Page 51 of Let Me Love You

Last night, there was no way in hell I was letting her sleep in her room, not when I needed her close—regardless of how hard it was for me. I can’t believe I’ve already been here a month, and I am already fighting against falling for her. She hasn’t exactly made it easy for me, and she’s buried herself deep inside my thoughts.

Once I’m dressed, I find Everleigh in the kitchen. She’s standing at the stove wearing the shirt I got her and some shorts. If you want to call them that since they barely cover her ass. Of course, there are miniature reindeer on them. While she’s occupied, I take my time drinking in every inch of her. Eventually, she turns and notices me, and a grin slides across her lips.

“Good mornin’! I’m makin’ breakfast.” She studies my tattoos.

I stand beside her, seeing Sassy begging at her feet. I look at the ingredients on the counter, plus the food she’s already cooked. “Bacon, eggs, hash browns, and pancakes?”

“Of course, Christmas morning tradition! Also, I’ve got red and green syrup and whipped cream.” She bumps me with her hip, then notices what I’m wearing. “You look good in those.”

“Everleigh, you didn’t have to get me anything else. Seriously, that Apple watch is amazing.” I lift my wrist, showing her that I have it on. She’s so goddamn generous, and I wish I could spoil her too.

“Excuse me? Yes, I did. I love buying things for the people in my life. Also, I made some coffee.” She takes the bacon out of the skillet, then starts whipping up the pancakes.

“You’ve already done more than enough.”

Her face softens. “And I’m gonna keep doing more.”

“I’ll never be able to repay you if you keep giving me things and doing so much for me,” I say. I hate owing her because I grew up doing what I could for my sister and me. Always doing things on your own and not expecting anything in return is a hard habit to break.

“You don’t owe me anything, Archer. I do things because I like to, not because I expect anything in return. It makes me happy to make the people I care ’bout happy.” Everleigh has no idea how much her words make my body ignite or how much I already care about her.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” I fill a mug full of her strong-ass coffee.

“I try.” She smirks.

Once our pancakes have a whipped cream beard like Santa, Everleigh leads me to the living room. Sassy follows in our wake, finds her place on the floor, and stares as we eat.

“This is another one of my annual traditions,” she explains around a mouthful, pointing at the Christmas special on TV. “Next up, we’re opening presents.”

I look at the tree and notice all the boxes stuffed under it.

“I’ve never had a Christmas quite like this,” I say.

“There’ll be many more. Don’t you worry.”

Just as the show we’re watching ends, our plates are cleared, and I put them in the sink. My watch buzzes, and I see it’s my sister video calling, so I quickly grab my phone.

As soon as I answer, Annie smiles at me.

“Merry Christmas, sis,” I tell her.

“You too! Whatcha doing?” Behind her, Sadie’s on the floor surrounded by colorful wrapping paper.

“Just finished breakfast and watching TV. What time did you wake up?” I laugh, seeing the bags under her eyes. She moves the phone closer to her lips and whispers, “Four. In. The. Fucking. Morning.”

I scrunch my nose. “Nooooo, thank you.”

“No kidding. Way too damn early.”

“Oh, there’s someone I want you to meet,” I say before Everleigh can run off.

She pops her head up with wide eyes, but I can tell she’s excited to finally be formally introduced. The last time we talked, Sadie bombarded Everleigh with questions before she walked away.

Everleigh slides in beside me, smiling wide.

“This is my roommate, Everleigh. She owns a shop in town that has the shirts you like.”

“Hi, Merry Christmas! It’s so nice to finally meet you,” Everleigh eagerly says.