Page 128 of Bridesmaid By Chance
“Not to burst your bubble, man, but I’m not much of a cigar guy.”
Archie pauses and then turns toward me. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, but please, feel free. I don’t mind at all. My dad always smoked cigars. I have a time or two, but it’s just not my thing.”
Archie chuckles and says, “Mine neither. I just do it because of my dad.”
That makes me laugh. “Did your dad make you smoke during casual business meetings?”
“Yes,” Archie says. “And it was not the end of the world, but I don’t know, Sheridan is not a fan, and I just don’t have a strong penchant to smoke. I was offering because, well, that’s what I’ve been told to do.”
“You don’t need to with me.”
“If that’s the case, I have the perfect thing for us. Do you like sparkling water with lime?”
I chuckle. “Sounds great.”
Archie flags down a server, tells them we will be out on the terrace, and to please bring two sparkling waters. Then we head down the hall and out two French doors to a terrace that overlooks the courtyard. A bistro table is off to the right, which Archie snags for us.
When we both take a seat and get settled, I look around and say, “I can see why this is such a hidden gem and an exclusive club. Having a piece in the city like this, where it’s calm, it’s truly breathtaking.”
“It is. I’m excited to be over here full-time.”
“Is that happening after the wedding?” I ask as our drinks are set down at our table, along with some cookies—or biscuits as they call them here.
We both thank the server and Archie says, “Yes. We’re going to Fiji for our honeymoon and then headed back to the States to wrap up some packing, but after that, straight to London to be closer to my dad and family.”
“How is he doing?”
Archie looks out toward the sky. “He’s hanging on.”
I can tell how uncomfortable he is talking about it, so I quickly move on, not wanting to make him upset. “I’m glad to hear it. I’m assuming you’ve already secured a flat?”
“We have,” he answers, looking grateful for the quick change in subject. “It’s currently being renovated, so we’re staying with my parents, but we were able to take a peek at it yesterday, and they just finished installing the wallpaper.” Archie smiles to himself. “Sheridan was brimming with excitement.”
“That’s great.” I sip my sparkling water.
“Hey.” Archie nudges me. “Yesterday, with Devin, everything okay there?”
“Yeah,” I say, trying to be nonchalant. This is business; I shouldn’t be inserting my personal grievances, but then again…this is the perfect segue into making sure Devin stays as far away from Sloane as possible. “Why?”
“Just seemed tense between you two.”
I take another sip and then set my drink down. “Can I level with you and you not hold it against me?”
“Of course.”
“Devin and Sloane used to date casually, and he had an impact on her life that I don’t care for—not a bad one but…just an impact, if you know what I mean.”
“Ah, yes,” he says in understanding.
“I’ve received the impression from Devin that he has zero boundaries when it comes to Sloane being married.”
Archie nods “Yeah, I get that. He’s always been that way. Flirtatious and pushing the limit. I had a sense that he was doing that last night.”
“He was, and I didn’t appreciate it, but I tried to remain calm and collected at dinner.”
“But inwardly you wanted to bash his brains in?”
