“Oh yeah, Tyler told me about you. Nice to meet you too.”
“Hopefully all good things.” She winks and grabs two menus.
“It was!” Tyler confirms as she leads us over to a booth by the window.
“Today’s special is cowboy chili. Since the temperatures are startin’ to drop, it’s the perfect dish for fall,” she says. “Coffee?”
Tyler nods.
“Same for me.”
“Got it.” Belinda walks away with a hop in her step.
“She’s pretty awesome. You’ll probably see a lot of her since she’s dating Gemma’s dad,” he tells me, just before she returns with two steaming mugs.
“You’re comin’ to Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, right?” Belinda asks and notices my reaction, then turns to Tyler. “You haven’t invited him yet?”
He chuckles. “I was gettin’ to it. Gemma reminded me before I left this morning too.”
I speak up. “I’d like that. Thanks.”
Belinda instantly smiles again. “Good. You’re too cute to be sittin’ at home alone. Plus, I love to cook. Speakin’ of, do ya what you’re havin’ today?”
“I think I’m going with the special. Add onions and cheese, please,” Tyler says.
“Same,” I tell her.
“Great choice! It’ll be right up.” She turns and walks away.
“Sorry I didn’t mention Thanksgiving dinner earlier. It’s gonna be great, though. Belinda’s an excellent cook and loves to feed us. I’ve had to run several extra miles a week because of her.”
“She’s got spunk. I like her already.” I pick up my coffee and blow on it.
“Oh, just wait until you meet Gemma’s dad,” he says. “Jerry’s her perfect match.”
“I’m sure he is.”
“So, are you excited to start trainin’?”
“Hell yeah! I can’t wait. Seriously.”
“Having you at the gym is gonna make things so much better. I have a feelin’ our memberships are gonna spike.” Tyler flashes me a smirk.
I chuckle at what he’s implying. “Thanks, Tyler. I hope it does,” I say.
Chapter Four
EVERLEIGH
Since it’s the day before Thanksgiving, I know it’s going to be a busy one. The boutique is having a huge Black Friday sale this weekend, and I’ll be getting ready for it. Christmas is my favorite holiday, so I’ll be going all out with decorations per my tradition. I even wore my Hallmark Christmas Movies and Hot Cocoa Weather sweater. Although Christmas was hardly celebrated when I was a child—mostly because my alcoholic mother couldn’t save enough money for gifts or food to save her ass—I’ve made up for it as an adult by going to the extreme. By the end of the night, Ever After will be glowing in white lights with red and gold garland.
I take Sassy out the back door and inhale the fresh crisp air. It’s around sixty degrees, and I’m living for it. Though I’m a Southern girl through and through, I love it when it’s cool enough to snuggle up with a blanket and some hot cocoa. Sassy, on the other hand, doesn’t appreciate it. She quickly pees, then scurries back inside.
“You’re such a diva.” I laugh as she sprints to the couch.
Checking to make sure I unplugged my curling iron and turned off all the lights, I go through my mental tasks list for the day. I’m so deep in my head, I don’t see Archer come out of his room until I nearly run into his solid chest.
“Shit, sorry.” I stumble back before I knock him over. “I’m still waking up, apparently.”
“Don’t worry about it. My eyelids are barely open.” He yawns, and when my gaze lowers down his body, I find his happy trail pointing at his morning wood. Archer’s boxers hang low on his waist, and it’s not hard to notice how fit he is. His chest and arms are covered in tattoos, and he has a nipple piercing.
“You’re allowed to have that in prison?” I ask, staring awkwardly at the silver hoop I want to lick.
He blinks, then meets my stare with a slanted grin. “No. Not really.”
“Oh. I like it. Suits your whole bad-boy vibe.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
Fuck, I’m making him uncomfortable. It’s barely been forty-eight hours since we met, and I’m already gawking like he’s a piece of fresh meat.
“Well, I’m off to work. If you’re able, will you take Sassy out around lunch? I normally come home and do it on my break, but—”
“Yeah, not a problem. I think she’s getting used to me.”
We both turn toward a growling Sassy, and I snort. “Feed her treats, and she’ll be your best friend in no time.”
He scrubs his fingers through his short, dark hair. “Noted. Maybe I’ll spend a few hours trying to befriend a dog.”
I shrug with a grin. “Not a bad way to spend a day if you ask me. There’s plenty of food in the fridge and pantry, so help yourself.”
“As soon as I get my first paycheck, I promise to pitch in for groceries and bills.” His expression drops, and humiliation spreads over his face.
Instinctively, I reach out and grab his arm. “Please don’t worry about that. You’re my brother’s best friend. I’m happy to help.”
He tilts his head to where my hand is wrapped around his bicep, and I quickly remove it. God, I’m making him feel right at home with my awkward touchiness.
“You have no idea how much I appreciate it, Everleigh. But I will help as soon as I’m able.”
The way my name rolls off his tongue sends shivers down my already heated body. I grin, hoping to ease his concerns. “I’ll tell Tyler to pay you extra so you can buy us a steak dinner. He owes me one anyway.” I flash him a smirk, and the corner of his lips tilts up just the slightest.
“Sounds good. Can’t remember the last time I had a decent slab of meat.”
“Ironically, me either,” I joke and smile wider when his cheeks redden. Considering he saw a naked man on my couch two nights ago, he’s probably putting the pieces together that he was a bad lay.
“Sorry to hear that.” He avoids my gaze like he’s trying to hold back laughter.
I’m aware that I can be a bit much for some people. Blunt, outgoing, feisty when I need to be—but I think he’s more amused by me than anything.
“Alright, well I better go if I’m gonna make coffee before I leave.”
He gives me a nod, then turns toward the bathroom. My eyes lower to his ass. Or rather his dump truck of a booty. His chest and stomach are lean, but his back muscles, arms, and everything lower are a very pleasant view. I wouldn’t mind nibbling on every inch of him.
With that thought, Archer looks over his shoulder and catches me staring. I quickly snap my eyes to his with an innocent expression. Without saying a word, I turn on my heels and go to the kitchen to fill my tumbler.
Just as I’m throwing my oversized purse in my car, I notice a sleek black Escalade parked outside my house. My neighbors drive minivans or big-ass Ford trucks—so it stands out like a sore thumb. But if I had to guess, Carley, the single mom across the street, must’ve let her Tinder date stay overnight. Not that she’s said as much, but it’s one of the rumors floating around. There are many benefits to owning a boutique, and one of them is always hearing the latest small-town gossip from the customers.