into the women's locker room at the fire station.

  “Should I close the door?” Paisley asked, her eyes twinkling as she looked over at me.

  My hand was curled on the edge of my locker, the cool steel doing nothing to chill the hot flashes running in cycles through my body. If I was older, I'd wonder if I was experiencing early menopause.

  I must’ve stared too long because Paisley closed the door and asked, “What the hell is going on with you?”

  I released my locker door and plunked down on the bench running the length of the room in front of the lockers. Paisley sat across from me on the opposite bench.

  “I think I'm losing my mind,” I said bluntly.

  “Oh, really? I kind of already thought so,” Paisley said lightly.

  “Huh?”

  “Girl, you've agreed to a marriage of convenience to save the environment. I mean, that is admirable, I suppose, but do you really need to get married for that?”

  I rested my elbows on my knees, dropping my face into my palms. My breath filtered through my fingers as I let out a deep sigh. I tunneled my hands through my hair as I lifted my head and leaned my shoulders against the lockers.

  “I don't think it's that crazy,” I protested.

  My friend eyed me skeptically. “It seems a little out of left field. That's all I'm saying,” she finally said after a hesitation.

  The locker room door opened, and Susannah, the third female firefighter in Willow Brook, entered. Madison was right behind her. While Paisley was wearing overalls and a T-shirt and Susannah was dressed in her fire gear, Madison looked straight out of a magazine. Her hair was twisted in some kind of knot I probably couldn't even do and her nails were bright purple and beautifully done.

  Madison smiled amongst us, asking, “Is it okay that I come in? Graham is on the phone in his office.”

  Paisley patted the bench beside her. “Have a seat.”

  Susannah divided a look between us before sitting down beside me. “I don't know what it is, but it'll be fine,” she offered.

  “Is it Archer?” Madison asked.

  She was more perceptive than she let on.

  “Of course, it's Archer,” Paisley replied. “I'm still trying to figure out why it's a good idea for her to get married to save the environment.”

  “They were best friends growing up. It's not like he's a stranger,” Susannah offered loyally.

  “He’s definitely not a stranger,” I affirmed.

  “What's up?” Susannah asked. She slid an arm across my shoulder and squeezed before shifting back to lean against the lockers beside me.

  “I kissed Archer,” I said bluntly.

  “Ooh, cups up,” Madison said.

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  “It’s a spin-off from the whole spilled tea metaphor, that kind of thing. Archer is very handsome. Not my type, but very handsome. I don’t blame you for kissing him,” Madison said.

  “Not your type?” I asked.

  She arched a brow. “Obviously not. Rugged firefighters are my type. Archer’s a businessman, although he doesn't really look the part.”

  “He grew up in Alaska,” I protested, feeling protective of him.

  “I don’t care what he is. He’s completely hot,” Paisley chimed in.

  Susannah giggled at my side. She lifted her hands to tighten her ponytail. “He’s definitely not Archie anymore.”

  “I know. I look at him, and I can't even think of how we used to be,” I offered
.

  “Were you two really besties growing up?” Paisley asked.

  “Absolutely. Our parents were friends, and we did everything together, all the way through middle school before he moved away.”

  “Then Tasha moved to town and became her best friend.” Susannah rolled her eyes. “I saw her in town. She's worried about the wedding and really wants you to be in it.”

  “I know, but I'm not going to do that.” I slid my eyes to hers and shrugged. “We saw her at Firehouse Café.”

  “Yeah, we heard about the hot kiss in the parking lot,” Madison said, leaning forward as she lifted a finger in the air.

  “Oh, god, who told you?” Heat flashed up my face.

  “Janet,” Paisley said.

  “And Holly,” Madison added.

  “Oh.” I sighed. “Tasha thinks I'm upset because of my ex, but I’d already broken up with him. It's her. I can't believe she did that.”

  “Yeah, because you're a really good friend. That's why Archer never forgot you and probably why he wants to marry you,” Susannah said. “Plus, if that kiss was anything like I heard, this whole thing is not fake.”

  “I'm freaking out,” I finally said. “He wants me to move in. He had an interior decorator out to his parents’ place. He hired Amelia and Lucy to do some updates. I’m just…” I let out something between a groan and a growl. “I’m starting to think I’m crazy, but he asked because he needs to get married to take control of this part of the company. Why do rich people do weird shit like that?”

  “Because rich people are weird,” Madison chimed in. “For what it’s worth, marriage is considered a stability factor and assessed as part of the risk in some business valuations.” I started laughing. “I used to be rich. I know this shit. Trust me, being rich does not make them better people, although I'm sure Archer’s parents are very nice. Is this their clause?”

  I shook my head. “No, his grandmother's. If he doesn't get married, his great-uncle, his grandmother’s brother-in-law, retains control.”

  “You don't have to go through with this if you’re not ready,” Susannah said quietly.

  I glanced at her. “I know I don't, but I want to, and that’s what’s got me freaking out.”

  “We will all be there and support whatever you do,” she added.

  “I'm kind of excited about the wedding,” Madison declared. “As big as his family’s company is, Willow Brook will probably be in the news.”

  I rolled my eyes. Straightening, I took a deep breath. “I think I need to lay off kissing him. Then I can think more clearly.”

  “Sure, I'm sure you can do that,” Madison said wryly, her lips twitching at the corners.

  “I can,” I insisted. “I didn't kiss him ever until now.”

  “Yeah, well, he hasn’t been around for you to kiss him,” Susannah pointed out.

  Meanwhile, Paisley was biting her lip to keep from laughing.

  I sighed. “Whatever.”

  “Are you on duty this week?” Paisley asked.

  I shook my head. “Graham and I talked about me taking it off, but I came by to confirm with him. I’m going to take a month off. I have the leave, and it’s our quiet season.”

  Madison nodded. “Well, I’m on top of the wedding planning, but have you decided who’s going to officiate?”

  “Janet. I confirmed it with Archer, and he’s on board.”

  Madison smiled. “All right, girl, I'll keep planning. This is fun. I haven't gotten to use these skills in a while.”

  “What skills?” Paisley asked.

  “My planning skills. I plan a good party,” she said, waving her hand airily. “Do you need me to plan your wedding? I’ll do it for free.”

  Paisley's cheeks flushed pink. “We're not even engaged yet.”

  Madison shrugged and winked at Susannah and me. “She will be soon. Take my word for it.”

  After talking to Graham, I was walking out the front a bit later when Maisie called my name. “What’s up?” I stopped by the counter that encircled her desk.

  “I heard about the kiss,” she whisper-shouted.

  Heat blasted my cheeks, and I pressed my lips together as I narrowed my eyes. “You’re gossiping. How long have I known you?”

  “As long as you've been back in town,” she said with a shrug.

  “Who did you hear about it from?” I couldn’t help but ask. I was trying to suss out just how fast the kiss gossip was spreading.

  “Mae Townsend was driving by and told me.”

  I groaned.

  “Archer is…” She cleared her throat and waggled her eyebrows. “Handsome.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “For sure,” she teased. “Beck says he's a really nice guy.”

  “Yeah, Beck grew up with him.”

  “So did you. Isn't that your excuse for going through with this crazy marriage?” I rolled my eyes, and she continued, “Although, lots of people in town are happy about it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Rumor has it, if Archer gets control of that company, people are hoping he's going to shut down the mine. The world's practically on fire these days. We could use a few glimmers of hope,” she offered with a grin.

  I laughed as I shook my head. “Do you think I'm crazy?”

  “No crazier than me for marrying Beck,” she replied matter-of-factly.

  I burst out laughing. “Why do you say that? You have two kids, and you're still madly in love.” It was downright endearing to see how Beck had grown into a committed, family guy.

  “Well, he was a horrible flirt, but I went for it anyway. I don't think Archer’s a flirt.”

  “No, he doesn't have that vibe,” I commented.

  “Beck is still a flirt, and I love it.”

  I walked out, thinking it must be nice to be that confident in someone's love. I was over my ex, but the hit to my trust lingered. That was a mark in Archer’s favor because I trusted him completely.

  Chapter Eleven

  Archer

  I walked down the hallway at the place where Phoebe told me I could find her apartment. It was right next door to Firehouse Café. When I'd stopped by to grab a coffee earlier, Janet had told me she owned the building, and Phoebe rented one of two apartments upstairs. At that, she’d waggled her eyebrows and offered that the other apartment was empty.

  “I’m getting the house updated as fast as I can, so we’ll be able to stay there by the wedding.”

  “Phoebe’s moving in with you?”

  It was hard to surprise Janet, and I almost laughed when her brows rose to her hairline. “Yes, that's the plan. We are getting married after all.”

  A smile broke across her face at that, and she leaned over to squeeze my elbow. “I love that you two are getting married. It's perfect. I am worried, though,” she added as she rang me up.

  “Worried about what?”

  “You haven't lived in Willow Brook in years. This is a small town. Are you planning to stay? What's going to happen with Phoebe and your work?”

  These were all questions that had tumbled through my mind, but I’d been telling myself we’d sort it out, and it would all be okay. “Janet, my parents lived here for years. I grew up here. We can live here. I’m not planning to take Phoebe away.”

  “Well, we only just got her back about a year ago,” Janet said as she eyed me skeptically.

  “I know.”

  I felt that same sense of possessiveness I heard in Janet's voice. Phoebe was a treasure, and I knew that Janet knew it. I loved her all the more for that.

  “We haven't hammered out all the details, but we’ll work out where we’re going to live, and we will definitely be in Willow Brook plenty.”

  “You've turned out to be a good man, Archer Cannon,” Janet said when she handed me my change. When I dumped it into the tip jar, she rolled her eyes. “That change was more than your coffee.” I shrugged. “You need to take her out to dinner in town.”

  “I suggested the same
thing.”

  “There's a new pizza place and also, the gallery. I don't know if you've been there yet.”

  “I’ve seen it but haven’t stopped in.”

  “Well, they have a little café now, and it's delicious. Every week is a different theme. You could find out what they have tonight and surprise Phoebe.”

  “Ah, she’d like that. She always was adventurous when it came to food.”

  Janet grinned, and I saw her look past my shoulder. I realized I was holding up the line.

  “Sorry about that.” I quickly stepped to the side as she handed me my coffee over the counter.

  Hours later, I crested the top stair and looked down the hallway at Phoebe’s building. My footsteps echoed on the hardwood floors. One door had a small welcome mat outside. I assumed that had to be Phoebe's if the other place was empty. As soon as I lifted my hand to rap my knuckles on the door, my heartbeat thudded faster. My reaction to Phoebe was startling in both its intensity and unexpectedness. When I’d thought about coming back and realized we could reconnect as friends, and then heard what her ex had done with her friend, it seemed like a mutually beneficial arrangement for us to get married. Marriage of convenience or not, I cared about her deeply. I simply hadn't expected to want her like this, emotionally and physically on a visceral level.

  The door swung open while my hand was lifted.

  “I was wondering when you were going to knock,” Phoebe said, her eyes flicking to my hand as it dropped before shifting back to my face and then to the large paper bag I held in my other hand.

  “What's that?”

  “Dinner.”

  “You already got dinner? Is that leftovers?”

  “Of course not. I didn't eat without you, Phoebe. I decided to surprise you. Janet suggested I pick up some takeout from the Gallery Café. This week’s theme is Caribbean food.”

  Her eyes widened, and she clapped her hands. My heart flipped in my chest.

  “I'm so excited! They just started doing that a couple of weeks ago, and I haven’t tried it yet.”

  She waved me through the door, shutting it behind me. “Just hang your coat up here.” She gestured to a row of hooks on the wall. On the floor below that was a tray for shoes.