I look over my shoulder at him as I pull the ingredients from the fridge. “Awesome. It’s actually my specialty. Has had men beggin’ for another night.”
He ignores the last comment. “So you like to cook?”
This question makes me snort. “Not really. I can make a few key things, but usually, it’s a frozen meal or a sandwich. Easy stuff.”
“That actually doesn’t sound so bad.”
I meet his eyes and see the same broken expression I saw on Tyler’s face when he was released. Archer’s mysterious and polite, and I’m drawn to him in a way I’ve never really experienced before. I have this urge to protect him at all costs, though he probably doesn’t need it.
“Do you like to cook?” I pull out the bread and throw two slices in the toaster.
He chuckles, and I love the way it sounds. “I’m probably rusty now, but I enjoyed it at one point in my life. My mom loved to cook, and it’s how we bonded when I was a kid. But those times were few and far between before I moved out.”
“My mother was useless, so consider yourself lucky you got that much,” I blurt out, though I’m positive Tyler told him all about our childhood. “What was your favorite thing to cook?”
“Meatballs with a homemade marinara sauce,” he responds quickly.
“Ooh, that sounds delicious. I love Italian food, especially with wine. Maybe you can make it for me one day?” I can feel Archer’s eyes on me as I peel, then mash the avocado onto the toast.
“Sure, I’ll have to see if I can remember the recipe for the meatballs.”
“If not, I can always help you find a new one,” I offer, then crack the eggs into the hot, buttery skillet. Honestly, I think these are the most perfect sunny-side ups that I've ever made, and when I slide what I prepared in front of him, I can tell he’s impressed. The black cracked pepper just adds a special touch.
“Damn. These make me feel like royalty.” His eyes widen as he grins. “Thank you.”
It makes me smile as I sit in front of him at the breakfast bar. We eat in silence for a while, and it feels nice and normal. I want to learn every single detail about him and his past, but it’s important I give him space right now. The last thing I want to do is bombard him with a million questions. So instead, I say nothing at all. I’ll wait until he’s ready to talk about it.
When Archer finishes eating, I fill my mug to the top as he rinses our plates.
“Thanks again for allowing me to stay here. I’ll try to stay out of the way, so you won’t even know I’m around.”
“Don’t be silly. Roam around naked if you want,” I tease. “Plus, if my brother trusts you to live with me, then I do too, Archer. He said you were like family, and that’s enough for me.”
“Means a lot,” he says, then goes to his room. A part of me wants to follow him to make sure he settles in okay, but I don’t want to come across too pushy.
Tyler may have warned me to stay away, but I didn’t realize how hard it’d be when Archer Boone is so damn sexy and mysterious.
Chapter Three
ARCHER
The following morning doesn’t come as early as I expect it to, considering I struggled to fall asleep. It’s hard to comprehend that I’m free to do whatever I want, but it’s even harder to break out of a schedule that I’ve had—meals and falling asleep at specific times—for the past five years. Though the accommodations were awful, it always takes me a bit to get used to a new place.
After I shower, I dress in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I didn’t bring much with me, but I’ll eventually buy more clothes once I make some money.
I walk into the kitchen where Everleigh’s making food. She looks gorgeous with her blond hair pulled halfway up to reveal the softness of her neck. It’s hard for me not to focus on her ruby red lips when she smiles and shows off her perfectly straight teeth. My roommate that I'm looking at is not the hot mess I was introduced to yesterday.
“Mornin’,” she says, taking a sip of coffee. “Made you some toast with grape jelly.”
“That’s sweet of you. Thank you.”
She pops an eyebrow, noticing the way I’m studying her. “What? You have a look on your face. Spill it.”
“Are you always so…” I try to search for the correct word. “Observant?” The last thing I want to do is tell her how absolutely fucking gorgeous she is, considering we just met.
“Yes.” She snorts. “I’m good at reading people. So what is it? Did you sleep okay?”
“Yes, just fine. And nothing really. I’m just not used to someone taking care of me. I was always the one who took care of everyone.”
“Well, get used to it,” she says as she hands me a cup of coffee, then joins me at the breakfast bar.
“You’re going to spoil me if you keep this up,” I tell her, though I truly do appreciate how much she’s trying to make me feel at home.
A laugh escapes her. “Good. Means you’ll live with me longer.”
I find it easy to chat with her about absolutely nothing. “What time do you have to be at work?” I ask.
“Oh, I’m going in at seven, but the boutique doesn’t open until nine. I have some new items I need to put out, and I’m trying to get ahead with decorating the shop. I’m sure Tyler’s already warned you about my Christmas obsession.”
I nod. “He showed me what the front of your boutique looks like now too. Very festive.”
“Right! It looks like it was decorated by the fall queen, doesn’t it?” She beams with pride, which makes me smile.
“Yes. Something like that.”
“Well, just wait until Santa Claus comes to town.” She waggles her brows. “Faux snow, reindeer, and presents. I can’t wait to display it all.”
“I’m sure your customers love it,” I say, and she agrees with a nod.
As soon as I finish my breakfast and look at the time, I hear a car door shut outside. I’m not sure Tyler has a late bone in his body. A few knocks ring out, and Everleigh answers it, allowing him inside.
“You clean up nice,” he tells her.
“Of course I do,” she throws back.
“Mornin’,” I say, chugging the rest of my coffee because it’s too good to pour out.
“Good mornin’. Ya ready?” He looks around the spotless house but doesn’t say anything.
“Want some coffee?” Everleigh offers just as Sassy runs toward him.
“My sweet girl,” Tyler says, bending down to pet her.
“Wanna take her outside?” Everleigh asks. “She’s already gone once, but she’d probably go again.”
“Sure. But quickly ’cause we gotta get goin’,” he says, then leads Sassy to the back door to go outside.
Everleigh’s standing so close to me that I can smell the faint hint of her floral perfume. When her arm brushes against mine, electricity streams between us, and it nearly knocks me down. I’m convinced she feels it too.
Her eyebrow perks up, but thankfully, Tyler returns. He looks at us standing close to each other and narrows his eyes at Everleigh.