Page 15
“He’s been quiet. We’ve only talked a little, though when I ran into him before work, I’m certain he caught me checking out his ass. Per usual, I made things weird with inappropriate gawking and stupid words.”
She smirks. “Most guys like that ’bout you.”
“No, they like my long hair and lean legs.”
“It’s been less than a week, right? He’ll come around and realize you’re funny as hell.”
“Then he won’t be able to stay away.” I waggle my brows. “I’ll break him out of his shell in no time.”
“Didn’t you say your brother invoked a hands-off policy?”
“That’s ’cause he thinks he’s the boss of me, but he’s not.”
“Careful, Ev. Archer was locked up for five years. He probably needs to figure out a lot of stuff before he can consider a relationship.”
“Geez, you sound like Tyler now. And who said anything ’bout a relationship?”
“Oh, so just fuck buddies? Friends with benefits?”
I chuckle. “Roommates with benefits.”
“Not sure if I should warn Archer or rat you out to Tyler first.”
“Better not. I sign your paychecks.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she grumbles.
“I’m takin’ him to Thanksgiving tomorrow. We’re all goin’ to Gemma and Noah’s father’s house. Belinda’s cooking, so it’ll be a good opportunity for him to hang out and lower his guard.”
With those words, the door chimes, and our first customer of the day enters. Between helping people, decorating, and getting all the Black Friday signs hung, the day stays busy.
When I leave, it’s almost dark. As I pull onto the main road toward the grocery store, I see the same black Escalade parked outside the boutique. It’s probably someone’s family visiting for the holidays and spending the evening shopping downtown.
Belinda is preparing a feast for us tomorrow, and I've offered to bring my infamous dessert. I only bake it a few times a year and look forward to it each time. On a whim, I stop and pick up a couple of steaks. After chatting with Archer this morning, I realized he probably hasn’t eaten a decent meal in years. While I’m no Chef Ramsay, I can make meat and potatoes.
Sassy barks the second I walk into the house. My arms are filled with grocery bags, so I can’t pet her.
“Chill, girl. Let me set these down before you bite my ankles off.”
As soon as I kick the front door shut, Archer’s in front of me, grabbing the bags from my grip.
“Let me help.”
“Oh. Thanks. In the kitchen’s fine,” I say, tossing off my heels.
“I know where it all goes,” he tells me.
I mentally slap myself for insinuating he wouldn’t.
“Hope you’re hungry,” I say as I unpack everything.
“Sure, I could eat.” He flashes a boyish grin. “Can I help?”
Before I can answer, Sassy’s at my side, begging for attention. I set the steaks on the counter, then pet her.
“Were you a good girl today?”
“Only nipped at me three times,” Archer responds. “Better than the five yesterday.”
