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)
“Miranda’s going to tutor me!” Kylee blurts out, her voice suddenly much too loud.
“Yeah? Hopefully not in botany. She sucks,” Archer says, adding a wink for Kylee.
“Archer and I share a greenhouse,” I explain to Christian.
I don’t add that I’m sharing it reluctantly. But it was part of the deal we struck for him helping me build the thing. It’s half his, although why he insisted on the provision, I don’t know. He spends more time criticizing my care of the plants than anything else.
“Archer. I love that name,” Kylee gushes as she stares with starry eyes at the brooding artist and royal pain in my side.
Poor thing’s flirting skills are nearly as awkward as mine.
“It’s his last name,” I add, though I don’t really know why. “First name is Simon.”
I’d learned that from Wikipedia, too.
He catches my eye and glares.
Oh yeah, that’s why I pointed it out. He hates the name Simon.
“An urban greenhouse. That’s really cool,” Christian chimes in. Then he sets his hand atop Kylee’s head. “Come on, kid. Let’s let Miranda get back to her day.” He glances back at me. “If the rates we texted about are okay, and we haven’t scared you off in person, how’s next Tuesday work as a start date?”
“Perfect. And thanks so much for the opportunity,” I say quickly, not quite ready to let this perfect specimen walk away before I’ve made an impression. “I mean, it’ll be nice to stay sharp on the cosmos during the sabbatical.”
Oh dear god.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Archer’s lips press together and roll inward, as though holding in a laugh.
I say goodbye to the Hugheses, managing not to say anything else to embarrass myself further.
Archer waits until I close the door and then leans a shoulder against it, smirking down at me. “So. That was… something.”
I groan. “Was it that bad?”
“An improvement from the phone call. Barely. Just one little note—”
“What?”
His hand lifts to his face, fingers brushing the side of his mouth. “Right here. You’ve got some drool…”
I make a grumbling noise and turn to head back to the kitchen. “Since you’re so good at seeing yourself in, I’m sure you’ll have no problem seeing yourself out,” I call over my shoulder.
“What about our basil?”
“It’s fine. Go back to being a weird recluse in your weird studio!”
I actually don’t know that his studio’s weird, just that it’s very off-limits, which he’s told me about nine million times even though I haven’t so much as set foot in his house, much less his precious studio.
Some of us have manners.
“I’m taking a day off. Not all of us gotta stay sharp on the cosmos,” he calls after me.
I’m in the other room now, but I extend my hand and a middle finger in an unfamiliar, but very satisfying, gesture.
I hear him chuckle, and then the front door opens and closes once more.
I head straight for my laptop and begin researching books about astrology and relationships.
Suddenly I find I’m very interested to learn what the Horoscope Project will mean for my love life.
LIBRA SEASON
Today will be one of relaxed contemplation. The Moon slips into Gemini tonight, prompting you to face emotions previously stifled. Don’t fight the unexpected urge for openness, and don’t try to go it alone. A listening ear will find you, perhaps from an unexpected source.
Already took care of them,” Archer says, the scratch of his charcoal over his easel never pausing.
I glance over at his roof in surprise. “You watered the Buzzes?”
He shrugs. “Wasn’t sure you’d be up here tonight.”
“Really? Three-quarter moon in Gemini on a clear autumn night?” I glance up. “This is what I live for.”
“Yeah, but it’s also a Friday night, Randy. Typically, it’s a popular one for going into the city, seeing friends. Hooking up.”
“Hooking up?” I repeat in surprise. “Do you need me to give you a ride to the frat house?”
“You know what I mean. Dating. Sex.”
He waggles his eyebrows at that last one, but I ignore him.
“Saw the kid yesterday bounding up to your front door,” Archer says after a moment. “Seemed way too excited for someone who’s doing after-hours science.”
I smile. “She reminds me of me at that age. We’ve only had a couple sessions so far, but she’s impatient that she doesn’t know it all yet.”
“They don’t teach star stuff in school?”
“They do teach star stuff, but it’s just the basics: the Earth revolves around the sun, the names of the planets, our solar system is one of billions, yada yada. They don’t get to the really good stuff.”
“You ever think of teaching kids? Like Kylee’s age? Or was it always college students?”
I tilt my head, studying him. “You’re awfully chatty tonight.”
“Bored,” he says, and though his tone matches his claim, I must be getting to know the man better than I realized, because I don’t think it’s the whole truth. I don’t think Simon Archer is nearly as indifferent to the people around him as he pretends to be. I also get the sense that tonight he wants a distraction from his own thoughts.