An amused smile pulled at his lips. “I wasn’t planning to go for any fake excuse. You look amazing. I have no problem telling you that.”
After a moment of silent astonishment, Ridley turned away to hide both her frustration and her flushed cheeks. “I thought we were supposed to be looking for Callie.”
“Yes, that’s her in the green dress. Behind the flowers.”
“That’s what I was asking you,” Ridley replied with a groan. “Anyway, it’s good to know she’s definitely here. But we can’t talk to her in this room. We need to get her out somehow.”
“Yes, definitely.”
“Also,” Ridley added, “I think I should talk to her alone.”
Archer leaned sideways against the railing and looked at Ridley. “You think she might hold a personal grudge against me, like Malachi?
Ridley shrugged. “There’s always a
