Page 82 of Unfaithful

Her jet-black hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders, framing high cheekbones, full lips, and sun-kissed skin. But it was her eyes that stood out the most, almond-shaped andstriking golden-brown, sharp and knowing like she had seen the world and owned a piece of it.

No wonder she was special to Archie.

I knew Archie was a catch—it was impossible to think he'd never had someone in his life. But the way he gave his all to me made it hard to imagine that there had ever been someone else he considered special.

"Archie's back," Julian hissed in a whisper. "Put away your phone."

Emma scrambled to close the browser, flipping her phone face down on the counter just as Archie sat on the stool.

She and Julian really were the perfect team of scoundrels.

The way they grinned at each other mischievously was proof of that.

"What are we talking about?" Archie asked as he refilled his coffee.

"You," Emma replied.

Julian and I immediately tensed. We hadn't expected her to be that blunt.

"Me?" Archie was unfazed as he took a sip. "Why?"

"We were talking about your job," Emma said smoothly. "How dangerous it is and what kind of crew you need to cover stories like that."

"Oh," Archie said, smiling into his coffee. Then he turned to me. "Ask me anything you want to know."

I blinked. The question was directed at me, not Emma.

His gaze lingered on me, and in that moment, the air in the room seemed to thicken, growing warmer, heavier. Everythingseemed to pause, just for a beat. I shifted uncomfortably, aware of the change in the atmosphere, though I couldn't quite pinpoint why it felt so different. His eyes held a quiet intensity that made the space between us feel charged, making it hard to think clearly.

Julian must have noticed the shift in the air because he abruptly pushed back from the counter. "I'm gonna take a shower."

"I'll come with you," Emma said automatically, hopping off her stool.

Julian froze mid-step. His grin stretched so wide it could split his face. "You will?"

Emma's eyes widened in horror as she realized what she'd just said. "No! I mean—I'll take a shower after you."

She bolted past him.

Julian scrambled after her. "Or we could just shower together?"

"Absolutely not!" Emma's voice faded down the hall.

"Why the fuck not?!" Julian called after her.

"Sara?" Archie's voice pulled me back to him.

I exhaled, deciding it was best to hear it straight from him. "Nicole," I began.

"Yes."

"She's your ex?"

"Yes," he answered without hesitation.

I bit my lip. "Julian said she's special to you."

Archie's gaze flickered, but he didn't deny it. "She was."

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