Page 52 of Let Me Love You

“Same! I’m sure my brother has been boring, quiet, and has kept to himself the entire time there.”

I give her a stern look, and Everleigh laughs.

“Just a little. Still trying to crack that hard shell of his, but I’ll get there.” She wraps her arm around me, and the simple touch drives me crazy.

“Trust me,” she adds, giving me a smoldering look before pinching my side. I wiggle away from her.

“Oh, so you’re ticklish? Very good to know…”

“See what you did.” I glower at my sister as Everleigh chases me around the living room, using her fingers as pinchers.

Annie gets a kick out of it and cheers Everleigh on.

“Whose side are you on anyway?” I ask, trying to catch my breath as I put the couch between us.

“Okay, okay. I’ll call a truce—for now.” Everleigh comes back into view of our video call.

“Any other secrets you’d like to share ’bout Archer?” She waggles her brows.

“Oh, the things I could say.” Annie shakes her head. “But he might disown me if I spilled all the tea.”

“Lose a brother, gain a sister. I think I’m a fair trade,” Everleigh taunts, causing Annie to snort.

I playfully roll my eyes but adore how much Annie likes Everleigh. “But anyway. I will give you two some privacy. I need to jump in the shower and start getting dressed for the day. It really was nice meeting you.”

“So nice meeting you too. I’m gonna have Archer send me the links to your shop.”

“Oh, please do. If there’s anything you like, just let me know, and I’ll give you the family discount. Or you know…” Everleigh looks at me, then back at Annie. “You could always come visit?”

“Maybe one day!” Annie grins, and they wave goodbye.

Everleigh winks, then walks toward her room. Before she opens the door, she turns and looks at me with pure fire in her eyes. Things wouldn’t be like this if we were two different people.

When I hear the water turn on, I plop down on the couch. Sassy jumps next to me and lays her head on my lap.

“I really like her,” Annie offers. “She’s adorable and seems like a lot of fun.”

“Yeah, she is.” I grin, wishing there was a chance in hell for us but knowing that there’s not. “You two would get along great if you lived here. You’d probably be best friends.”

Annie doesn’t respond about moving, though I wonder if she’s happy there. If she’d ever consider starting over in a new place. She’s had a tough life, and I want to help change that and make it easier for her.

I see my niece walking toward her bedroom with toys in her hands, and she stops and hogs the screen. “Hey, Uncle Archer! Look what Santa brought me!”

“Is that an iPad?” I ask.

“Yes!” she squeals. “I put it on my list!”

“Santa splurged this year,” Annie says.

Ready to play with her new toy, Sadie speaks up. “Mom, can I go play now?”

“Sure, sweetie.”

“Yay! Bye, Uncle Archer!”

Now that Sadie’s gone, I know the questions are going to start since little ears are no longer in the room.

“You bought a five-year-old an iPad?” I whisper-laugh.