“We waited over two months the first time. I think you can wait a few more days.”
My face drops. “I’m about to go get BUB and let him do the job for you.”
Archer chuckles, making his way down the hallway. “As long as I can watch.”
I’ve been back at the shop for five days, and I finally feel like life is returning to normal. Archer’s still taunting me with his six-pack abs and kissable lips, but thinks I’m too fragile to be thrown around a bed. By the end of the weekend, my goal is to prove him wrong.
Today, the girls and I are going shopping in Mobile for bridesmaid dresses. Though Katie’s wedding is in a few months, my whole needing to recover has set us back by a few weeks.
“Are you seriously walkin’ around with that thing?” Katie asks, eyeing my self-defense keychain.
“Damn right. Ready to tase, pepper spray, or poke a bitch if they come within five feet.”
Gemma snorts as we walk toward the store. “What’s on it?”
“Well…” I hold it up for her to see. “Tyler got it for me, and at first, I was reluctant, but then I figured why not. Now it’s a habit to carry it. The key knife is pretty badass, and the alarm is really loud. Plus, it gives Archer peace of mind.”
“Don’t show that to Noah. He’ll make me get one just for the sake of it,” Katie says as I open the door.
Before I can respond, we’re greeted by a saleswoman eager to make her commission. Since this is a no kids day, we drink champagne as we shop for dresses and shoes. It’s given me the opportunity to reconnect with my best friends away from Lawton Ridge.
“That’s my favorite one on you,” Katie says as I stand in a baby blue dress. “Really matches your eyes.”
“I agree.” Gemma smiles wide as I adjust the bust.
“Too bad my tits don’t fill it in,” I mumble.
“I doubt Archer’s complainin’.” Katie smirks. “The way that man looks at you puts Hallmark to shame.”
“I remember that early honeymoon phase. It’s seriously the best.” Gemma sighs, then takes a long sip of her drink.
“As if you two aren’t still in it,” I tease, looking in the mirror and imagining Archer ripping it off me after the reception.
After three hours of drinking and trying on gowns, Gemma and I make a decision. Since we’re both the matron and maid of honors, Katie let us choose between three colors and the style we wanted. I fell in love with a backless midi dress that accentuates my ass. If Archer doesn’t rip it off me with his teeth, I’ll scream out in protest.
“Alright, I need to eat. Where do you wanna go?” Katie asks as she pulls out of the parking lot.
“Someplace that’ll soak up this champagne,” Gemma states.
“Carbs it is!” Katie chuckles, though she stopped drinking hours ago.
We go to a small Italian restaurant and order pasta with unlimited breadsticks.
“So do the police have any leads?” Gemma asks once the waitress brings us our drinks and food. “Tyler mentioned he hasn’t heard anything.”
I shake my head. “There’s not enough info. Archer’s description is vague, and I can’t remember shit,” I explain, irritated that my memory hasn’t come back yet.
“Well, if it’s not Natasha, could it be someone obsessed with Archer?” Katie asks, biting into a breadstick.
“Lexie mentioned that when I was in the hospital. It’s the only theory that makes any sort of sense.” I shrug. “But I’m not convinced it wasn’t Natasha. After the way she bitch slapped me at your baby shower, I have a feeling she lost her mind after Eric died.”
“Still shocking that none of us knew he was married,” Gemma says, twirling a forkful of pasta. “I told Tyler he should go pay her a visit.”
“You encouraged that?” I ask.
Gemma shrugs. “Tyler’s scary when he’s on a mission. Nearly unstoppable.”
“Until you find his tickle spots,” I say, laughing and nearly choking on my sweet tea.
“I’m tellin’ him you said that.” Gemma smirks.
“Imagine if all three of our men showed up at her doorstep. That might send a clear message,” Katie adds.
“While they’re in Vegas, might as well ask Liam and Mason to join in on the fun,” I suggest.
“I never met them. But I’ve heard good things,” Katie says.
Tyler became friends with Liam Evans and Mason Holt when he lived in California years ago. He trained them to box, but then some shit went down, and Tyler got involved. They’ve been there for each other through thick and thin. If Tyler asked for a favor, they’d both jump.
“You think Lawton Ridge is full of drama? Tyler told me all kinds of stories from when he lived there,” I say. “But hey, him landing in prison is what brought him back here.”
Gemma snorts. “Silver lining, I guess.”
Chuckling, I nod. “I can’t believe Tyler, Noah, and Archer have all been in prison at some point.”
Katie and Gemma’s expressions go flat.
“What does that say about us?” Katie asks, and we burst out laughing.
A table of four older women stares at us in shock. I swear they’re about to have a stroke by the way their expressions are stuck.
“Don’t worry, just because incest is illegal doesn’t mean it should be,” I tell them in complete seriousness. “It’s like the government has something against true love, amiright?” I ask loudly in a thick Southern drawl.
Their eyes nearly pop out of their heads as they blink at me wearing scowls.
“Oh my God, Ev,” Gemma mutters, trying to suppress her laughter.
“I’m pretty sure that was the standard in Biblical times.” I shrug.
“In royal families too,” Katie adds.
“Right!” I agree.
Seconds later, the four women flag down their server and ask for their checks.
“Guess they can’t take a joke?” I shrug when they leave.
“They should be happy you didn’t bring up penis sizes again,” Katie says.
“I mean, what else are we supposed to talk about on girls’ day out?” I flash a cheeky grin. “Though, now that Gemma married my brother, it’d just be weird to have that convo.”
“And Katie’s marrying my brother, so yeah, let’s not go there,” Gemma adds.
“Well, Archer isn’t related to either of you, so he’s fair game.” I waggle my brows. “Though, I’m sure y’all can guess just how happy he makes me.”
“Unlike Scotty Preston in eleventh grade.” Katie snorts. Scotty was a one-time hookup for one small reason only.
“Look, I know it’s not all about the size of the prize, and teeny weenies need love too. Just not from me.” I shrug.
The server decides to come over and ask if we need anything else at that moment.
We finish our lunch and are laughing as we walk to the car. We stop when we see Katie’s tires have been slashed and the word SLUT is written on the back window.
“Oh my God…” Katie gasps.
“Wow…those ladies really didn’t like us,” Gemma says, and I nudge her.