“I’m happy to hear that.” He looks down at his calendar. “We should meet in sixty days unless a reason pops up that we need to meet sooner. Go to the police after you leave here and show them the text messages. Then send me an update.”

“I will. Thank you,” I tell him, standing. I shake his hand, then leave.

When I’m in the car, I scroll through all the messages I’ve gotten over the past month. I slam my fist against the steering wheel, the realization setting in that Krystal isn’t going to leave me alone—but I’m not going to let her get away with it any longer.

Chapter Five

EVERLEIGH

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. I don’t like lounging around for too long and am often bored.

Though I enjoyed having Archer take care of me and being around, I felt bad I was keeping him from work. Between him and Tyler constantly worrying about me, I was more than ready to get back to work.

I can’t lift anything over fifteen pounds for another month per doctor’s orders. I’ve been doing physical therapy exercises at home to prepare me for my first shift back at work today.

“Ev, you look so good,” Lexie says when she walks through the front door. “You’re here early.”

“I couldn’t get out of my house fast enough,” I tell her as she gives me a gentle hug. “I can only watch Netflix for so long before I go stir-crazy.”

“I figured you would’ve loved being locked in with Mr. Hunky Roommate,” she taunts, grabbing the clipboard and looking at today’s task list.

“Oh I did, but it’s more of a tease than anything since he’d walk around shirtless and wouldn’t let me touch him below the waist. He took his job of making sure I rested a bit too seriously, if you know what I mean.”

“Aw…I bet he was happy to take care of you, though. Archer seems like good company.”

“Yeah, he was. I just hate being fussed over, ya know?”

“That’s because you’re independent to a fault.” She shrugs, then heads to the back. “I’ll get these racks unloaded.”

“Don’t baby me.” I scowl. “I can hang stuff!”

Lexie chuckles, rolling the rack of clothes to the front of the store. “Yes, boss, I know.”

Heidi comes in a few hours later, and I take my lunch break, though I’m not super hungry. My appetite hasn’t quite returned since the accident.

Archer: How’s your first day back?

I read Archer’s text as soon as I sit at my small desk.

Everleigh: Lexie’s treating me like a baby, so don’t worry about me doing too much.

Archer: Good, then she’s earning her raise.