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“Great. Tyler and Everleigh invited me to lunch with their friends, and I ate my weight in turkey and cake.”
“Cake? No pie?”
I chuckle. “Nah, Everleigh was in charge of the dessert and made Better than Cuddling cake.”
Everleigh cough-laughs from somewhere in the kitchen, and it’s obvious she’s listening.
“Is that a Southern recipe?” Annie asks as I try to hold back my amusement.
“You could say that.” I shrug.
We chat for a few more minutes until Sadie returns and says she’s ready to get in the tub. I tell them goodbye and that I love them before hanging up.
“Your niece sounds adorable,” Everleigh says when I open the fridge. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”
“No, it’s fine. Sadie’s loud like her mother, so it's impossible not to hear her.” I take out a bottle of water.
“I bet you miss them being far away.”
“I do, but then again, I’m kinda used to it. I hate that I wasn’t around when Sadie was born and only got to see her during their monthly visits. It’s all she knows of me, and I hope to change that eventually.”
“Should have them come visit. They’re more than welcome to stay here. I can get an air mattress and make room for them in the living room. Could have one big slumber party.” She leans against the counter and smiles genuinely. When she crosses her arms, the movement lifts her breast, and I find myself lowering my gaze, then quickly meeting her eyes.
“I bet they’d love that,” I say. “But I don’t want to put you out even more than I already have.”
“Archer.” Her voice lowers, and it’s obvious she’s being serious. “This is your home now. At least that’s how you should think of it.”
Reluctantly, I nod, shoving my hands in my pockets. “I’m trying. It’s a big adjustment for me.”
Pushing off the counter, she walks closer, causing my heart rate to increase. She’s so damn beautiful, I have to remind myself not to stare like a creep.
“Would it help if I slapped you around a bit?” She playfully punches my arm. “I assumed you and Tyler got into some fistfights being around each other all the time. When he’d bother the hell out of me, I always got the urge.” She laughs, and it makes me laugh too.
“Only when we were boxing or working out,” I admit. “He actually taught me a lot.”
I’m not sure how much of my past Everleigh knows, and although I’m tempted to share some of it with her, I don’t. The last thing I want is for her to regret letting me live here or think the worst of me. Whatever Tyler decided to tell her will have to be enough for now.
“Yeah, he’s pretty good at that. Maybe I’ll join Owen and come kick your ass someday.”
Now that has me howling. “You’re half my size, but I’m up for the challenge.”
“Are you saying I’m too small to defend myself?” She acts like she’s insulted.
“No, but the thought of you trying to take me down makes me wonder if I should be locking my bedroom door at night.”
She backs up a little, glaring at me. “You should. Youreallyshould, Archer Boone.”
Her taunting voice has me fighting back a smile.
CHAPTERSIX
EVERLEIGH
“Ouch,”I groan as I soak in the tub and rub the bottoms of my feet. My body feels like it’s been hit by a dump truck. Black Friday at the boutique was a madhouse, and Saturday was just as busy. We opened early, stayed late, and I don’t think I took a lunch break on either day. The shelves need to be restocked since every holiday item sold out. Thankfully, I have more inventory arriving first thing tomorrow.
My customers were so excited that they lined up along the sidewalk beginning at four in the morning. I overbought with hopes to sell out, and it actually happened.
The only thing I missed was not seeing Archer that much. When I finally got home, we ate dinner, then passed out.
