Page 113 of Let Me Love You

My next three clients are happy to see me, which makes me glad to be here. The day passes by in a blink, which I’m grateful for. After cleaning the boxing ring and putting everything back in order, I find Tyler and let him know I’m leaving.

“Have a good one.”

“You too, man. See ya tomorrow.”

I check my surroundings before getting into the car, then send Everleigh a text.

Archer

Want me to pick up something for dinner?

Everleigh

Oooh yesss. I’d like the baked potato soup and triple grilled cheese from the deli. Please!

Archer

You got it, sweetheart. Going there now. Be home soon.

As soon as I walk in, Belinda greets me with a tight hug. She pulls away, keeping her grasp on my shoulders, and looks into my eyes. “How’re you doin’, sweetie?”

She knows that Everleigh could’ve died in my arms. In fact, I’m pretty sure the whole town knows at this point.

I suck in a deep breath. “I’m doing alright.”

“And Everleigh?”

“She’s making awesome progress. Pretty soon, she’ll be back to her old self.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So I guess you came to get some dinner?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She hands me a menu, but I don’t take it.

“Everleigh already gave me her order, and I’m gonna have the same,” I say.

“Let me guess…baked potato soup with a fancy grilled cheese.”

My mouth falls open. “You’re good. So, you wanna tell me what the lottery numbers are for tonight?”

She snorts and shakes her head. “Now, if I could guess that, I might not be standin’ here. It’ll be right up.”

Belinda goes to the back as I wait. When she returns, I hand over my debit card, and she shakes her head. “No, honey. It’s my treat.”

“Miss Belinda, no…”

“You gotta learn how to accept gifts, son. Now go home and eat before it gets cold.”

I laugh and thank her several times before she shoos me away. On the way home, I think about how different my life has been since I moved here. Everyone’s always so friendly, and I don’t always know how to respond to their generosity.

When I walk inside, Sassy greets me and sniffs the bag of food.

Everleigh pops up with her hair piled on top of her head. “I think I’m glued to the couch.”

She reaches for me, and I help her sit up.

“How’re you feeling?” I ask, pulling the to-go boxes out, then realize there’s more than what we ordered.