Page 30

The weeks leading up to Christmas break whirled past me like a tornado.

I had tried so hard to grasp onto small moments but time just kept spinning on.

Life was a blur of writing papers, taking exams, and trying to remember to eat.

If my mom hadn't sent me home from Thanksgiving with frozen dishes, I would probably have lived off of instant noodles.

I had barely seen Archer since the day we went for breakfast and watched movies with his teammates.

The Trojans were on pace to win their Conference Championships, so they had gone back to two-a-day training to make sure they were ready.

Archer had been so busy with those plus his own final exams that we barely ever met up.

That would hopefully all change today though.

Classes had ended a few days ago so I drove home to Bellmere as soon as I packed up my dorm.

Archer had to stay and travel with his team to the championship game.

But tonight, they would play and I had no doubt in my mind they'd win.

Once he got back home, hopefully, we'd finally get to spend time together.

I was anxious about how we would do that with our families around.

I had never been good at lying or keeping secrets but I was so desperate to see Archer, I was determined to make it work.

I was sick of only connecting through texts and quick phone calls—it felt like we'd barely even began before we had to be put on pause.

I tried not to worry about whether or not this time apart could fizzle out our spark. The thought had crossed my mind, of course. But Archer texted me often that he missed me and couldn't wait for Christmas break, so I had to trust that.

"So, what kind of dress are you looking for this year?" My mom asked as she drove us to the mall.

"Something a little more... mature? I'm tired of the princess dresses," I sighed.

Every year on New Year's Eve my dad's company threw a banquet for charity.

It was a major event in our small town, always bringing in a large crowd.

When I was a child I had thought it was magical to get dolled up in poofy dresses and dance in a ballroom all night.

But now, I really hoped to present myself as an adult.

Our shoes clicked on the glossy marble floors as we strolled past each store.

I loved this time of year. Red bows and green garland adorned the walls as Christmas carols jingled out of the speakers.

I smiled at the Santa Claus that was perched on a gold throne with a line up of children waiting for him.

Ten minutes later I stripped my clothes off in a dressing room while Mom and a sales lady passed me options over the door. The first dress I tried on was clearly my mom's pick. It was light purple, covered in rhinestones and had a tulle poof. Freakin' princess dresses.

"Oh, Lotty you look beautiful!" Mom cooed as I walked out. I grimaced in the mirror as I gave them a half-hearted twirl.

"Mom, I said I wanted something more grown-up. This is the exact same dress I wore when I was ten."

"Well baby you know your dad doesn't like it too much when the young girls dress too risqué," Mom tried to appease me.

I turned to the sales lady hoping she could help me out a little.

An understanding smile touched her lips as she tapped her chin.

"I'm sure we could find something a little more mature but still appropriate.

" She grabbed a few more options for me to try before giving me a wink and sending me back in the change room.

One dress, in particular, caught my eye immediately. It was slinky but not skin-tight. The deep forest-green lace was cut modestly across my chest but then had a completely exposed back. It felt like the perfect bridge between my parent's expectations and my own.

My mom's face was still when I walked out of the dressing room in it.

A breath caught in my throat as I watched her apprehensively.

Her lips pursed slightly as her eyes flicked all over the dress.

I was about to turn around in defeat and go change when my mom finally made eye contact with me. Tears glazed her eyes.

"You look beautiful," she sighed, her voice thick with emotion.

"Do you think Dad will like it?" I asked worriedly.

Mom stepped up to me, patting my face affectionately. "He will love it. It might take him a bit of time to adjust to his baby girl looking like such a young woman—but you look beautiful." She watched me with a twinkle in her eye as I scanned over the dress. This was definitely it.

"I think Archer would probably like it too," Mom mused with a cheeky grin.

I stared at her through the mirror trying to figure out if I'd heard her correctly. "W-what do you mean?" I stuttered.

"Oh baby, if you're trying to keep something a secret maybe don't make out on the front porch," my mom laughed.

My mouth dropped open in mortification. "You saw?" I whispered.

"Well, it's not like I watched," Mom chided. I walked back into the change room in a haze of confusion. "So, are you two dating?" My mom called over the door.

"I'm not really sure... We haven't gotten a chance to talk about it," I replied as I pulled the dress off carefully. "What would you think if I did?"

"Archer is a good boy," Mom said assuredly. "Troubled sometimes I think—but good. You know your father wasn't the best guy ever when we first met."

"Really?" I asked as I walked out.

Mom smiled at me coyly, "Oh yes, when we were in high school I hated him. He fought all the time and was always in detention. He probably would have punched anyone who told him he'd end up working in an office every day and living in the suburbs."

We walked to the till with my dress, laughing at my parent's past. "But eventually," Mom sighed, "your dad shaped up and became the man I love to this day."

"So you would approve... if Archer and I did date?" I asked as we drove home. I kept my eyes on the trees whizzing by outside the window, nervous for her answer.

"I would never tell you not to," she said carefully. "I would tell you to be careful though. Archer reminds me a lot of your father actually. trust me, it's amazing to be loved by a protective man—but you have to make sure you are strong too. Otherwise, they can get carried away."

"Well, I think it's a little early to talk about love, Mom." I laughed trying to lighten the mood.

She flicked her eyes away from the road to smile at me. "Right," is all she said.

Later that night, I was laying on my bed staring daggers at my phone. Archer would have played his game at 4 this afternoon, but it was now midnight and I hadn't heard from him. A pang of disappointment stung my heart. I thought he would at least call me to tell me if he won or not.

My eyelids felt heavy and I was about to give up on Archer when my phone buzzed on my thigh. I sat up quickly grabbing my phone frantically to read the text.

My heart raced as I ran to my window and pushed it open. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness surrounding me, but when they did my lips spread into a wide smile.

Archer was standing on our front lawn smirking up at me.

My cheeks flushed at how handsome he looked—it had really been a long time since I'd seen him.

He was wearing a heavy jean jacket over his usual red plaid button-down with dark pants and brown Timberland boots.

It was all topped off with a backwards black ball-cap that accentuated his square jaw.

"You're like my very own Flynn Ryder!" I whispered with a giggle.

Archer screwed up his face. "Who?"

"We wouldn't have this problem if you let us watch Tangled." I rolled my eyes playfully—though my smile was still permanent.

"Whatever," Archer laughed. "I was going for that Rapunzel shit anyways."

"It hurts. It really does," I sighed as I rested the palm of my hand on my forehead.

"So are you coming down?" Archer called up, keeping his voice low as he flicked his eyes into the other windows.

"What? No way! I would have to sneak out."

Archer chuckled lightly as he rubbed his jaw. "Come on Sweetheart, live a little."

I stared down at him for a moment, deliberating. I had missed him so much and the promise of alone time squeezed my heart with yearning. But I knew my parents would not approve of me going out this late. I felt like a child for caring, but I didn't like disrespecting them—especially in their house.

Finally, the overwhelming need to be held by Archer won.

I threw a crew neck sweater over my leggings before tiptoeing downstairs.

I could hear the pew of video game guns coming from behind Oliver's door, but my parent's room was silent.

I let out a sigh of relief when I made it to the front door without making any noise.

The cold December air prickled my skin as I walked out onto the front porch. The grass was still dry and green of course, but there was a crispness in the air that I loved.

Archer was still standing under my window when I caught sight of him. He spread his arms widely for me as I ran and jumped into his arms. Warmth spread through my chest as his muscular arms squeezed me tightly lifting me so our faces were level.

"We won," he said simply as he pressed his face into my neck. The slight scratch of his stubble against my sensitive skin momentarily distracted me before I registered that he'd spoken.

"Oh my gosh! I knew you would!" I pulled to slap him on the shoulder.

Archer's eyes flicked to my lips as he tightened his arms around my waist. "Sorry I didn't call, but the second we won I got in my truck and started driving home.

I wanted to celebrate with you in person.

" He captured my lips for a quick hard kiss that left me needy for more.

I pouted as he pulled away making him laugh.

"Come on, I want to take you somewhere."

Ten minutes later Archer's truck rumbled up a dirt road.

I bopped around in the passenger seat as the tires hit rocks and potholes.

I had a sneaky suspicion I knew exactly where we were going but I kept quiet.

Sure enough, Archer stopped the truck in a familiar grassy clearing with the headlights aimed at the soft glow of our town shining up to us.

"Alright, you have to promise you'll never tell Ollie I brought you here," Archer said pointing a serious finger at me.

Everything was clicking into place but I needed a bit more information. "Why's that?" I prompted.

"We found this place together when we were kids, but we—uh—promised that we'd never bring anyone else here," Archer said sheepishly.

"That Jerk!" I laughed. "Oliver and I found this place together too... we used to come here all the time. We made the same promise."

"I'm gonna kill him," Archer chuckled. "Do you know how guilty I felt about wanting to bring you here?"

"Clearly not bad enough to keep the promise," I sassed making him poke me in the ribs.

We walked through the clearing hand-in-hand to the lookout.

I smiled down at Bellmere as the streetlights made a grid of yellow glowing balls.

Archer stepped behind me, tucking me against his chest and dropping his chin onto my head.

We stayed like that for a while—silently watching cars drive slowly around the streets below.

Archer's hands travelled to my stomach, making my pulse quicken.

He slowly traced his fingers up until he almost touched my bra before brushing down below my belly button.

My mouth went dry as tingles fuzzed my brain.

Every time his hand skated close to my breast, my breath hitched in my throat.

I dropped my head back against his bicep, surrendering to his slow exploration.

I didn't know how to ask for more, but Archer had me wound up so tight—I needed him to keep going.

He lifted one hand to gently grasp my chin, turning it up to him.

I smiled softly as he dropped his lips to mine.

The hand still splayed across my stomach held me close to him, while he devoured my mouth.

"I missed you," he said quietly as he pulled away. I turned around in his arms, wrapping his stomach in a tight hug as I pressed my face into his chest.

"I missed you too," I whispered. A wave of emotion hit me as I listened to his heart beat consistently in my ear.

My arms tightened around him as it hit me how important Archer was to me.

It was like listening to the proof of him being here with me—alive and well—made me realize how much I needed it to stay that way.