Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“Don’t move,” I say, pointing at him. “I got something for you, too.”
I race down the stairs to retrieve the present I’d gotten for Archer, suddenly giddy to have him open it.
The box is large and bulky, so I take my time carrying it back up the steps. I make a little sound of dismay when I see he’s no longer sitting at the table, but then I see him on his own roof, heading back toward me.
“Here, wait. Stay there,” I say, walking toward him. “This actually goes right where you’re standing.”
I start to step over the gap between our two roofs, but he makes a sharp warning noise. “Careful. It’s icy.”
Archer sets aside the blanket he must have retrieved while I was downstairs and takes the gift from me.
He surprises me then, setting the gift next to the blanket and extending a hand to me. I hesitate a moment before taking it. Rationally, I know he’s just being a gentleman to keep me from slipping.
Emotionally, touching him seems…
Risky.
Finally, I place my hand in his. I don’t mean to look at him. I don’t want to look at him, but my gaze is pulled to his like a magnet.
Carefully, I step onto his roof, but not carefully enough, because my foot slips just a little. His other hand comes up to my back to steady me. “Okay?” he asks.
I let out a laugh that sounds a bit strained with embarrassment and… something.
“Yeah. I’m good.”
His blue eyes hold mine for a moment longer before he nods and releases me.
He looks down at the gift. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t be that guy. Just open it.”
Archer sets the box on the ground, kneeling to unwrap it as I watch with my bottom lip between my teeth, suddenly self-conscious. The idea for Archer’s gift had come to me on a whim a couple of weeks ago. I actually hadn’t even known it existed, but was thrilled when a bit of googling helped me find exactly what I’d been envisioning.
Now, however, it seems…
Goofy.
Maybe even outright embarrassing.
But when he finishes tearing off the paper, he doesn’t laugh.
In fact, he doesn’t do or say anything at all. He just stares at the image and name printed on the side of the large box.
“It’s a lamp,” I explain nervously. “Made for the outdoors. It’s meant to emulate the moonlight, and I thought maybe… I thought you could use it when there isn’t enough actual light for you to draw.”
“Damn,” he says softly.
“Stupid?” I ask, shoving my hands into my parka pockets.
Archer sets a hand atop the box and glances up at me. “No. It’s a good gift, Randy. Really good.”
I exhale in relief.
He stands and shoves his own hands into his pockets. “Want to put our new gifts to use?” he asks.
There’s a hopefulness in his voice that causes a strange ache in my chest.
“But, if it’s too cold—”
“Not too cold,” I interrupt in an excited rush, though suspicion nips at the back of my mind that my enthusiasm doesn’t just stem from the telescope.
Archer nods toward his door. “I’ll go grab my stuff.” Then he points at my roof. “Do not slip and die getting back over there.”
I give him a little salute and gingerly make my way over to my own roof, though the gap between the buildings isn’t much of a threat to anything other than my ego if I were to slip.
Once I land safely, I settle behind the telescope, letting out a happy sigh of delight when I position it and get my first look. Being just across the river from Manhattan means the stargazing conditions are hardly ideal. Even with a body of water between me and the skyscrapers, their light pollution is still very present. But even that can’t dampen the wonder of it.
Not too long later, I hear the bang of Archer’s door as he comes back outside, followed by the sound of a box cutter and the rustle of packaging.
A long time later, I pull myself away from my new telescope and glance over to see him busily sketching away, his new moon lamp giving off a warm, soft glow beside him.
And then, even though it’s late, I go back to stargazing, surprised to realize that my desire for an early bedtime and being alone don’t seem to apply when I’m up here.
Mostly, I try very hard not to think about the reason. Or that the man beside me might be the very thing my horoscope was warning me about.
CAPRICORN SEASON
Today’s energy will feel distinctly conflicted for you, darling Gemini. A nagging awareness lies beneath the surface. Resist the urge to dig too deep too fast. The universe’s timetable is not to be trifled with.
Oh my god. Please no,” I say, urgently pivoting away from the mirror and craning my neck over my shoulder so I can see my back in the reflection. “Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”