Page 26 of Archer
When Crispin walked out of the studio, I had to stop myself from staring. I’d only ever seen him in yoga gear or the casual clothes he wore when making deliveries, but tonight? He looked incredible. Crispin was wearing slim, dark jeans paired with a simple white button-up, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing a glimpse of his toned arms. His hair, which was always a bit messy from teaching classes, had a sexy I-woke-up-like-this look that suited him.
“So, where are we going?” he asked.
“I thought we’d have a picnic in the park and watch the play,” I said, trying to keep it casual but feeling my nerves creep back in.
Crispin’s eyes lit up, and his smile widened. “That sounds perfect. I love picnics.” His enthusiasm was like a weight lifting off my shoulders, and I found myself smiling back.
As we walked to the park, the golden light of the setting sun was bathing the city in a soft glow, making everything feel a little more magical. We found a cozy spot under a large oak tree, the kind of place that felt private despite being surrounded by other people setting up for the show. I spread out the blanket, and Crispin immediately noticed the charcuterie box.
“Oh wow, Archer. This looks incredible!”
I flipped open the lid and held it out. “Go ahead, help yourself.”
He reached in and pulled out a strawberry, taking a bite as his eyes scanned the assortment of cheeses, meats, and fresh fruits.
“I’ve seen these on Luxe’s menu before but never had an excuse to try one. You really went all out,” he said, a hint of teasing in his voice.
“I figured if we were having a picnic, we should do it right,” I replied, feeling a little proud of myself for picking something he liked.
We spent the next few minutes talking and picking at the food while we waited for the play to start. Crispin picked up a pickle and glanced at the stage. “You know, I’ve always wanted to do community theater.”
“Really?” I asked, intrigued. “I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah. I think it’d be fun. Maybe one day I’ll audition. Not any time soon, of course, but once the yoga studio is mine, maybe I can find the time.” His voice was light, but there was a wistfulness in his tone that made me think he was serious.
As the play started, I felt Crispin’s hand brush against mine. I glanced at him, and he gave me this soft, genuine smile that made my heart skip a beat. There was something so natural,so easy about the way we were together, and it felt right. We sat there, hands occasionally touching, sharing quiet laughs and comments during the play, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself just enjoy the moment.
As the play went on, a sense of contentment settled over me. Being with Crispin felt so natural, so easy, that it was as if we’d known each other for years instead of a short while. The connection between us was undeniable.
By the time the sun had fully set and stars began to dot the night sky, I leaned back on my elbows, taking a deep breath. The cool evening air carried the faint scent of fresh grass, and the distant hum of the town filled the spaces between us. Everything about the night felt right—simple but perfect in its own way.
When the play ended, neither of us moved right away. We stayed, letting the crowd thin out around us, savoring the peace. Crispin turned to me, his eyes soft, a gentle smile on his lips.
“Thank you for tonight,” he said quietly, his gaze holding mine. “It was truly wonderful.”
“I’m glad you liked it. But the night’s still young. How about a walk?”
His smile grew, that same warmth lighting up his face, and he nodded without hesitation. We stood and began strolling through the park. The crisp fall air was reason enough for me to wrap my arm around him and pull him close as we walked.
Crispin started telling me stories from his days of food delivery, and I found myself hanging on every word. His eyes sparkled as he recounted some of the crazier deliveries he’d made. I didn’t love that he’d had to work so hard, and there was a part of me that wasn’t thrilled about how unpredictable—and sometimes unsafe—his job could be. I did enjoy hearing him laugh, though.
I admired the way he found humor in even the most chaotic moments. His ability to turn the absurd into something worth laughing about was something I really liked about him, and I loved the way he found the silver lining in every situation.
Before long, we found ourselves near a small pond. The fountain in the center shimmered under the moonlight, the soft splashing of water adding a serene soundtrack to the moment. It was beautiful, and for a second, I wished I had my camera with me to capture the scene. But then I looked at Crispin, and I realized something—it had been a long time since I’dliveda moment instead of trying to capture it through a lens. Being with him made me want to experience things fully, not just observe them. He made me want to be present.
I stopped walking, turning to face him. My hand tightened around his as I pulled him closer. “Has anyone ever told you you’re beautiful?” I asked softly.
Crispin’s eyes widened a little, and he ducked his chin, shaking his head. “Not and meant it.”
I reached out, gently tilting his chin up with my finger until his gaze met mine. “Well, baby boy, I mean it,” I whispered, my voice low, but steady.
His breath hitched just slightly as I leaned down, brushing my lips across his in the lightest of kisses. It wasn’t hurried or desperate, just slow and soft, filled with all the tenderness I felt. Crispin sighed, and when our lips parted, he let his forehead rest against my chest, his hands wrapping around my waist.
Crispin
Archer had called me beautiful but didn’t even try to get down my pants. He’d complimented me because he’d meant it. And a picnic? How freaking romantic was that? His broody mask hid a big ol’ marshmallow, and I was so here for it.
Deciding to stop in at Bram’s bakery again, I saw Elton sitting at the same table as yesterday, but this time, he had on bright pajama bottoms with some kind of cartoon character on them. I held in a giggle. This guy looked like my kind of people. There was a college-aged girl working at the counter today, so I quickly ordered a tea before Archer’s friend spotted me and convinced me that I needed food for breakfast. That scone was delicious, but I really wasn’t that hungry in the mornings.