Page 14 of Let Me Love You

“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 ’bout 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 nods, 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 provide 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. One of the many benefits of owning a boutique is always hearing the latest small-town gossip from the customers.

I drive the short distance downtown, park, then grab my stuff. As soon as I unlock the doors, I flick on the lights and smile. This store is my happy place, and outside of my home, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

“Good mornin’,” Lexie sing-songs as she prances in thirty minutes later. She’s one of my managers, but we’ve become close friends too.

“Morning!” I reply cheerfully from the front display I’m organizing. “How’s it goin’?”

“Just fine, I suppose. Brett’s mama asked if I could make a pecan pie for Thanksgiving, so I’m stressin’ ’bout that.”

“Why? Just go to the bakery and pick one up,” I suggest with a laugh.

“No way. She’d know I didn’t bake it and gimme one of her signature I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed looks. Then she’d make some offhand comment to Brett ’bout how it’s too bad he didn’t marry a woman who’s skilled in the bedroom and kitchen.”

“She’d say that?”

“Oh, that’d be on the list of nice things she’d say ’bout me.” She huffs, then grabs our daily task list.

“Wow. So glad I don’t have to put up with a villain mother-in-law. But I like to think I’d win her over with my sailor’s mouth and Southern charm.”

“You better pray yours isn’t the devil dressed in a pantsuit.”

At that, I snort. “Not sure I’ll ever be gettin’ married, so I won’t have to worry ’bout that.”

“Why do you say that? Thought you’d already be engaged to your roommate by the way you’ve been talkin’ ’bout him the past few weeks.”

I bark out a laugh because she’s right. Since Gemma mentioned him moving in with me, I’ve randomly brought him up in passing. I wasn’t sure what he looked like, but when we finally met a few days ago, he surpassed every expectation I had.