Forcing You Away (Archer & Everleigh 1)

When Mimi returns from the kitchen, Everleigh’s hand disappears. She’s definitely trying to provoke me, and the fact that she's doing it with family around makes me think she likes having power over me.

After dessert, Mimi pulls out old photo albums of Tyler and Everleigh, mostly from when Everleigh was in high school, and tells me stories about each one.

“She’s always skipped to her own beat,” Gemma says as she watches next to me. “Look at this outfit! And here’s Tyler before boot camp! Wasn’t he a stud?” She giggles.

“Wow,” I say, noticing the jeans he was wearing. “You look like you should be in a boy band.”

“Thank God I grew out of that stage,” he says with a humorless laugh.

“That’s the boy I fell in love with all those years ago,” Gemma gushes.

We look at more pictures until Scarlett starts to get fussy, and I know our night’s coming to an end.

Everleigh starts yawning, and as predicted, we’re soon at the front door, saying our goodbyes.

“Come see us anytime, Archer. Our home is your home,” Mimi says, and Everleigh gives me a knowing I told you so look.

I’ve never felt so accepted, like I’m a part of a real family. I know Tyler and Everleigh didn’t have the best childhood either, but their grandparents' love for them is obvious.

She sends us home with a week's worth of leftovers, and I can’t stop smiling at how welcoming and generous they were.

Once we’re in the car, Everleigh faces me. “Did you have a good time?”

“Actually, I did. Thank you.”

“For what?” she asks, confused.

“For inviting me and not treating me like an outsider.”

“I’d never, Archer. You’re one of us now—basically a Blackwood.”

I’m sure she doesn't realize it, but her words are music to my ears.

However, it’s just another reminder that Tyler sees me like a brother, and breaking that bond would ruin us both.

Chapter Twelve

EVERLEIGH

Only two more days until this year is over. I tend to get wild without apology every New Year’s Eve. But right now, all I can think about is spending that night with Archer. I don’t know if he’d agree to hang out with me. I might need a little liquid courage to work up the nerve to ask.

He knows that I can be a bit much at times, and considering we’ve almost crossed the line on several occasions, he might say no.

I’ve been slowly putting away Christmas decorations all week, so it won’t be as taxing after the first. I went overboard, but I have no regrets. Every customer who walked through the door looked around and smiled.

It felt like I worked in a cute little shop inside of a Hallmark movie. I even ran into the handsome stranger who moved to my small town to save the day. Archer would roll his eyes if I told him that. And our happily ever after better not just end with a kiss. No, I want to lick that man from top to bottom.

Just as I’m helping Dana carry more shirts from the back, my phone dings with a text.

Gemma: Don’t forget. Lunch at 11 on the dot!

Katie: I’ll be there. My mom is watching the babies for me!

Everleigh: Yay! I set an alarm on my phone to alert me when I need to stop working and leave. Won’t be late. Promise.

I laugh because they know me so well. On more than one occasion, I’ve nearly missed our lunch dates because I’ve gotten so caught up at work. But today, that ain’t happening!

After I’ve boxed one of the several tree along with the ornaments, I make several trips to the storage area in the back. Before I can get too caught up in anything else, my lunch reminder alarm goes off.

I pass Lexie, who’s carrying garland, while Dana handles the register.

“Oh hey, I’m heading out for lunch. I’ll be back in an hour. If it gets really busy, can one of you text me, and I’ll come back and help?”

Lexie laughs and waves me off. “We’ll be fine! It’s just one hour. Go have fun.”

“Okay, okay,” I say, grabbing my crossbody and make my way to the front of the store.

“Tell Archer I said hi!” she yells across the room. Heads turn and look at me with envy.

“I’m not meeting him.” I shake my head and continue forward, kinda wishing I were. No telling how fast it would spread around town that we were dating if we started going out in public together. It’s already gotten out that he lives with me. Us hooking up would be a rumor I for once wished were true. Hell, I’d gladly claim that one.

As I walk outside, daydreaming about Archer, I notice a black Dodge Charger parked by my car. My face contorts as two men come into view. They’re dressed in suits and ties and look completely out of place. Their presence puts me on high alert, and I wonder if I scream loud enough if my employees would hear.