Page 111 of Let Me Love You

Since I can’t be at the boutique, I do what I can from home. I’m trying to be proactive and stay positive. One good thing that’s come out of this has been having time to plan out my launches for the next six months. Though I still get fatigued quickly, I can be on my laptop for a few hours before I have to take a break.

Most of my day is spent on the couch staring at my computer screen, and I have to force myself to get up and walk around. Being in one place for too long isn’t helpful and makes me sore. Archer brings me my meds when the pain becomes unbearable and takes Sassy out when she goes to the back door.

Once the sun sets, Archer goes to the kitchen.

“Whatcha makin’?” I peek my head up and meet his eyes.

“It’s a surprise,” he tells me. “Need anything right now?”

“I’d love to down a bottle of wine, but you know…” I point at my stomach. Since I’m on pain meds, that means no alcohol.

He chuckles. “Not too much longer.”

“I hope you’re right,” I say, then busy myself on my laptop again.

An hour passes and the house smells amazing. Archer has been working hard on whatever he’s preparing, and I can’t wait to taste it. When I hear him setting the table, I take it as my cue to stand but can’t pop up as easily as I’m used to.

Once I’m in the kitchen, my eyes widen at the view. Two plates are filled with spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread.

“Archer,” I gasp. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

He pulls out my chair and lowers the overhead lights. “I promised to make it for you one day. Today seemed like the perfect time.”

I swallow hard, remembering when he mentioned it all those months ago. We’ve come so damn far since then. “This is so sweet, thank you.”

“Anything for you, baby,” he says, sitting across from me.

As soon as I taste the meatballs and garlic tomato sauce, I moan.

Archer lifts his brow. “That’s music to my ears.”

“This”—I point down at the plate—“is orgasmic.”

He grins. “I’m glad. I was scared it wouldn’t taste the same, but it does. Brings back a lot of good memories.” His gaze meets mine. “And making it for you gives me new ones.”

I smile and bite the corner of my lip. “Makes me feel really special.”

“You are, babe. You are.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

ARCHER

After taking care of Everleigh for a week, she demanded that I go back to work. I didn’t want to leave her side, but she made some valid points that I could no longer argue. She hated feeling like a burden although I told her several times she wasn’t.

Since she’s not driving or leaving the house yet and five security cameras keep watch outside, I agreed to go back for a few hours a day. Then I made her promise she wouldn’t answer the door and to call me if anything happened or if she needed me.

The first morning I go back to work, we eat breakfast together, then I kiss her goodbye.

As soon as I walk to the gym, I go straight to the boxing area. Though I haven’t been gone that long, I already feel rusty.

“Good morning!” Tyler sing-songs as he walks up to the ring.

“Morning,” I say, checking to make sure everything is ready for my first client.

“How’s Everleigh doin’?”

“She’s doing great. The doctor said she was happy to see her healing and to keep resting for now. She’s just going a little stir-crazy.”