Page 10 of Let Me Love You

“You’re gonna 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 nothing. “What time do you have to be at work?”

“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 ’bout 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. “No, thanks. I had a cup already.”

“Wanna take her outside?” Everleigh asks. “She’s already gone once, but she’d probably go again.”

“Sure. But quickly ’cause we gotta get going too,” 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.

“You ready?” I ask, putting much-needed space between us.

“Yep,” he says, giving Sassy one last pet before telling Everleigh goodbye.

“See y’all later. Try not to bore Archer to death.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tyler responds.

We walk to his car and get in. There’s a car seat in the back, and I still can’t believe he has a baby. We used to talk a lot about what our futures would look like, and I’m happy he got what he wished for.

“First up is the DMV since it’s a thirty-minute drive. The doors open at seven, but it’s best to get there before the rush. Afterward, we’ll hit the post office and bank. Then I’ll give you a tour of the gym,” he says, pulling out of the driveway.

“Sounds like a solid plan,” I say. These tasks are daunting for most people, but it means ultimate freedom to me.

It takes a few hours for us to get everything done, and I have almost forgotten how impatient people can be while waiting. Couldn't imagine any of them being behind bars for five years.

After I get a license with my new address and open a checking account, relief washes over me.

After the bank, Tyler puts the car into drive, and we head to the gym. “Oh, tomorrow I have to meet my parole officer at eight.”