Page 36 of Unfaithful

I looked him up and down, taking in the way his black button-up shirt fit snugly against his broad shoulders, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the veins on his tattooed forearms. Black jeans, sitting low on his hips, and worn combatboots completed his look. His hair was slightly tousled as if he'd just run his fingers through it.

He looked very good today. Too good.

I could already picture my all-female team ogling him, completely distracted and no work would ever get done.

"Umm... No."

"You sure?"

"Don't you also have work to do?"

"I have my laptop in the car. I can sit in your office and work there," he offered casually.

I stared at him, tempted.

He flashed a teasing smile. "I can be very quiet, Peaches."

If only that were the problem.

"I think I'm good." I tore my gaze away, focusing back on the building as my stomach twisted with uncertainty.

Would Cole be there? Would Elsa?

And most of all, who else knew about Cole's relationship with Elsa? Did everybody know?

Would I be able to stand tall, chin high, and face them all?

Oh, God.

A cold dread settled over me, fear and doubt snaking around my throat like a noose. My legs stiffened, my body threatening to give out.

I was just seconds away from bolting when I felt Archie's hand on my arm—grounding, reassuring.

"You've got this, Peaches," he murmured, his voice a steady anchor against my rising panic. "I know you can."

I was already choking on my anxiety when I met his gaze, but the calm green of his eyes soothed me. The frantic pounding of my heart eased.

"I can." I nodded, my voice still shaky. "I can do this."

"I think I need to go up there with you," he insisted.

I shook my head. "I'm fine. I can do this."

"Okay," he said slowly, his eyes scanning my face, making sure I was truly fine. "I'll be around here. I'll find a café or somewhere to sit. We can have lunch together."

"I'm not going out for lunch." I didn't want to run into Cole. Or worse, Elsa. Not yet. "I'll ask someone to buy it for me."

"Then I'll pick you up after work."

My gaze softened as I looked at him. He was too kind to me. "I can take an Uber or a taxi, Archie. Besides, I need to go home to pick up clothes and everything else."

He shook his head. "Is five-thirty okay?"

When he saw me hesitate, he added, "I'll come up there and get you myself if you say no, Sara."

"Okay." I nodded, knowing he wouldn't listen to me.

"Good." He smiled as he spun on his heels, walking away. "Good luck, Peaches. I'll be around here if you need me."

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