Josephine's Secret

25. Hugs

25. Hugs: Josephine's Pov

QOTC- how do y'all feel about a bonus Q&A chapter on My Broken Luna?

Chapter Goal- 300 votes (for Eric's Pov)

*6250 words

I look at Archer and I's conjoined hands, wondering if he's only holding my hand because it's under the table where no one can see it. A lot of times when we're out in public, I consciously keep my hands to myself, not sure if Archer is okay with being seen doing that with me. "That was a good milkshake." I say before he can ask me what I'm thinking about.

"I still can't believe you tied that cherry stem with your tongue." he mutters, looking at the tied cherry stem that I placed on a napkin. I never really found it hard, but Archer seems amazed by the fact that I was able to do it.

After paying for what we ordered, the two of us are now walking hand and hand to the car. "What are you doing, Archer?" I laugh when he suddenly pulls me against him for a hug.

We're standing next to the car and Archer just keeps holding me, seeming to think that I'm a big teddy bear. "I wanted a hug." he states once we're both inside and buckled up. "So I got a hug."

Then about ten minutes later, he randomly speaks up, "I kind of want another one."

"Drive the damn car." I tell him, daring him to take his hands off the steering wheel.

"I still want a hug." he mumbles, glancing at me with a funny look. When I don't reply immediately, he glances at me again and frowns, his shoulders slumping as he does so.

He mutters something else under his breath, but I don't catch it. "What was that?" I ask, catching onto the way he keeps giving me side glances.

"I just wanted a hug." he grumbles, now looking straight ahead at the road. "You don't have to be all mean about it."

"How am I being mean?" I laugh, reaching out to take hold of his hand. And like the gentleman I am, I kiss the back of his hand and say, "I'll give you a hug later."

"It has to be a good hug, though." he says. "A quality hug. Not one of those half-assed ones. I want a loving hug."

"What's that suppose to mean?" I raise an eyebrow at him, starting to feel like he's trying to get at something here. "I thought you didn't like hugs?"

He shakes his head, "I thought that you don't like touching since you always wait for me hug you and stuff."

"I like hugs." I whisper, looking down at our joined hands again. "But like when we're at the house, I don't want to bother you because you always look busy. And then in public, I know some people don't like holding hands and stuff, so I don't touch you because I don't know if you're okay with it. Especially when we're with people we know."

"Darling," he frowns. "We've gone over this before, remember? I don't care if it looks like I'm busy or whatever, I always have time for you. And I will always be okay with being with you in public."

I give him a small nod, feeling a little awkward since I'm not sure how to reply to that. 'See?' my wolf pipes in. 'I told you mate is okay with it.'

The rest of the car ride is spent in a comfortable silence, the only noise being the radio softly playing in the background. I try not to fidget as I hold Archer's hand as not to distract him from driving, but it's kind of hard. "Do I still get to spend time with you once we get home?" he asks as we turn into the neighborhood. "Or do you have something else to take care of?"