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“You mean, how muchmoretrouble 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 even try to 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 is 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 fucking 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 seems to happen in slow motion before I trip and fall.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
ARCHER
I takemy 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 fucking 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 completely 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.
My body goes into autopilot. I can’t think about anything other than getting to her and making sure she’s okay. I pick up my pace, running faster than I’ve ever run before.
People rush out of the deli as smoke escapes the hood of the SUV.
“Did anyone call 911?” I shout over the chatter of the witnesses to the accident. After pushing through the horde of people on the street and sidewalk, I bend down to help her up and feel a bit of relief when I realize she’s conscious.
“Baby.” I steady her and force her to look into my eyes. “Are you okay?”
She breathes out and nods. Bending over, she picks up her purse and phone from the pavement. “It happened so fast. I saw it come toward me, so I ran. Then I tripped and fell, but I managed to get back to my feet before it could hit me. Holy shit. It’s—”
She slurs some of her words as shock takes over.
“Are you hurt?” I examine her body, looking for blood.
“No, no, I’m fine. I think,” she says, looking down at the road rash on her palms. It pisses me off that she’s going to have to suffer from this now too.
