Ever since Howard Rhodes brought over a carton of cigarettes, Archie Lockwood had been smoking nonstop.
He didn't know how to describe the complex, unbearable feeling welling up inside him, nor did he know what he could do to force himself to stop overthinking. He was nearly forty years old, yet he was still so unsettled, as impatient as a hot-headed youth.
Outside, the sky had grown completely dark, but his boss was still sitting on the sofa, smoking. Howard frowned and gave Louise Jordan, who was standing nearby, a pointed look.
Louise sighed. Stepping forward, she braced herself and said, "Mr. Lockwood, you have a dinner date with Miss Vance tonight."
At the mention of Miss Vance, Archie looked up, casting a mild glance at Louise. "What time?"
"Oh, I believe you said you would pick her up at eight."
"What time is it now?" If he remembered correctly, the Vance family and the Ross family were neighbors.
