Page 5 of Let Me Love You

Once we get to Lawton Ridge, Tyler slows in front of a small shop with an ungodly amount of harvest decorations out front. Several bales of hay are stacked with pumpkins in all different sizes. A giant sign out front encourages people to stop and take photos with the hashtag EVER AFTER.

“That’s the place Everleigh owns,” he proudly says.

“Looks nice. My sister would love it.”

“Yeah, I bet she would. Everleigh’s killing it these days and even has plans to expand. Don’t be surprised if she tries to hire you.”

This makes me chuckle as we turn down another street.

“Does she always decorate like that?”

“Oh yeah. Just wait until Christmas throws up all over her shop. She’s always loved the holidays.” Soon, he’s pulling into a driveway and turns off the engine.

My eyes widen. “This is Everleigh’s place?” We’re parked in front of a very nice side-by-side condo on a street with perfectly manicured lawns that screams small-town Alabama.

He nods. “Yes, sir. This is it.”

I follow him to the door and notice her porch is just as decorated as her shop. Tyler knocks and turns to me while we wait for her to answer. “Yesterday was her birthday.”

“Yeah? Maybe she’s not home yet?”

“She’s here.” Tyler checks the time and grows impatient. Punctuality should be his middle name. Another few moments pass, and he eventually puts his spare key in the door, then unlocks it. When he steps in and notices how trashed the place is, annoyance rolls off him.

“What the hell?” Tyler asks, kicking a beer can before seeing the empty tequila bottle on the counter. “What the actual fuck?” His voice raises an octave when he finally sees the bare ass on the couch. “Everleigh!” Tyler yells. The naked guy doesn’t move, and I halfway wonder if he’s still breathing. Eventually, he rolls over with a grunt, reaching for the blanket that’s on the back.

“Everleigh!” Tyler repeats, beating on the wall, and I assume her room is on the other side.

A few moments later, the door swings open, and she saunters out with messy brown hair in a top knot. She still has on her makeup from last night, and her mascara has slightly run. It takes everything I have not to smirk at her. If being a hot mess was a person, she’d be it.

“Can I help you?” she finally says, placing a hand on her hip. “Because you’re screamin’ my name like you’re payin’ my rent. And I don’t even need to mention that judgy-ass look on your face.”

His nostrils flare, and she releases an amused laugh. The sound is warm and contagious, something I’d like to hear again.

“So, you must be the famous Archer I’ve been hearing my brother talk ’bout so much.” She holds out her hand, and I take it in mine, but her fingers linger a few seconds longer.

“Yeah,” I say, meeting her crystal blue eyes.

There’s a flicker behind them, and I notice her brow slightly ticks up. Electricity radiates from her in ways I can’t explain. At that very moment, I see what Tyler was talking about when he said she’s flirty. Doesn’t help one bit that she’s beautiful as hell too.

“Nice to meet you, roomie.” A grin sweeps across her stunning face.

“Everleigh!” Tyler snaps. “You knew we were coming today. What the hell?”

He points at the man on the couch.

“Why’re you yelling? No one else has a problem with anything that’s going on here other than you.” She looks at me, almost urging me with her gaze to agree, but I’m staying neutral in this argument.

The last thing I want to do is piss off my best friend or my new roommate. I don’t have a dog in this sibling fight. As soon as the thought hits my brain, a cute fluffy white dog comes prancing out of Everleigh’s room. The little furball runs over to me, the tags on her collar dangling.

“Oh, meet Sassy. She’s every bit of her namesake,” Everleigh says as she sashays to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

“What breed is she?” I ask to keep the conversation flowing that doesn’t involve more shouting.

“An American Eskimo.”

I bend down and pet Sassy’s head. “Hey there. Are you a good girl?”

“I can be…when I want. But usually, I’m really, really bad,” Everleigh quips, and Tyler whips his head toward her.