Chapter 33

6 Months Later

"I thought we agreed to an off-white dress? "

"Yes, and then we landed on ‘screw it, you only get married once, so go bright or go home,' remember?" Scarlett reminded Grace.

"You're right though, It's absolutely gorgeous," Grace admitted.

"Now hold still while I finish your eyeliner."

"Don't you think the tiara is a bit much though?" Grace asked with concern.

"Are you kidding? If it were up to me, you'd be wearing a larger one," Scarlett replied.

"It is up to you. It's literally your day," Grace chuckled. "And you really shouldn't be doing my makeup."

"Like I'm going to let someone mess up your face for my big day. Besides, I know exactly how you like it. There," Scarlett said, with one final brush stroke. "You are perfect."

Grace looked at her reflection and was amazed by what Scarlett had accomplished.

"Wait, this is…"

"Yes, the same make-up look I did for you for your messed up blind date. Except, I'm insisting on a red lip this time. I need my maid of honour to look hot in all the photos. And maybe you will catch a certain someone's eye, you never know," Scarlett let slip out.

"Is this why you insist on doing my hair and makeup?" Grace gasped , then giggled at Scarlett's fake outraged face.

"I mean, I do want you to look perfect in my pictures, obviously, but don't think I haven't noticed you and Mr. Kennedy acting friendly again."

"We're just happy that our campaign has been such a success. We're on a celebrating high, that's all," Grace explained.

"Grace, cut the shit. You two were straight-up flirting in our meeting last week. It was so obvious that you made me blush. Everyone has noticed the shift in your dynamic over the last two months. There's actually a bet. You know what, never mind."

"Spill it," Grace demanded.

"It's more like a pool. The office might be placing bets on when you two will finally get together."

"They are?" Grace asked, mortified.

"Yeah, but those losers can eat it. I know you best, and I've got the pool in the bag."

"When did you pick?"

"That, I'm not allowed to say. If it looks like I influenced the outcome in any way, I won't get to claim the pot."

"What's wrong with me Scarlett?" Grace moaned. "I should still kind of hate him, right?"

"Look where we live Grace. Look all around you. Just last week we had those winged demon creatures running havoc for three days. Sure, they weren't big enough to pick anyone up, but they kept getting caught in people's hair, and were super annoying."

"People died too," Grace reminded her.

"What I mean is, life is too short to hold grudges, especially when he has repeatedly shown you what kind of a man he is. Did he fuck up? Yes, but I know you're feeling him again, and he has never stopped being madly in love with you."

"When d id you become the smart, wise one?" Grace joked.

"Babe, I have been all along," Scarlett stated. "Promise me you will have fun tonight, and let what should happen, happen."

"I'll try my best."

Grace thought the ceremony was beautiful. She had questioned Scarlett's decision to have her bridesmaids in white, while the bride wore a full black wedding dress. Lucas wore a light grey, almost white tux, while his groomsmen wore black. She admitted it was a stunning display, even with the gas masks on.

Luckily the eye-ball popping gas dissipated before pictures could be taken.

The ceremony was held in the back garden of the wedding venue, with the reception taking place in the ballroom.

Archer wasn't a groomsman, but was invited as a guest. During Grace's maid of honour speech, she couldn't ignore his intense focus on her. For once, it didn't cause her anxiety but calmed her nerves. His smile offered encouragement, while his eyes shined with pride, affection, and desire. She spoke about her friend, but found she couldn't take her eyes off her boss. When her speech concluded, Scarlett stood beside her clapping, giving Grace one of her knowing looks.

"I saw that," she said softly into Grace's ear. "It's time to stop fighting it. Go find your happiness, Grace."

The two women hugged, then Scarlett stepped away to get ready for her and Lucas's first dance.

"That was a great speech," Archer said in Grace's ear, coming up from behind her. His deep, rich voice sent shivers down her spine.

"Thank you," Grace said, as she watched the newlyweds dance. A smile broke across her face, unable to keep his proximity from affecting her.

"Dance with me?" Archer asked, with his hand out.

Couples started to join Scarlett and Lucas.

"You're my boss, do you think I should?" Grace asked with a teasing smile.

"Aren't you obligated to dance with your boss at these things?" he answered back, with a cheeky grin.

"Well, then, if I have to," Grace said before placing her hand in his.

Archer led her, hand in hand, to the opposite side of the dance floor. It was obvious he wanted an excuse to hold her hand longer, but she played ignorant and slowed her steps to add to the charade.

She thought she'd be nervous about dancing with Archer, being in each other's arms, but when Archer placed his hand on her back and held her close, she found her body relaxed. It felt right.

"Did you see there's a backlog of applications for the special monster hunting licences?" Grace asked excitedly.

"So we're going to talk about work," Archer chuckled.

"I know, it's our day off, but I couldn't help but check. Not only do we have a lot of monster hunters moving in, but there has been a fifteen percent hike in home sales. We knew the campaign was working, but it's working so well," she exclaimed.

"I want to give credit to the morning show for making our campaign go instantly viral, but I think the success really comes down to my bromance with Gus," Archer said, keeping all humour off his face.

Grace burst out laughing.

"Then I should get the credit for everything because I introduced you two in the first place," she giggled.

"Oh, good call. I give you all the credit anyway," he adm itted.

"No you don't, stop it."

"All of it. None of this would've been possible without you. Hell, I almost left and abandoned everything. It's you, Grace. It's all you," he said, his voice husky with emotion.

She looked up at him, and they shared a moment, gazing into each other's eyes while they danced.

"Beautiful wedding," Grace croaked, breaking the moment.

"It is. Our's will be nicer."

"What?" Archer's statement made her stumble and she stepped on his foot.

"And your dog can be the ring bearer. Chewy can even wear a little tux."

"He would hate that," she laughed.

"Okay, fine, we will get a puppy sitter for him, but I insist on bringing him on our honeymoon."

"Archer, don't you think you're skipping a major step? Like maybe a first date?"

"Naw, we had one of those. If you want to get technical."

"That's debatable," she murmured.

"Technically, we had two," Archer said, with a mischievous smile.

"You're an ass," Grace laughed.

"Too soon?"

"Always."

"There is one major moment I don't want to skip," he said in a hushed tone.

"What's that?" Grace whispered back.

Archer let go of her hand and brought his to her cheek. His thumb lighty caressed her bottom lip, as his eyes searched hers for consent. Grace's lips parted in anticipation, as Archer pulled her in closer. He lowered his head and gave her lips a teasing brush with his before their lips met.

This kiss was soft, gentle, and brief. Archer pulled back to look at Grace's face. Both of their eyes were hooded and full of longing.

"Well," Archer said, his voice breaking with need, "That finally happened."

Grace responded by pushing up on her toes and taking his mouth with hers. She kissed him with passion, urgency, and forgiveness. Her lips held a warning, yet invited him in. When she broke their kiss, desire smouldered in their eyes.

A goofy smile spread across Archer's face.

"Be with me?" Archer asked. "I want you, Grace."

"Or are you trying to get close to me to steal my dog? You already have him sleeping in your office at work," she pointed out.

"We're bros," he laughed.

"I'll never do anything to lose your trust again, and I'll spend, however long you allow me to, making up for all the stupid shit I've done," he promised. "Be with me?"

"Okay," she said softly.

"That a yes?" he clarified, his lips tugging into a smile.

"It's a yes," she assured him.

"Until the world ends?" he smirked.

"Sure, something like that," she smiled back.

"There's another first I would not like to skip," he said suggestively.

"If we leave Scarlett's wedding early, we'll never hear the end of it. Never," Grace warned, with wide eyes, feigning a horrified look.

"You're right, she would be insufferable for a very long time," he agreed.

"Besides," Grace said, as they continued their dance. "We've only had two dates. I always wait until at least the third," she winked.

"If you want to get really technical…" Archer started before Grace silenc ed him with a kiss.