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I narrow my eyes as the elephant in the room appears. Instead of blowing it off or making a joke at my own expense, like I usually would, I say something. I need to hear him say what I already know. “Then why?”
“Everleigh.” His voice drops, and I hate how my body reacts to him. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea that we sleep in the same bed anymore.”
“Oh. Alright.” I nod as my heart thumps erratically. I’m feeling more deflated as reality wears in, and I wish I had that bottle of wine instead of the tea he offered. I won’t pursue someone who doesn’t want me back, but I can at least drink away my sorrows.
As if he can read my mind, he continues, “It’s not like that. It’s just Tyler said some things today that make sense regarding you and me.” He meets my eyes, and I know exactly what he’s referring to—us being together.
A furious laugh escapes me. “Oh really? Like Tyler is the relationship expert here. Gimme a break. I hate to break it to you, but he’s not, regardless of how much he thinks us being involved is a bad idea.”
“He just wants the best for us both. I genuinely believe that,” he admits, and I sigh harshly.
“I’m an adult who can make her own decisions. I’m sick of him interfering with my life. If it were up to Tyler, I’d never date anyone and would die a virgin. It’s exhausting to constantly remind him I’m not a child.”
“What if we are a mistake for each other?” he asks.
“Then it’d be a mistake I’d love to have. What’s that saying about loving and losing, then not experiencing it at all? Well, that,” I say, confidently, then hear a car door outside and jump. Then the tea kettle howls, and I nearly scream. I’m still shaken up from what happened, and now I have to deal with his rejection.
Archer looks over at me, then pours some hot water in a mug with some Earl Grey. He even puts a spoonful of honey in it too, just the way I like it.
Carefully, he places it in front of me, then sits down. “What’s going on with you? You seem really jumpy and paranoid.”
I don’t know how to bring it up, but I find my courage and let it all out. “I’m worried about the black SUV I keep seeing around town. Whoever was in my backyard, I have a feeling had something to do with the Escalade. On top of that, two detectives stopped me yesterday to ask me questions about—”
“Detectives?” He raises a brow. “You didn’t tell me that.”
I steep my drink. “Yes. Apparently, I’m a person of interest in Eric’s murder. They wanted to know where I was the night he was killed.”
He places his hand on mine for a moment before pulling away. “That’s crazy. You’re innocent, so you have nothing to worry about. They’re just doing their job and following all possible leads. Also, I truly believe that Escalade is actually following me.”
My eyes go wide. “What? Why?”
He releases a breath, then closes his eyes tight before opening them. “I think it’s Chad’s family. They weren’t happy I was being released. Well, more specifically, his sister. There was a whole social media tirade. Anyway, I think she hired someone, or she herself is following me,” he admits.
“For what?”
He shrugs, just as frustrated as I am with this. “Not sure. To scare me, to hurt me, to fuck with me. Who knows.”
Silence passes, but I’m not convinced he’s the one being followed after those detectives approached me.
“I don’t want to put you in any kind of danger, Everleigh. It’s why I locked my door. That’s why I don’t know if I should stay in Lawton Ridge.”
My heart drops as a knot forms in my stomach. “That SUV could be following me. Neither of us knows for sure. At this point, I think it’s safer to stay close, at least until we figure out who’s the target.”
Archer meets my eyes with a slight nod. “You’re right. I don’t want to leave if you’re being followed. I’m torn because I refuse to put you in harm's way. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you because of me, Everleigh.”
“I feel the same. That’s why we need each other.”
He flashes a small smile, and I yawn. As soon as I finish my tea, Archer rinses my mug. He meets my eyes, then holds out his hand.
Without hesitation I take it as he leads me to his room. I stop before entering.
Archer turns and looks at me, the corner of his lips tilting up in a cocky grin. “Will you sleep with me tonight?”
I’m still so shaken up that I know I’d feel safer being next to him, even if we’re fighting an internal battle of how close we should be.
