Chapter Thirty-Five

"Ugh, I don't know why I'm so nervous!" I say to myself in the mirror as I fix the piece of hair I've been working on for what seems like an hour. "Get it together, Alison! You've met his family. You've spent quite a bit of time with them actually. This is no different."

I try to talk myself off the ledge as I finish up my hair. What should've been a quick fifteen minute task has turned into close to an hour now.

In fact, Archer is going to be here any minute and I'm still not dressed. I give one last attempt at the piece of hair that's refusing to cooperate before throwing down my hair tools and calling it quits.

"Okay, dress. Dress. Dress. Where's my dress?" I say as I start wandering my room like a chicken with its head cut off.

I catch something red and shimmery out of the corner of my eye and dart towards it. With only a bit of a struggle, I get it on and turn towards the mirror, trying to zip it.

"Crap!" I shout. I had tried the dress on a thousand times to make sure it was perfect for today, but I always had Willow here to help zip it. I didn't think about the fact that she wouldn't actually be here today.

I do all I can to contort my body, trying to get the dang zipper all the way up. I twist my body in ways I hadn't thought possible, ignoring the protests coming from my joints. I'm determined to get this dress on. This is the perfect dress. It has to be this dress.

My attempt at being a contortionist is interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" I call to the door, not wanting to lose focus.

"Archer."

I practically jump at the sound of his voice. Crap! I'm not ready for him to be here. I do a scan of the room, trying to think what to do. I turn back towards the mirror. The zipper is only halfway up my back.

"Alison?" his voice sounds through the door again.

"Uh, yeah, come in," I say, my voice muffled as I try the zipper one last time.

I'm greeted by the sound of his footsteps and a soft laugh. "What's got you all bent out of shape?" he asks, clearly trying to hide the humor in his voice.

"Very funny," I respond, rolling my eyes. I continue fighting the zipper, determined to not let it best me.

"You know, I can help with that, if you'd like. I have quite a bit of experience with helping in that department."

I instantly turn towards Archer, my eyes wide as my hands finally fall from the zipper.

"No! Not like that." He takes a deep breath as he runs his hand through his hair. "I just mean. I have experience getting girls dressed."

My eyes go wider.

"Agh! No! I just mean . . ." He lets out a sign. "Juliet. My little sister. I would help her get ready for school every morning from when she was little and just . . . nevermind. Do you want me to help?" I can't help but laugh at Archer's red face.

"Yes, I would like that a lot actually. My wrists are kind of over this," I answer as I shake out my hands, hoping to ease some of the pain.

Without hesitation, Archer walks up behind me. He gently grabs the zipper and the side of my dress and effortlessly zips it closed. I let out a sigh of relief.

"All done," he says as he leans over and kisses my back on the bare skin right above the zipper. I turn towards him and smile. He gently lifts my hands in his and kisses me on each wrist before flipping over my hands and kissing them on the other side.

"Babe, next time, just ask for help. I don't mind. You know I was on my way at this point." The butterflies in my stomach are let loose at the sound of him calling me babe. I'm sure what is a super dopey grin creeps over my face. Thankfully, Archer doesn't acknowledge it. "I have to say though, that dress is fantastic. Red is definitely your color."

He turns away from me and starts searching the room. "Where's your coat?" he asks.

I point him in the right direction. He grabs it off the hook and holds it out for me. I slowly slip one arm in and then the other. I reach to zip it but he's there before I can even get my finger on the zipper, pulling it closed.

"Shoes?"

I point again. He grabs them from the floor and then puts his hands on my shoulders as he guides me down to the bed. Once I'm sitting, he bends down and starts putting a shoe on my foot. I quickly pull my foot away, embarrassed.

"Archer, I can do this myself," I say, reaching for my shoe.

He pulls the shoe back. "I know you can. But let me. You're in pain. Why make your pain worse when I'm completely capable of doing this?"

I want to argue with him again and fight him to let me do it on my own. I mean I go on stage in worse pain and perform a whole show for goodness sake. But when I stop and look at his determined face as he tries to gently buckle the strap, I pause.

I see the care on his face. The look of pride when he finally gets it on and looks up at me. For once, someone wants to take care of me because they care and not because it benefits them.

So I let him get the other shoe on for me.

"There!" he exclaims. "Perfect." He looks down to admire his handy work. I quickly lean forward and kiss the top of his head.

"Thank you," I whisper.

He looks up at me and smiles. He reaches his hand out, and take it without hesitation. He lifts our hands up to his lips, kissing the back of my hand before he gently pulls me to my feet.

"You know, you look amazing." He beams at me. "But you didn't have to wear something uncomfortable just to impress my family. I'm pretty sure they already like you. I know I do." He pulls on one of my ringlets.

I smile back at him as I point to the small tote bag by the door. "Leggings and a sweater," I say. "For after dinner."

"I knew I was with a smart girl," he laughs as he guides me to the door, grabbing the bag as we head out.