Page 6 of Archer

Sloane offered a sad smile. “You’ll find the perfect place soon. Until then, you have us.” She wound her arms around Knox’s torso.

I looked at my open laptop screen where there had been eighteen different property listings that morning. All were gone before I could schedule any viewings. “I’m going to be your third wheel forever at this rate.”

“Could be worse,” Knox said. “Colton’s place is the size of a shoebox.”

“And it smells like something died,” Sloane added. “People really shouldn’t take shells out of the ocean and assume the creatures are gone. There’s a reason they were in the water.”

I grimaced but didn’t comment. I wanted to say, “No offense, but being around the two of you twenty-four-seven makes a stinky shoe box sound all right. You’re too damn happy, and it’s annoying.” But that sounded offensive in my head, so I kept it to myself.

Colton found his apartment while I was home, visiting family out west after my discharge. Lucky bastard.

That month spent in Colorado was good though. Necessary. After leaving the Marines, I’d needed time to decompress and figure out what came next. Then I’d stumbled into a security situation with an old buddy, and it’d gotten me excited about the possibilities for other missions out here with my team.

Private security jobs. Protection details. Using my training to help people.

It was good to be here. I just hadn’t counted on all the damn fanny packs and arm floaties.

Helping run Island Adventures, Knox’s family shop, paid the bills so Carolina Security could exist, and I was onboard for that. Whatever it took.

“We’re headed out,” Knox said, pulling me from my thoughts. “Morrison family is probably wondering if we forgot them.”

Sloane pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, then they strode onto the deck together.

I watched through the window as the group moved onto the dock. Knox climbed onto the vessel and offered his hand to each family member as they boarded. Sloane distributed life jackets and ran through safety protocols.

They were good together. Both in love with the island, the outdoors, and each other.

I rolled my eyes.

I was happy for them. Really.

But living in their guest room while they lived their most bliss-filled life was…well… annoying.

The sound of the boat’s motor faded as the tour headed across the sound.

I settled back onto the stool behind the counter and pulled up another apartment listing. One-bedroom efficiency. No pets. Available April first.

Three months from now.

I closed the laptop and imagined drop-kicking it into the sea. But that wouldn’t help anyone, and Sloane would have my ass for environmental pollution.

The doorbell chimed again, and I neutralized my expression, prepared for another tourist family.

Instead, a woman stood in the doorway wearing oversized dark sunglasses and a beanie hat covered by the hood of her oversized hoodie. She was petite in the extreme, reaching for five-one or five-two, with thin limbs and narrow shoulders. Her jeans were dark, wide-legged and covered to mid-thigh by the gargantuan sweatshirt.

If I wasn’t twice her size, I’d worry she’d come to rob me.

“We’re booked for the day,” I said. “But I can schedule something for tomorrow if you’re interested.”

She took a small step forward. “I’m not here for a tour.”

Her voice was soft, with a slight Southern lilt. Tennessee, maybe, or Kentucky.

“Then how can I help you?”

She glanced around the shop, appearing uncertain as she took in the kayak displays, trail maps on the walls, and racks of outdoor gear.

“I need to talk to someone about security services,” she said.