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I grin because she knew what I was going to say next.
Archer: Okay, good. Can’t be too safe. I wish we lived closer.
Annie: Me too. Maybe someday.
I make my way into the store and grab a basket. Next, I find the potatoes, then head toward the meat.
“Oh my gosh, Archer, hi!” I turn and see Dana standing inches from me.
“Hey, how are ya?” I ask politely.
“Great! How ’bout yourself?”
“Can’t complain,” I say, lowering my eyes to the steaks. “Just grabbing a few things.”
“Ooh, meat and potatoes. Yum.” She places her hand on my arm. “Everleigh’s a lucky woman.”
“Uh, thanks.” I step back, creating space between us until her hand drops. She ignores my unease.
“So what have you been up to? Training lots of people?”
“Yep, staying busy.” I place two ribeyes in my basket.
“It’s a real shame Everleigh took you off the market so fast.” She inches closer. “But I can’t say I blame her.” She smirks, and I’m immediately uncomfortable.
Considering this is a small town, people will speculate if we’re standing too close. It’s enough for me to want to get my ass away from her and out of here.
“Well, I better go if I’m gonna have time to cook. See ya later.” I walk away before she says anything else. Not sure what the hell that was about, but I wasn’t staying to find out.
When I’m only a few minutes from the house, I get a text. My heart races when I see it’s from an unknown number.
I click on it and find a picture of Everleigh with Gemma and Katie. They’re sitting together at the deli, and though there’s no date on it, I remember the outfit. Everleigh was wearing it the day Natasha nearly ran her over. That was a month ago, so why is Krystal just now sending this?
And does that mean Krystal was here, or is someone else watching her? Were Natasha and Krystal somehow working together?
A dozen questions run through my mind as I unlock the front door. Sassy greets me, then follows me to the back, where I let her outside. After I set the bag of groceries on the counter, I stare at my phone.
I realize she sent it with a message.
Unknown: It’d be a shame if all three of them got hurt because of something you did.
My blood boils, and I grind my teeth as my finger hovers over the keyboard. I’m tempted as hell to tell her to fuck off, but I don’t want her to get pleasure from knowing she gets under my skin. Instead, I pocket my phone and try to breathe.
Not only has she threatened Everleigh and me but now she’s bringing our friends into this, and it makes me even more mad. I take a screenshot, email it to my parole officer and the detective, then block the number. If I can show solid proof, then building a case for harassment will be easier if she shows up.
Once I let Sassy back in, I clean up the house a little, then start preparing dinner. I’m so lost in thought that I don’t hear Everleigh come in. It’s not until she wraps her arms around my waist from behind that I notice.
“Jesus, you scared me,” I admit, spinning around to face her.
“You were pretty focused,” she says, pressing her lips to mine. “Smells delicious. And I don’t just mean the food.”
“I was.” I grip her hips and pull her in closer. “How was your day?”
“Great. Pretty busy actually. How about you?”
I release her and finish wrapping the potatoes in foil. When the oven beeps, I place them inside.
“Not bad. Was done by three,” I tell her. “I also ran into Dana at the store.”
