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Finally, she slides under the sheets, and I exhale. Her soft lavender-scented skin presses against mine as I hold her in my arms. Her closeness is calming, and I don’t know how I’d adjust if she decided to start sleeping in her room again.
“Feel better?” I mutter.
The moon peeks through the blinds, giving me just enough light to see her gorgeous features. “Yeah, a lot.”
I garner up the courage to ask her something that’s been on my mind all day.
“I have a question for you…” I linger, swallowing hard.
She studies my face and patiently waits, but I know she’s ready to explode inside. That’s just how Everleigh is.
“I’d like to go visit Annie and Sadie.”
She makes a face, and I find her reaction adorable. “You don’t need my permission to see your sister and niece.”
I chuckle softly. “Oh, I know that. But I wanted to see if you’d like to join me?”
“Wait, seriously?”
“Well, yeah. She mentioned coming here, but I wasn’t sure it was a good idea with everything going on. Plus, it’s hard for her to travel with her job and Sadie. Then I thought about leaving you here alone and don’t like the idea of that either.”
“So, I’m tagging along like a piece of luggage.”
I roll my eyes because she likes to mess with me every chance she gets. “Yeah, one big pain in the ass luggage.”
She chuckles. “When would you wanna go?”
“Depends on your schedule. Tyler already told me I could have off whenever.”
I watch as she licks her lips and gazes into my eyes.
“What about next weekend? Lexie would cover for me. Dana and Heidi are already scheduled, but they love the extra hours.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Absolutely!” Her tone rises with excitement.
“Next weekend is perfect. I already know my sister is going to adore you so much. She’s been asking about you ever since we FaceTimed on Christmas.”
“I’m going to get her to tell me all your secrets.” She waggles her brows.
“Never mind, you’ve officially been uninvited.”
Everleigh gives me a look. “Nice try. You’re stuck with me.”
My smile widens because damn if I don’t love the sound of that. “But seriously, thank you. I’m happy you’re coming.”
I hear Sassy trotting up and down the hallway, pulling my attention away.
“She probably needs to go out again,” Everleigh says, moving the covers down to get up.
“I’ll take care of it,” I offer, standing.
“Alright, hurry back.” She pats the bed.
Sassy’s tail wags as soon as she sees me and rushes to the back door. She runs into the yard, some of her energy already returning, which is a relief to see.
As I watch her sniff around to find her perfect spot, I smile.
I can’t believe Everleigh agreed to come with me to Wyoming. For the past few weeks, I’ve tried to keep my distance, stay guarded, and not cross any boundaries, but it’s becoming impossible.
Taking her with me is nerve-wracking, considering how much I want Annie’s approval. I’m not concerned about them not clicking. I’m worried that Annie will like Everleigh too much and will give me nonstop grief about not being with her.
When Sassy is finally done, she trots past me back inside. I lock the door and follow her into my room, where Everleigh is waiting.
“I’m glad you’re back. Now come snuggle.” She lifts the blankets, and I slide right into place.
“Night,” I whisper in her ear, and she hums a response.
Leaving Everleigh here alone isn’t an option.
I need her just as much as she needs me.
Chapter Eighteen
EVERLEIGH
“I’m so nervous to meet your sister and niece! I hope they like me,” I say as we walk into the airport.
“Are you kidding? They’re gonna love you. Probably trade me in for you.” Archer shoots me a wink. “But seriously, I think Annie and you were separated at birth.”
“If that’s the case, you and I should stop sharing the same bed.” I giggle, but then notice the way his face hardens. “That was a joke, Archer. Relax.” I nudge him so he loosens up.
Once we’ve boarded the plane, I pull out my travel pillow and rest it on his shoulder. “Hope you don’t mind me sleeping on your arm.”
“No different than any other night.” He flashes me a smirk. The weirdness from earlier vaporizes, but the tension still lingers.
Archer rests his head on top of mine after I put in ear plugs and get settled. The way he kissed me on New Year’s Eve lives in my head rent-free, but that’s as far as we can ever let this go. Even if it’s all I think about.
I feel a tapping on my leg and hear Archer say we’re about to land. Blinking a few times, I look around in disbelief that I slept for three hours. When I lift the window shade, I’m greeted by snowy mountain tops and water. “Wow, how beautiful.”
