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“You need a break, Ev. You’ve been working nonstop since the grand reopening. You’re stressed, and that adds to it.”

“I wish that would actually fix my issues, but I doubt it.” I meet her eyes. “But maybe I’ll leave early tonight since I’m off this weekend.”

“Yeah, you should. Go have lots of hot kinky sex with your man. Then come back Monday and tell me all about it.” She grins.

“Remind me to talk to you about boundaries during your next employee review.”

“Oh shush. You love giving me all the juicy details.” She waggles her brows.

After I restock some jewelry, I grab my bag and phone, then tell Lexie goodbye. I take out my self-defense keychain and walk to my car, then check my back seat before getting in. I hate that I’m so tense and on high alert, but I can’t help it. Maybe Lexie is right. I just need a little R&R.

August weather is still hot in Alabama, but there’s a nice breeze today, so I roll my window down and soak in the sun. I’m determined to relax while I’m off this weekend. After everything that’s happened this summer, perhaps I need to talk to my doctor about my newfound anxiety. If Krystal would leave us alone or get caught already, I’d feel a thousand times better.

When I get home, all the lights are off, and Sassy’s nowhere in sight.

“Sassy!” I call out, searching my bedroom and kitchen.

What the hell?

“Sassy girl, where’re you?” I go to Archer’s room and find it empty.

Oh my God, she’s gone. Did someone steal her? Did I forget to bring her back in this morning? Did Archer come home early and take her for a walk?

Just as I reach for my phone, hands cover my eyes from behind, and my instincts take over. When I hear a man clear his throat, I jab my elbow into his stomach. He yelps, then I turn and hold up my pepper spray.

“Everleigh, it’s just me!” Archer nearly shouts when he spots the spray.

I lower my aim as I try to catch my breath. “Jesus. You scared the shit outta me.”

“Baby, I’m sorry. I thought you heard me.”

I shake my head. “No, I was freaking out that I couldn’t find Sassy. Where is she?”

Archer closes the space between us and holds me in place. “She’s at your grandparents’. I wanted to surprise you, but you came home early. I’m still packing.”

“For what?”

“A romantic weekend getaway.” He smiles genuinely, rubbing his finger along my jaw. “I figured we could use some time away, just you and me.”

My brows shoot up. “Really? You planned somethin’?”

“Yep, I sure did. I wanted to celebrate six months together.”

“It’s been that long already? Wow. I can’t believe it.” If the first time we slept together was when we started dating, which was after his birthday party in February, then he’s right.

He leans in, bringing his lips to mine. “Best six months of my life, sweetheart. Even if you just tried to pepper spray me.”

I chuckle against his mouth. “I was ready to tase your ass next.”

After Archer finishes packing, he drives so I can still be surprised. The car ride is peaceful as the late evening sunshine splashes through the windows onto my skin. I try to soak in the last few weeks of summer before fall arrives.

“Where’re we goin’?”

“Well…it’s not too much farther.”

I furrow my brows, wondering what the heck he has up his sleeve.

“I wanted us to be alone.” He shrugs with a devious grin. “But don’t worry, the views will be worth it.”