Chapter 50
Juliet
Archer and I spend every minute we can together for a solid week, and it’s utter bliss—despite the fact that he and Dad seem to bond over not wanting me to lift a finger while I recover.
I’m physically fine, but they’re treating me like an invalid, preventing me from cooking, refusing to allow me to walk too far, having me sit down for every activity possible.
They even insisted I use a wheelchair to leave the hospital.
“Just to be sure,” Dad said.
“I have to agree,” Archer returned.
I think I may have created a monster between these two, but I can’t say I mind it. It’s kinda nice being waited on hand-and-foot.
But after a week, I put my foot down and demand to leave the house. One of my favorite events of the year—Witches Night Out—is tonight, and there is no way I’m missing it, even if Archer isn’t going to be there.
I’m dressed up in a makeshift witch costume—a half-attempt if I’ve ever done one. I kinda forgot about it until this week. Someone has been keeping me preoccupied.
In my bedroom, I slip on a black, flowy, lacy dress, then wrap a belt around my waist, securing it with my gold-painted nails.
I curl my hair so the locks are thick and wild, then place my hat atop them.
I decorated the brim with hot-glued fake wildflowers and tied a little jewel at the tip of the point, so it hangs down slightly at the back, instead of pointing straight in the air.
I honestly wouldn’t care what I look like for this event—if it wasn’t for the fact that Archer’s going to drop me off.
Dad’s got his own date tonight, one me and Archer have been sworn to keep under wraps.
We’ve met them both together a few times now, his girlfriend more than happy to finally announce the relationship to me.
It’s been the hardest thing keeping her identity a secret from the rest of the town, but for them, I’ll do anything.
With Dad being busy, though, I’m in desperate need of a car. One that’s not a lemon. That’s not to say I don’t like being chauffeured by Archer—not when it reminds me every day of that meeting on the highway where my life changed forever.
Finishing off my witch look, I slip on a pendant necklace, then thread in one earring as Dad appears in my bedroom doorway.
“Ready for tonight?” he asks.
“Nearly.”
“Are you gonna be back after the event, or are you...”
“Spending time with Archer?” I finish. “Yes.”
He nods, taking in the information. “Back here?”
“Depends on if you’ll be here or not. I don’t want to interrupt anything you’ve got going on.”
“I won’t be back until later, too, so you’re welcome to come back. It’s your home as much as mine. Just...don’t kiss him on my chair.”
I laugh. “I would never do that, Dad.”
He relaxes. “All right. Have fun with your boyfriend, then.” He says with a little grimace.
“And you have fun with your girlfriend.”
He pauses, then grins like a schoolboy.
“Gross,” I tease before a knock sounds on the door. “I can get that.”
Dad pauses. “Now I can’t even answer the door?”
“Fine. Just don’t bring out the shotgun this time, okay?”
“Not even if the safety’s on?”
I laugh, shaking my head as I thread the final earring through my ear, and Dad leaves my room to open the front door.
He’s still coming around to the idea of my dating the cowboy, but he’s treating Archer with more respect than ever, and it’s alleviated most—if not all—of the stress in my life.
Their pleasant greetings travel toward me, and I shake my head in amazement as I put on a quick slab of lipstick, check my reflection in the mirror, then head out to greet them.
Archer doesn’t comment on my appearance—no doubt for Dad’s sake—but I can tell he likes it as his eyes linger with a look of pleasure.
“You’ve had enough food and water today?” Dad asks.
“More than enough. I’ve gone to the bathroom like fifty times.”
I glance at Archer, realizing it’s probably not polite to speak about things like using the toilet, but he only smiles, amused.
“You guys have a good time tonight,” Dad says as Archer helps me into my coat.
“You, too.” I reach forward, giving him the soft embrace I know he needs right now. “Love you, Dad.”
He returns, hugging me with those big bear-arms of his. “Love you, too, Jules. Keep safe.”
I pull back with a reassuring nod. “I will. I’ll see you soon.”
Archer holds the door open for me, shakes Dad’s hand, then helps me through the darkness and into the truck—carefully avoiding the black specters this time in the dark of the night.
“You look amazing,” he says as soon as we’re alone. The light from his dashboard illuminates his features.
“Thanks. I think I’ll wear this to church on Sunday.”
He chuckles, then reverses out of the drive. “What time does the event start?”
“Thirty minutes or so. I just didn’t want to wait any longer to see you.”
“In that case...” He gives me a side-eye.
“What?”
His lips curve, but he remains silent with that mischievous look in his eye until he turns down the wrong road—in the direction of only one location.
“Don’t even...” I say, though my stomach fills with butterflies.
“Come on. Neither of us has kissed at Make-Out Ridge. It’s a rite of passage.”
I half-heartedly protest until we park alone at the Ridge, the darkness all-encompassing. He doesn’t move toward me for a minute, merely gives me a look that I can barely see in the dark car, but I know what it means.
I sigh, shake my head, then lean forward, taking his lips with mine before he has the chance to even register what’s happening.
He returns my kisses as fervently as I was hoping, and we spend a few minutes—or maybe longer?—enjoying our alone time.
Before long, our lips part as my lips break out into a smile.
He pulls back with curious eyes. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy.”
“Well, can you stop being happy for a second? I’d like to kiss you for longer.”
I laugh, swatting his arm. “Fine. Here.”
A scowl pulls my features low, and he leans in before stopping. “That’s not gonna work either.”
I put on a pleasant expression next, and we manage a five-second kiss before I smile again.
He looks at me with a feigned look of impatience.
“I’m sorry!” I laugh out. “I just can’t get over the fact that I’m kissing Archer Kade at Make-Out Ridge.”
I daydreamed about this moment, too.
“I mean, you were kissing him...” he says. I laugh again and he leans back with a sigh. “Well, I guess that’s enough of that. You’ve got some witches to party with.”
That’s sobering enough.
He’s about to put his truck into reverse, but I launch forward, kissing him again.
This time, it lasts.
Juliet
Somehow, we make it to the event at the library without being caught by a cop and relatively on time. A few women in their cute witch costumes—Sadie and Ari included—file in through the doors as we approach.
I tell Archer he can just drop me off, but he insists on parking and walking me to the doors.
As if I could mind that. Being on his arm, I feel like a million bucks.
Especially when those already in the library—Emma and Liv—peer through the window and look at me, then Archer, then back at me with a broad grin.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the entire town knew about my undying crush on Archer Kade—no doubt thanks to the Ednas—but it’s lovely to see everyone appearing happy for us both.
But no one is happier than I am.
Archer stops at the door and faces me. “I’ll be here when you need me,” he says.
“I know.”
And I do. Because Archer has shown up in my life when it matters most each and every time, and I could never ask for anything greater than a man who loves me as much as I love him.