there somewhat speechless before replying. “Ah, yeah, for sure. That sounds wonderful. Thank you so much for even considering me, Professor,” she said.
“You are quite welcome. If you wouldn’t mind signing the rights to publish, I have the form on my desk,” Kintag responded, moving back towards the desk to open the drawer. He pulled out some papers and handed them to Addison.
Addison shoved her backpack into Archer’s awaiting hands and hastily signed her name and the date onto various papers before leaving the lecture room, still in shock.
“Congratulations,” Archer said with a smile.
“Oh, thanks,” she said meekly. “I really didn’t expect that. I had just been hoping to pass. You know, ‘Ps get degrees’ and all that.”
“Then I guess you’re a natural. I don’t doubt that you deserve it,” he said, opening the door. “Hungry?”
“Always,” she said with a small smile.
***
They sat down in a booth and began browsing through the menu. The waiter approached their table, and his eyes were focused on Addison. Archer said nothing. Addison wasn’t his. Yes, he was attracted to her, but he had no business controlling who did or didn’t look at her.
“Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked, still staring unabashedly at Addison. Archer looked at the guy and noticed that he wasn’t bad looking. He had tawny hair that was strategically messed up, his eyes were dark brown, and he was of average height. Archer wanted to kick himself for even caring about something so stupid.
Addison looked up at the waiter politely. “Hi, yes. Um, could I please get a chicken burger with extra fries and a side of nachos? Oh, and an apple juice, please.”
“Sure,” the waiter responded with a leisurely smile and begun walking away.
“Wait,” Addison called, her cheeks burning with colour. “Ah, that was just for me. Archer, what would you like?”
The waiter’s brows drew up in surprise, as if he hadn’t even realised Archer was there. When his eyes drank in the huge sight of him, he stood a little straighter and looked at him expectantly.
Archer gave him points for not paling.
“Just a Coke, thanks,” he said shortly, expecting the man to leave.
Instead, the waiter looked back to Addison and smiled slowly. “I’ll push your order up so that you don’t have to wait too long.”
Addison shook her head. “No need, take your time,” she said, making the waiter smile before she said, “We aren’t in any rush, are we Archer?”
Archer smiled and touched her hand, making her eyes widen slightly and the waiter scowl. “Not at all.”
The waiter left quickly, but Archer didn’t move his hand.
“What was that?” Addison asked.
“What was what?” Archer asked innocently.
Addison looked pointedly at their hands, and said, “That.”
Archer removed his fingers from where they rested gently and shrugged nonchalantly. “Nothing.” What the hell was he doing? First he goes all He-Man on her, then does a three-sixty.
Addison was about to respond when the waiter came back, drinks in hand.
“For you,” he said, handing the apple juice to Addison, “and for your boyfriend?” He put the Coke in front of Archer with less finesse.
“Oh, he’s not my boyfriend,” Addison corrected, glancing at Archer as if he would challenge her.
The waiter beamed, and Archer resisted wiping the grin off his face. Was he actually upset with her denial?
“My name is Mark. I think I’ve seen you around campus, actually,” he said, turning to face Addison directly, effectively cutting Archer out.
Addison smiled. “I’m Addison. You probably have. I don’t think I’ve seen you around, though. What’s your major?”
The man’s smile didn’t waver. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m in my second year of nursing.”
Archer smothered a laugh at that. Addison noticed and shot him a glare.
“I’m in my third year of law, so that would explain it.”
“Our food?” Archer cut in, tired
Learning to Kill: Stories