Page 93 of Unfaithful

We sat in a comfortable silence, the quiet wrapping around us like a familiar embrace. My thoughts churned.Cole and the closure I sought, the future I was trying to piece together. And then there was Archie, steady, unwavering. I stole a glance at him, wondering if he could sense the storm raging inside me.

Finally, I exhaled and said, "It was good that Cole and I had that talk. I needed it. It was closure."

"Okay..." he said slowly.

"It's really over," I exhaled, the reality settling heavily on my chest. "The divorce was already in motion, but this time, it felt truly final. And I hate that I wasted so many tears on him. He didn't deserve them."

Archie studied me for a moment. "It's okay to cry, Peaches," he murmured. "You're letting go of something that meant so much to you. That's not weakness. It's just part of healing."

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. "Yeah..."

I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his gaze. He held it, patient and attentive, as if he already sensed the weight of what I was about to say.

"I'm going to start my life now, Archie. My new life."

He didn't speak, but I saw the slight tension in his expression—waiting, listening, bracing himself for whatever came next.

"And I don't know how long it will take until I'm ready. For you."

I saw it instantly, the way his whole body tightened, even though his expression barely shifted. I offered him a small, soft smile.

"Or if you're the one for me."

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, subtle but undeniable, and it made my heart clench. Still, I didn't look away. I held his gaze.

"Right now, my feelings for you are still tangled, Archie. But one thing I know for certain, what I feel for you is more than just friendship. But after everything I've been through, I need to be very sure before I take another leap."

His green eyes softened; relief was clear in his expression. He leaned in, gently taking my hands in his. His thumbs traced over my knuckles before his grip tightened, firm and reassuring.

I exhaled, trying to steady myself, uncertain of how he would react to my next words. But I had to say it, what I needed from him and what I could offer him, at least for now.

"I want us to stay friends for now, Archie. No pressure, no expectations. Just... taking things slow and appreciating the moments we share."

He stayed quiet, his gaze shifting away from me for a moment. His fingers twitched slightly against mine, but he didn't let go.

"Am I confusing you?" I let out a small, nervous chuckle. "Because I'm confusing myself, to be honest."

He shook his head, his voice an inaudible murmur. "I'm listening, Peaches. And I understand."

"I know it's not fair for me to ask you to do this for me, and I also know there's Nicole in your life—"

"No," Archie cut me off, his gaze sharpening. "Nicole is my past, and that's where she'll stay." He hesitated, his jaw tightening as he carefully chose his next words. "I thought she could replace you. I wanted her to make me forget you."

Something in his eyes stole my breath. Not just his words, but the way he looked at me. The depth of it settled deep in my chest, stirring something I wasn't ready to name. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came.

"You remember the restaurant where we first met, Peaches?"

I nodded, my heartbeat quickening just a little.

"I went back there twenty-two times after that, hoping to see you again." He exhaled, his expression softening, but laden with deep emotion. "I kept searching for you. And when I finally found you... it was the day Cole introduced us. And I saw you loved him so much."

Archie released my hand and slowly rose to his feet. My gaze followed him, and my breath hitched as his knuckles grazed my cheek—soft, reverent. My eyes fluttered shut at the warmth of his touch.

"I'll wait for you, Peaches," he said, his words carrying the weight of a vow. "Because I love you. I've been drawn to you since the moment I met you eight years ago, and somewhere along the way, I fell completely. And I'm not going anywhere unless you look me in the eye and tell me, without a shadow of a doubt, that there's no hope."

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Cole

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