Page 70 of Unfaithful

Julian huffed. "That table was way too wobbly. Not my fault."

"Oh, so now it's the table's fault?" Emma scoffed.

"Yes! Cheap furniture is a serious hazard," Julian said defensively. "Honestly, I should've sued."

Emma let out an exaggerated sigh. "That kind of stupid thought is exactly why you have a drink limit tonight."

Julian muttered something under his breath, crossing his arms, and I couldn't help but laugh. This was going to be an interesting night.

Archie glanced at me, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You look absolutely stunning tonight, Peaches. I might have trouble keeping all those guys away from you."

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks again.

And I couldn't quite understand it. Why was I blushing so much around him suddenly?

For the rest of the ride, I kept my gaze averted from Archie, afraid I might blush again. Julian and Emma kept up their playful banter in the background while I lost myself in my thoughts.

I felt that something had shifted tonight. Something about the way I saw Archie.

He had always been gorgeous—beautiful face, tall and lean body, with that effortless swagger and coolness that made him the whole appealing package. Not that I was blind to it. Of course, I noticed.

But I'd always seen him as just a friend.

Now, though, I saw him in a slightly different light. Or maybe it was his focused attention on me that felt different.

Or perhaps he'd always been like this, and I'd simply been too oblivious to notice.

Archie had been my constant through the hardest phase of my life. He gave me space but never let me feel alone. He always offered to drive me to the office or pick me up in the evening, yet he never pushed me when I declined. He had an instinct for my needs, knowing when I craved solitude and when I needed company. But through it all, he remained respectful, kept his distance, and never once overstepped.

Now, however, I was noticing subtle hints—things I hadn't paid attention to before—that suggested otherwise.

When Emma decided to stay, she took a week to pack her belongings. In the meantime, I asked Archie to keep me company. He stayed, never overstepping, always keeping his distance, sleeping in the guest bedroom, just as he always did. But his presence alone made it easier to breathe.

Then Emma returned. I wasn't alone anymore.

That was when Archie looked at me and asked carefully, "Do you still need me now that Emma's here?"

I instantly panicked. My chest tightened, my stomach twisted, and suddenly, the thought of him walking away, of him not being here anymore, sent a jolt of fear through me.

And before I could think, I blurted out, "Why do you ask that?"

It came out too sharp, too loud, almost like a desperate accusation rather than a simple question. And the moment the words left my lips, I saw something restrained flicker in his eyes.

He hesitated, his jaw tightening just slightly before he let out a small chuckle. "No reason, Peaches," he said lightly. "Just checking."

The relief that washed over me was almost overwhelming.

Lately, he'd been giving me more space, more time away from him. I knew he thought it was what I needed. But then I realized, I didn't need space.

I neededhim.

I needed him to be there for me because, sometimes, it was so damn hard to keep standing. I needed someone solid, someone strong. Someone who could be my source of strength.

And Archie was it. He was my source of strength.

I wasn't sure when it happened. When the lines blurred between reliance and something else.

"We're here," Archie said, his voice pulling me from my thoughts as he stopped in front of the valet section.

---