Chapter 28 Dirty thing they did #2
Elodie turns toward him. “Sorry,” she says dryly. “But why exactly would I want to go to your favorite place?”
I blink once. My brother doesn’t encounter such a response to his enthusiasm very often. I think he may have just met the woman completely immune to his charm. But Archer being Archer doesn’t hesitate even slightly.
“Because,” he drawls confidently, “you’re in for a treat.”
Beside me, Violet shifts, clearly sensing Elodie’s reluctance. “El, please come. I’ll feel terrible for waking you up so early and making you drive all the way here.”
“They have sugar-free and gluten-free options,” Archer adds casually. “Just in case you were wondering.”
For the briefest moment, Elodie’s expression changes. The mild annoyance on her face gives way to clear surprise as she looks at Archer again, studying him more carefully this time.
Then she nods once and turns back to Violet. “Okay,” she says. “But only for you, Vi.”
“Duly noted,” Archer replies with a satisfied grin.
Have Archer and Elodie always interacted like this? I have no idea. As this is the first time since these women stepped into my life, I’m not slipping away to find some corner or disappearing into an empty room under the excuse of an urgent work email.
We settle into the private area Archer reserved for us. The moment we sit down, a waitress approaches our table with practiced ease.
“Mr. Teager, it’s nice to see you again.” Her smile is polite and professional.
“Thanks, Anna,” Archer replies, leaning back with the relaxed confidence that seems to follow him everywhere. “As you know, I can’t stay away from this place for too long.”
“We’re glad to hear that, sir. I’ll let Chef know you’re here and bring the specials menu.”
Before she can leave, Archer adds, “Could you also tell Pietro we need some diabetic-friendly options today?”
I notice the way Elodie’s gaze shifts toward him, clearly surprised by the request.
Archer comes off as someone unbothered by most things. But if he knows one thing, it’s how to care for the people around him. Growing up with me made noticing what others need second nature to him.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Elodie says once the waitress walks away. “I could always find something from the menu that works.”
“You probably could.” Archer shrugs, unbothered. “But today I invited you.”
After that, breakfast unfolds easily.
Violet and I sit side by side on the couch, facing Archer and Elodie across the table. Our bodies are close enough that her thigh presses lightly against mine. Every so often our hands find the other’s beneath the table. Her fingers slip between mine. Sometimes it’s brief. Sometimes they linger.
Conversation flows without effort. For the first time since Violet entered my life, I find myself enjoying a public outing rather than quietly counting the minutes until I can disappear again.
Today, I don’t even mind the pauses when my brother translates for me, as Violet turns fully in her seat every time I sign.
She looks at my fingers with such concentration, as though she can decipher my words.
Each time I sign, she squeezes my hand under the table, as if she’s proud of me. And that’s the only thing that matters.
When the meal finally ends, I drape my arm along the back of the couch and gently pull her closer to my side.
“Okaaay,” Elodie says slowly. “This looks new.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Why the hell is everyone suddenly making this into such a big moment, and worse, making Violet nervous in the process?
It’s not like she and I met yesterday.
We’ve been talking for months, even if those conversations happened online, and we were matched on a website that claims to connect soulmates.
Before Violet can respond, Archer leans forward in his seat like he’s been waiting for this moment.
“If you’re wondering whether they had sex,” he announces casually, glancing at Elodie, “they have not.”
Violet nearly chokes on her water.
I stare at my brother in disbelief.
What the hell, Arch?
I shoot him a sharp look, but when has that ever stopped Archer?
If anything, he seems more entertained. Even Elodie, who until now has mostly looked mildly irritated by his presence, lets the corner of her mouth lift.
“But,” Archer continues thoughtfully, tapping the table, “they definitely did something. I’m calling it a make-up make-out.”
Violet presses her lips together, trying and failing not to react.
“How are you two brothers?” Elodie asks, turning toward Archer with a puzzled look.
He flashes her an effortless grin. “Oh, easy. I’m compensating for his lack of enthusiasm.”
Elodie might never realize just how much truth hides inside that joke.
“Before this guy embarrasses us any further, I think we should leave.”
Archer translates my words and then laughs before signaling the waitress for the bill.
Violet’s hand settles lightly on my arm. “I need to go to the restroom.”
“I’ll join you,” Elodie says immediately.
As the girls walk away, my gaze follows Violet without thinking. But Archer’s attention is fixed on them too.
I lean back in my seat, crossing my arms as I study my brother.
“What?”
“Nothing,” I sign slowly. “Just curious. Were you always like this with her?”
“With whom?” he asks, holding my gaze.
“Elodie Hart.”
He exhales softly. “You don’t find her surprising?”
“It’s not that surprising that there’s a woman in this world who’s immune to your charms, Archer.”
He huffs out a quiet laugh. “It’s not that.”
I raise a brow.
“Okay,” he admits, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not only that. She has bulletproof windows in her car, for fuck’s sake. She doesn’t just live in that little one-bedroom apartment of hers either. She owns the entire complex. All twelve units.”
My brow furrows.
“How the hell do you know about her investments?”
This is one of those rare moments when my brother actually looks a little embarrassed.
“You had her background checked?”
“Of course I did,” he replies defensively. “With Charles marrying Daisy, Raymond engaged to Willow, and now you and Violet… I was starting to think it might be my turn to get attacked by the fourth remaining friend.”
A silent laugh moves through me. “You’re not on her radar, Arch. She doesn’t look even slightly interested in you.”
“Yeah,” Archer mutters, leaning back in his seat. “We’ll see about that.” Then he glances toward the hallway, where the women disappeared. “But don’t you find it strange?”
“Maybe she inherited money from her parents.”
“Her mother was a struggling single mom who died while Elodie was still in school. And there aren’t any distant relatives.”
“Maybe her father—”
“Not likely,” Archer interrupts. “She was adopted. That’s where it gets interesting. My PI couldn’t find anything about her life before she arrived in Cherrywood.”
Before Archer can go any deeper into whatever mystery he’s clearly been obsessing over, movement catches my attention. The women are walking back toward us. And just like that, Elodie disappears completely from my thoughts since Violet smiles at me the moment our eyes meet.
“Shall we go?” she asks softly. “I’m already missing Echo.”
After Elodie drives away, Violet and I slide into my car. I’m about to shut my door when Archer slams his fists against the hood of his Aston Martin, which is parked right next to mine.
“Fuck.”
“Archer, is everything okay?” Violet asks as I meet my brother’s gaze.
“It’s Dad.” The color has drained completely from his face.
I unlock my phone and read the text from Dad waiting there.
What the hell?
“Is everything alright?” Violet asks again, her eyes moving between the two of us.
I glance up just as Archer exhales sharply through his teeth. “Echo’s owners have filed a police complaint against Dad. He needs to appear before a judge.”
“What?” Violet gasps. “How?”
Archer runs a frustrated hand through his hair. “Apparently, when Dad threatened them, someone had a phone out and recorded the whole thing. Now that they’ve looked into his finances, they’re claiming emotional distress and coming after him for everything they can get.”