Page 50 of Unmasking Secrets
I give myself one more minute to attempt to calm my nerves before returning to mynot a date.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ARCHIE
This is torture. And yet—I did nothing. I went in there, then froze.
I’m a fucking idiot!
I wanted to say something when she first told me about the date. I felt tempted to. There have been moments recently when I could’ve said something, done something. Moments where I should’ve made my move.
But I’m a fucking idiot.
The selfish part of me wants to interrupt her date, throw her over over my shoulder, and leave. I want her. I’m just having trouble telling her and now I’m going to be too late—again.
I pull my phone out of my pocket as soon as the idea comes to mind. I can’t keep this up. It’s not fair to either of us. Someone else needs to take over this job. I can’t watch her be happy with someone else. Not when I want to be the one to make her happy.
Me: I need someone else to take over this job.
Tyler: What happened?
Me: Nothing. I just can’t be around her.
Tyler: Matt can probably do it.
Me: Great. When will he be here?
Tyler: I’ll talk to him when he gets back. It’ll probably be three days from now, two at the earliest.
Me: Great.
My eyes snapup to watch them again. I keep my back to the wall, my eyes on them and the doors. Her addictive laugh can be heard across the room.
I need a second opinion.
Me: I’m watching her on a date right now.
James: Why?
Me: It’s my job as her bodyguard, to follow her around.
James: What the hell happened?
Me: I pushed her away. I let her slip away. I don’t even know anymore.
James: You’re such an idiot. You both are. Why are you both fighting what you really want?
Me: We’re not right for each other.
James: Bullshit.
James: We all saw the way you look and act around each other. Sure, it’s changed since we were kids. But fuck, Dude! Pull your head out of your ass so you don’t lose her again.
Me: It’s too late.
James: If you really think that, you don’t know her as well as I thought you did.
Me: It’s for her own good.
