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“Not gonna lie, though, the chase in the beginning is the best part. The random sex in the back of the car, on the counter, in the shower, and⁠—”

“Okay, that’s enough,” I interrupt. “Don’t wanna hear about my brother’s sexcapades.” I pretend to throw up in my mouth and change the topic. “How’s my sweet little niece?”

“Scarlett’s getting big. She crawls everywhere and babbles all day long. I have a feeling that when she can speak full sentences, she’s gonna talk my ear off. Pretty sure she got the same Blackwood gene as you, Ev.”

My head falls back in a roar of laughter. “Even I wouldn’t wish that upon you. But if that’s the case, I’ll say a prayer for you ’cause that girl is gonna be a handful.”

Gemma sighs. “Tyler will literally blow a gasket if she puts him through half the things you did.”

“She could be worse than Everleigh,” Katie says. “She has Blackwood and Reid genes.”

“Oh hell no,” Gemma mutters, shaking her head.

“Better start making her a brother or sister now,” I suggest. “She’ll need someone to keep her straight or be the older sibling to bail the younger one out. No telling what trouble I would’ve gotten into without Tyler hounding me.”

“You mean, how much more trouble you would’ve gotten into?” Gemma mocks.

“True story,” I say.

“It’s times like this that I’m glad I have all boys,” Katie teases, sipping her drink. “I could’ve had a mini Everleigh, and Lord help all of us if that had happened.”

“You still can.” I waggle my brows.

When we’re done eating, Gemma snatches up the check. Katie protests, but I know it’s a losing battle, so I don’t argue.

“Thanks, babe,” I say after she pays. When we stand, I give them both hugs. “Can we do this again soon?”

“Absolutely,” Katie says, then we walk outside.

The clouds are rolling in, and I wave goodbye to Gemma and Katie as they go in the opposite direction. I pull out my phone and call Archer as I head down the sidewalk. My heart’s full, and there’s a wide smile on my face. Hanging out with my friends is exactly what I needed.

“Hey, baby,” he answers.

“Hey! Just finished eating at the deli. How’s your day goin’ so far?”

“Just fine. How was your lunch?” he asks while I cross the street.

I hear tires squealing, and when I look over, my adrenaline rushes and heart pounds.

“Oh my fuckin’ God,” I mutter. “The Escalade—” I barely get out the words as the SUV speeds toward me.

I scream as I try to move from the middle of the road. Everything happens in slow motion before I trip and fall.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ARCHER

I take my lunch break and walk toward the boutique, ready to surprise her with a kiss in the parking lot. I stare up at the sky and hope it doesn’t start raining.

As I’m walking and chatting with Everleigh on the phone, I notice her tone change.

“Oh my fuckin’ God,” she mutters, then continues, “the Escalade…”

At first, I feel as if I’m living in a nightmare when I hear an engine revving and tires squealing in the distance. Everleigh’s screams fill my ear, and then the line goes silent. A crashing metal sound bounces against the buildings, and I burst into a full sprint toward the deli.

No, no, no.

My mind races, and I’m not sure I can handle Everleigh getting hurt again. Every fucking terrible scenario fills my mind, and it’s torture as I run the few blocks toward her. When I see Everleigh lying on the ground, I think the absolute worst has happened.