Page 49 of A Million To Fall

Bronx chuffs but trudges off to find Jessica.

Lily takes the opportunity to launch into flirt mode—arms crossed just under her chest, subtly pushing her breasts up and together. Cleavage on full display. Voice all syrup and shine. “Do you work here, too?” she asks unnecessarily.

Boston just nods. “What are you two up to?”

“Brunch and shopping,” Lily says. “That was, until Skye’s mom sent us on a stray errand to drop off these snacks.”

I just listen, watching Boston.

His shirt clings damply to his chest, a whistle hanging around his neck, his dark hair just as messy as Bronx’s. Now that I see them standing next to each other, their resemblance is uncanny. Bronx looks so much like Boston did when he was little, even though I know they’re only half-siblings.

Somewhere along the way, Boston stopped looking like a boy.

I’ve never been a fan of facial hair, especially not on Archer. Any attempt at a beard just makes him look like he’s trying too hard.

But Boston’s scruffy jaw? It works. All of it does. My breath catches before I can stop it, that warm flutter rushing back in.

I shouldn’t be reacting like this. But still…

“You know, we should really hang out soon.” Lily punctuates the statement with one of her signature shoulder shimmies, the kind clearly designed to draw attention to her bosom.

“Yeah, we should.” For a moment I think he’s speaking only to me. “Sunday evenings are best for me.”

Lily claps. “Alright, let’s get together!”

I open my mouth, but before I can ask a single question burning in my mind, the man who just two minutes ago was busy doing layups with a group of kids approaches Boston. “Hey man, you ready to run stations?”

Boston nods at him, then turns his attention back to Lily and me one last time. “We’ll figure out a day to get together,” he says. “I gotta get back to work. I’ll see you soon, yeah?”

“Won’t be soon enough,” Lily says.

He nods, smiling, before his eyes move to mine and linger for the length of a breath. Then he turns and walks back into the chaos.

“Hey, Boss?” I call before I can talk myself out of it.

He looks back.

“I’m glad you’re back.”

He smiles. “Yeah. Me too.”

“Should I make my move? I should make my move, right?” Lily rambles while we make our way across the parking lot back to my car. I’m busy responding to the three texts Archer fired off back-to-back.

Archer

Skye???

Archer

Skye! I asked where you are!

Archer

Fuck, I hate it when you ignore me.

I look up from my phone. “Huh?”

“On Boss,” Lily says. “I mean, it’s like fate brought him back into my life. And then I see him twice in two days? I’d be an idiot if I didn’t go for it with him, don’t you think?”