Freya met with Archer this afternoon for coffee, and as soon as she saw him, she knew that something had changed. Maybe it was the way in which he wouldn’t quite hold her eye, or the way he kissed her cheek without the slightest nervousness, but by the time they had settled into their seats across from one another, her doubts were gone. “So,” she said, raising her eyebrows at him. “What’s going on?”
His cheeks flushed, and he looked apologetic. “Well—I think I’m ceding the field to your other contender,” he said.
Freya smiled, although there was something heavy, like liquid iron, pooling in her stomach. “What’s her name?”
He laughed and rubbed his nose. “Jenny. She and I have been friends forever, but the other day she came up and told me that she’s had this crush on me forever. Completely came out of nowhere.”
“Mmm. She thought I’d carry you off and had to make her move.” Freya tossed her hair exuberantly to show that she was teasing.
Archer looked away, his smile becoming strained. “Freya, I like you a lot,” he said seriously, “but…well, I just really want to give Jenny and me a shot. I think we could be good together.”
Freya dropped the teasing and reached across the table to pat his hand, careful to make the gesture light and friendly. “I completely understand, and I hope it works out for you guys. She’s a lucky girl.”
“Well, I hope so,” Archer said. Her acceptance had relieved him, and he smiled right into her eyes. “I hope I’m not coming across as super flighty right now.”
“Please,” Freya said, waving her hand. “I’m the bitch who didn’t snatch you up when I had the chance.”
I wish she wouldn’t call herself that.
“At least Henry will be happy,” Archer said.
Freya grimaced. “Nah, he turned out to be bad news. So it looks like I’m flying solo again.” The words were light, but her heart was not.
I put one wing around her shoulders, and Archer reached out to squeeze her hand. “Trust me,” he said, “that won’t last.”
It was kind of him, but a bit too close for Freya, who leaned forward to ask him about Jenny. Archer was easily distracted, and it was clear to see that however surprised he had been by Jenny’s confession, he was not at all averse to the idea.
“This would have happened regardless,” I murmured to Freya as she listened. “You are not losing him through any fault of your own. And just think, if you had been with him when this happened, it would have been more painful for both of you. At least this way you can part on good terms.”
This helped her, a little. She saw Archer off cheerfully, promising to keep in touch, although she wasn’t certain she would keep that promise. Then she called Kara and arranged to go out for drinks that night.
So Freya is down from two suitors to none. It is a bit frustrating for her, but not for me. I was not completely satisfied with either of these men, and I know that there is someone better out there for her. She will find her way, and until she has, I will not leave her. I may not be the kind of companionship that she needs, but I am certainly better than nothing. And every day that I spend with her is a joy.