Page 160 of A Million To Fall

I don’t wait for her to say goodbye.

My grin’s already spreading as I switch over.

“Hey, Stormy.”

There’s a pause. Then her voice, soft and low: “Hey, Boss.”

It’s been my nickname all my life. The only one. But only Skye makes it sound like a melody.

“Whatcha doing?” I ask, pulling into the parking lot in front of AJ’s.

She groans. “I’m in full glam mode right now. Literally. My hair’s in curlers, Boss. I haven’t worn this much makeup in… ever. And I literally just got a delivery from Van Cleef. Archer had them send me some pieces from their fall collection.”

I blink. I don’t even know what that means. I assume Van Cleef’s some fancy brand? But of what, I have no idea. Could be shoes. Could be dresses. Could be sushi flown in from Japan for all I know.

Sometimes it still catches me off guard, just how different our lives are.

“Sounds like a lot of effort for dinner at the country club?”

I’m not trying to sound like an asshole, but I probably do anyway. Skye’s world—and Jake’s and my friends’ lives—always felt a little bit like a movie compared to mine.

“It is a lot of effort.” She sighs. “But I wish it was just dinner. It’s the Longfellow Family Spectacle tonight. Archer’s dad is officially announcing he’s running for State Attorney General. Archer’s oldest brother even flew in from New York. Senator Lewellen will be there. Some big donors, I guess. Even Jake and his parents. Everyone.”

“Oh, I didn’t know he had aspirations like that.” The idea of Mr. Longfellow ascending to an even more powerful position makes my skin crawl.

“He’s talked about it for a while,” she says. “And with general elections next year, he’s officially starting to campaign. It’s going to be very hoity-toity tonight. All kinds of fancy people. Press, too…”

I smirk. “Huh, I’m offended I wasn’t invited. Stillwater’s most elite, all in one room, yet no Boston Rawlings?”

She giggles. “As far as I’m concerned, you dodged a bullet. I, for one, would rather be on your couch tonight than strapped into some silk designer gown I won’t be able to sit down in without passing out.”

Electricity shoots straight through me. “And what exactly would you be doing on my couch?”

There’s only a breath of a pause. “Not totally sure… but I guarantee I would not be watching TV.”

I laugh, the sound caught halfway between desire and disbelief. This whole thing between Skye and me—whatever the fuck it is—is so damn surreal.

“Are you free tomorrow?” I ask. “I’m getting Bronx and Cassie for a couple of hours, but maybe we can sneak in some couch time after?”

“I think that’s doable.”

I don’t have to see her to hear the smile in her voice.

“Alright. Well, if you’re able, call me after that shindig tonight,” I say. “Even if it’s late. I’ll answer.”

“I’ll try. I gotta go. Get back to turning myself into a living doll.”

I hate that she’s getting dressed up for Archer. That he’s the one who gets to take her to beautiful places, feed her five-star meals, wrap her in diamonds while I’m out here counting tips and letting women use me like I’m nothing.

But I try not to wallow.

“Have fun tonight, Stormy.”

I mean it. I want her to enjoy herself. Even if it hurts me.

“You, too, Boss. Think of me.”

Like that’s something she needed to tell me.