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But selfishly, I agree.
“Remember, this was your idea,” I tell him as we walk in.
With a smirk, Archer strips down to his boxers and gets under the covers. Then he pats the bed and waits for me to join him. Rolling onto my side, I let out a breath, then close my eyes. Our backs are facing, but within seconds, he turns and blankets me in his warmth.
I softly breathe out, imagining he’s mine, and almost instantly fall asleep.
Chapter Fifteen
ARCHER
I can’t believe it’s already New Year’s Eve. The first one I’ll celebrate in five years.
The gym’s insanely busy this morning as people start their routine a day early. Since Christmas, people have joined the gym by the handfuls. Tyler has coined it as the Resolution Rush.
After my last client of the day, I go up front and order a smoothie.
Tyler walks up, looking exhausted.
“You okay?” I ask.
“It’s barely three, and I’m ready for bed. I dunno if I’ll make it to midnight this year.”
I chuckle with a shrug. “Dad-life.”
“Exactly. Any big plans tonight?”
I shake my head, grabbing my drink off the counter. “Nope.”
He gives me a weary look. “Everleigh usually always goes out.”
“I’m not sure what she’s doing. We haven’t really talked about it,” I say truthfully.
Things have been somewhat awkward since the night I locked her out of my room and told her my concerns about what Tyler said. Even though nothing has really changed in our sleeping arrangement, there’s an invisible line we know we can’t cross.
“Well, if you get bored, you can always come hang out with us. But be warned, we’ll probably fall asleep on the couch once Scarlett is in bed. Way before the ball drops.”
I chuckle. “Thanks for the offer. Not sure what I’ll be in the mood for. I’m gonna go home and take a nap since it’s still early, then decide.”
“Sounds like a good idea. Go out and have some fun,” he suggests. “Just responsible fun.”
I laugh at his fatherly tone. “See ya later,” I tell him, then grab my stuff.
After I tell everyone goodbye, I walk home. I’m saving up for a car, but it’s not so bad walking since Everleigh lives less than a mile from the downtown district. Plus, it adds more activity points to my week for the Apple watch challenge we’re doing, and I might actually win for once.
Once I walk in the door, I take Sassy out the back, then jump in the shower. My eyes are so heavy that when I lie down on the couch, I end up falling asleep.
It’s not until a few hours later when Everleigh comes in that I wake up.
I hear a clicking noise and see Everleigh has her Polaroid camera in one hand and a photo in the other. I glance down and see Sassy snuggled in beside me. We’re two peas in a pod.
“Sorry, couldn’t help myself. That was a cute moment to capture.”
I sit up, and Sassy repositions herself. We must’ve slept hard because I feel so disoriented.
“Did you just get home?”
“Yeah. We were busy as hell today.”
“It’s been crazy all week.” I run my fingers through my hair, then stand and stretch before making some coffee.
Everleigh takes Sassy out and returns. She watches me and leans against the counter. “What’re your plans tonight? Considering you’re making coffee after six, I’d say you’re stayin’ up?”
Her gaze slides up my body and lingers on my abs before meeting my eyes. I give her a look, letting her know I just caught her eye-fucking me. She does it when she can, and I can’t say I’m not guilty of the same thing.
It’s hard to ignore when the attraction between us runs so damn deep.
“Come out with me tonight,” she blurts out, just as I’m pouring my mug full.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I admit, even if it pains me to do so. The defeat I saw the other night when I locked her out isn’t present. Everleigh shrugs like she’s not bothered by my response.
“Okay, then. Suit yourself. But I was thinkin’ that since all my other friends are home with their kiddos, you and I could go out of town. Maybe have a little fun at one of my favorite places, then crash at a hotel, but if you want to stay here and snuggle with Sassy all night, that’s fine too. I’m sure I can find someone else to accompany me.” Everleigh unlocks her phone that was sitting on the counter. The thought of her going anywhere with another man frustrates the fuck out of me, not including the jealousy that follows closely behind.
“I could text Brian. He’s a baseball player. Or maybe Jesse. He’s a drummer, really good with his sticks too. Oh, I bet Daryl and Zach would be game. They’re twins, by the way, who are really into role-playing. Hmm...which one would show me the best time?” she contemplates, tapping her nails.
