He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Unfortunately, the universe saw my dans and laughed at it.

“Daisy.”

I stopped walking as I recognized the voice.

Oh no.

I turned.

Archer was jogging toward me across the edge of the field area, athletic gear hanging loose against his frame, curls slightly messy from training.

Of course he joined the football team.

Apparently broad shoulders automatically qualified people for sports greatness in this country.

He slowed once he reached me.

And then smiled slightly.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” I greeted back and there was a pause before…

“I wanted to ask. Have you been ignoring me?” He asked and I grew a bit tense not expecting that question.

“No,” I said immediately. “I’ve just been busy lately. And I’m sorry if it came off that way.”

I attempted a polite escape maneuver afterward.

Keyword “attempted.”

Because Archer stepped slightly into my path again. Not aggressively.

Just enough to completely stop me.

Which immediately made panic tap me on the shoulder because people were around this field area and were watching.

And I did not need another socially catastrophic situation attached to my name.

“Did I do something?” he asked.

The question caught me off guard enough that I looked at him properly.

“What?”

“Was it because I came to your apartment the other day?” he asked carefully. “I feel like things changed after that.”

Now I felt terrible.

Because he looked genuine.

Like he had actually spent time trying to figure out whese he went wrong.

“You didn’t do anything,” I said quickly.

And I meant it.

“I’m the one who handled things badly. I should’ve checked in more. That’s my fault.”

Archer studied my face for a second before nodding slowly.

“Okay.”

Just that.

No dramatics.

No pressure.

The atmosphere softened almost immediately afterward as eelief loosened slightly inside my chest.

Then Archer smiled again.

“So when are you finally showing me around campus?”

I blinked.

“What?”

“You said you would,” he reminded me lightly. “Meanwhile, I joined the championship partly because I figured participating might help me settle in faster.”

“You joined football because of social integration?”

“And because tackling people legally is generally thrilling.”

“That is concerning.”

He smiled. “Thank you.”

I almost laughed.

Almost.

Then Archer’s expression shifted.

Small at first. But noticeable.

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