chapter twenty six
824 Words
When Archer stepped outside to call his driver. I expected the man to roll up in a limousine with a full bar and a desktop computer with a flat display of . Instead he'd ordered a sleek white convertible with a smooth body and an engine so powerful that the driver barely had to touch the accelerator.
I had the driver roll the top down so I could feel the cold air blasting me face hoping it would make me wake up and focus . All it did was mess up my hair.
I made it home and got ready for work. Laura called when I got out of the shower . I dried my hands off and wrapped the towel around me before I answered and grabbed a brush so I could ease out some of the tangles.
"Hello?"
"Maya..." Laura whined
I didn't care if six Mr beetles came into the store . You are not getting away from this one again. Archer got us a guard.
"A guard?"
"Yes , you don't have to worry. "I pulled the brush through my hair .
"I don't have to drive to work alone , Maya. Can we use the buddy system?"
"Then I'll have to drive all the way to your house , wait for you to get ready , then drive back to the bakery . It's too much of a hassle."
"I'm outside."
"Seriously ?" I looked out my front window. She waved at me .
"Give me a second. " I hung up and went back to hacking at my hair with the brush. I got ready as fast as I could but we were still late in leaving. Fortunately,Laura already had coffee waiting for me, so I had a lot of energy when we pulled up.
''How'd you manage to get up this early?'' I unlocked the back door.
''I've been up all nig worrying.''
''About Mr .Beetle?''
''Yes .I dont like it.I know it's weierd but he's starting to get me .I can't get rid of that smell , and every time I close my eyes ,I see him looking at me through those thick glasses of his.''She hunched down like a turtle , c****d her head , and squinted .It was a perfect impression.
''Hey,Maya.''Her voice was too high , but I laughed anyway .
I grabbed my apron and put it on.''He attacked Archer last night.''
''You did not just say that .''She pulled a muffin off a cooling rack .
''What happened ?''
''Lat night , Archer took me to that lobster place I lke , and they were having the street music festival , so we danced in the square , and this jazz lady was singing. It was wonderful . Then ou of nowhere ,Beetle ran out of the cowd with a metal bar and bashed him in the face.''
''Is he okay?''
''He's fine .I'm more worried about Mr .Beetle. Archer lost control when Bettle went after him.H dropped Beetle went after him .He dropped Beetle went after him. He dropped Beetle and kept him .He dropped Beetle and kept kicking him in the ribs .I hda to pull him away before things went too far.''I went into the walk -in to pull out a box of oanges and fresh ginger root.
When I turned around ,Laura was leaning at me with her mouth hanging slghtly open .''So , Archer lpst control?''
''It wasn't that bad .i mean ,Beetle did attack him.'
''Yeah , but still .You said Archer lost control .Do you think he would've stopped if you hadn't pulled him away?''
I walked past her and set the produce down on the table .''I know what you're getting at, and it's a bunch of crap .he was just being protective.''
''There's a fine lne between protection and aggression , and I know , whether you'll admit it or not, that he crossed it.''
I turned to look at Laura .I'm surprised you're reacting lke this . You've been so freaked out by Mr.Bettle , you don't even want to be in the bakery by yourself .What would you do if Beetle tried to come at you?''
She took a bite of her muffin , chewed , and swallowed .''You've got a point.''
''Archer's reaction was a little much , but I don't really blame him.''
''Just be careful''
I'm alright . Now help me zest these oranges .''
She lfted her hands to show me the peels embedded underneath her fingernails.''I've had enough zesting for a lufetime .''
''Then do theginger.''
''It burns .I'll make the cookie mix.''
''Despite everything that happened with Mr Beetle .I think things with Archer are going to go well.''''I pulled a zester off the rack obove the stove.''He told me that he really likes me and that he wants to keep seeing me.''
''Are you sure he's being honest? You told me you thought
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