After a couple of hours of listening to Everleigh’s Christmas playlist, Tyler and Gemma call it a night. We walk them outside and say our goodbyes. Everleigh hugs them both and kisses Scarlett, who’s fast asleep.
“Now y’all go to bed at a decent time,” Gemma says in a motherly tone.
“Yes, Mom.” Everleigh snorts, then waves as they back out of the driveway.
I follow her inside and realize how messy the place is. “I’ll help you clean up.”
“Oh, thanks.” She smiles, and I’m happy she’s finally letting me do my part. We put away all the cookie ingredients, and each time I see the little gingerbread, I think about the little dicks she added and chuckle.
It’s her sense of humor I adore the most. Not everyone is as free-spirited as Everleigh, and I love how confident and genuinely happy she is. I wish I could feel the same and hope some of that rubs off me.
As we clean up the kitchen, we continuously bump into each other. One time, we crash so hard that I steady her to keep her from falling. I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or exhaustion, but I’m not complaining about the opportunity to be close to her.
She looks up at me with big blue eyes. The connection simmering between us is almost too much for me to handle. I fight the urge to pull her closer and slide my lips across hers. Resisting her is getting harder by the day.
I’m not actually sure I could handle a woman like Everleigh.
It’s been five years, and though I fantasize about what it’d be like to touch her, I’d never disrespect Tyler. Everleigh deserves better than some ex-convict anyway. Someone who can give her more, and right now, that man isn’t me.
Chapter Eight
EVERLEIGH
Though I enjoy being at the boutique any day of the week, I really love the vibe we have on Saturday mornings. The farmers' market is every weekend from eight to noon, and people shop the downtown stores regardless of the weather. There’s music, food, and lots of energy flowing around. It’s especially fun when the holidays are near.
“Hey, Ev. Phone call for ya,” Heidi says as Dana sorts through shirts. “Be right there,” I tell her. A group of ladies walk in, and I greet them, then ask Dana to help since Heidi’s running the register.
I pick up the phone and am greeted by an energetic voice. “Hello! I was wondering about that male model you posted online.”
My brows furrow as I wait for her to elaborate. “Yes, what about him?”
“Is he single? There were lots of comments on his pictures, but I never saw a clear answer.”
Annoyance races through me, but I try to remain professional. “Sorry, but I’m not running a matchmaking service. If you have any questions about the clothes or items for sale in my store, then I’d be happy to help.”
“I was just askin’.” She huffs, and I grind my teeth.
“Alright, do you need any help with anything else?” I’m being overly nice at this point.
“No, but—”
“Hope you have a lovely day,” I force out, then hang up.
“Do I even wanna know what that was about?” Heidi asks with humor in her voice.
“Someone asking about Archer’s relationship status again. Completely out of line,” I say.
“Honestly, what’d you expect by putting him on your pages? A new man in town…a young, single man at that. I’m shocked they haven’t flocked to the shop waving their bare ring fingers.”
“At least ten women have stopped me since last weekend to ask the same thing,” Dana states as she makes her way to the counter. “And half of them were married!”
That has me laughing because it doesn’t surprise me. “They were probably trying to set their granddaughters up with him,” I say.
“Mindy Biltmore bought three hundred dollars' worth of men’s clothes yesterday, and I damn well know she’s not dating anyone. She claimed it was for her brother, but I have a feeling she was just trying to get information out of me. She just kept talking about Archer, and outside of having his name, I don’t know shit about him,” Dana adds.
There’s no way I’m telling anyone about Archer’s past, and it’s no one's business anyway. I want him to trust me and feel comfortable sharing his past or secrets without worrying that it will spread around town. My employees know that he’s Tyler’s friend who needed a place to live until he could find his own, and that’s it. He’ll remain a mystery to everyone until he chooses to share more about himself.
“People are too damn nosy in this town,” I grumble.
“True,” Heidi states. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t stay single for long. If you’re hoping to get a piece of that, you better act quick.”
She and Dana chuckle softly as I give them both the evil eye. Archer’s way more than eye candy, and what’s even worse is he’s off-limits. He’s basically a carrot being dangled right in front of me—close enough to want him but just out of reach. He’s been here less than two weeks, and we only see each other between our work schedules, but it’s a fun time when we're together. There’s way more to him than what meets the eye. I hope to dig deeper and uncover who he truly is.