But even a delicious breakfast couldn’t distract her from a series of vicious thoughts. What if this is just a bit of fun for Archer? What if he’s with me to make Madison jealous? What if I never see him again after this holiday?

Eventually, it was time to go back to the room, which she did to find it in pristine condition with all the amenities replenished. She checked her appearance in the large mirror that ran the length of the two-sink vanity, then looked herself in the eye.

“Right, Chloe Sims. When he gets back, you are telling Archer how you feel. And if he doesn’t feel the same way, you’re getting on a bus straight back to Oxfordshire, and you will spend the next few days having a lovely time with Max and Susan before getting on that plane.”

The pep talk did little to assuage the turmoil she was in, however, and she spent the rest of the time waiting for Archer reading a book she’d brought with her—well, staring at the same page over and over and not taking in any of it. Usually she dived right into a gory crime thriller, but that day, blood spatter was far less gruesome than what had occurred earlier.

She heard the key card in the lock just before lunch and looked up. Instead of Archer, in walked an enormous bunch of pink lilies, and her face involuntarily broke into a smile. Archer moved the flowers to the side and grinned at her. “Hello, lovely,” he said, his face filled with affection.

Everything she’d rehearsed, the stoic, calm greeting, flew out of her head as she launched herself off the couch and threw her arms around his neck. He pulled her close with his free arm, laughing gleefully at her effusive hello. She breathed in his spicy scent mixed with the sweetness of the lilies.

“I missed you,” she mumbled into his neck. When she lifted her face to his, he looked into her eyes for a moment before bending to press his mouth softly to hers.

“I missed you, too.” He stepped back slightly, and she felt the loss of his touch intensely. “These are for you, as a thank you gift for being so patient.” If only he knew how much I deserve these.

“Thank you,” she said graciously. She was about to take the flowers from him when his expression changed, suddenly serious. “Chloe, something’s happened. What is it?” That he could know that just by looking at her answered Chloe’s most pressing question, the one that had played on repeat in her mind ever since Madison’s intrusion.

He feels the same way.

“Well … look, there’s no easy way to tell you, so I’m just gonna say it. Madison let herself into the room and found me in the bath.” In any other circumstance, the look on his face would have been comical. “Yes, that. That was pretty much my reaction too.”

Archer seemed to gather his wits somewhat, placing the bouquet on a table near the door before making his way to the couch. He plopped down, a frown settling onto his handsome features. Chloe sat next to him and tucked her feet beneath her.