“So …” he began cryptically, his face softening slightly. Chloe had no idea what to read into that either. They hadn’t been together long enough for her to know his repertoire of tells.

“So,” she mirrored tentatively.

“I’ve read George’s press release. It’s good—succinct, clear, and far more respectful towards Madison that I would have been. He has refuted the accusations outright, and …” Archer took a deep breath. “If you agree, then the final sentence will state that you and I are in a committed relationship.”

If I agree?

He looked at her, his eyes full of hope, and swallowed as though he was nervous. So, he wasn’t there to end things. “Oh,” gasped Chloe, tears springing to her eyes. A raspy, shuddering breath took hold and she placed a hand to her chest, just like Lucy would.

“Chloe?” Archer was studying her, his eyes still hopeful. “Are you all right?” She nodded, grinning through her tears that spilled onto her cheeks. “What’s … I’m not sure I follow?” He shook his head slightly, as though confused.

Chloe caught her breath. “It’s just … the expression on your face when you arrived … I … I thought you wanted to end things.”

“What? Why?”

“But you don’t …”

“No, no of course not. But I was worried that you … that given some time to think things through, this would all be too much for you, that you wouldn’t want me. That’s why … I was terrified coming here.” He looked down at his hands that were wringing in his lap.

“Hey.” Chloe placed her small hands over his to still them. “Archer, look at me.” He looked up, his eyes now a stormy steel blue, and Chloe touched her palm to his cheek. His eyes closed for a second, then he took her hand in both of his and pressed it to his lips.

Their eyes met again. “We’re both quite stupid, aren’t we?” she asked.

He grinned, then shook his head as another look of confusion passed across his face. “Wait, how so?”

“Well, we’ve told each other, ‘I love you’ and here we are, one day in, experiencing a minor blip, and we’re already doubting how the other feels. Like I said, stupid.”

He sniggered softly and nodded in acquiescence. “It is rather, though I am not quite sure I’d call this a minor blip.” They exchanged wry smiles. “Are you sure?” he asked softly, suddenly serious again.

“About you, yes?”

“I mean … about, well, everything else.”

“To be honest, I’d been going back and forth since we got the call from George.” He nodded and dropped his eyes. “But then as soon as I saw you, just now, I knew. I love you, and if that means there are blips from time to time, then … well, then we face them together. Okay?”

He looked up. “God, you’re just …” He stopped his own thought by leaning in and kissing her hard on the mouth. When he pulled back, he gazed at her intently. “I am the luckiest man on earth.”