Chapter Thirty-Five
ARCHIE
I’m obsessed. It’s the only logical reason this smile hasn’t left my face all day.
Or days, really. Taking things slow didn’t last as long as I thought it would, or attempted to.
After a week of little dates, lingering touches, and making out like teenagers, there was no stopping us once we got started.
Not until we christened every room in her house.
It’s why I knew ordering delivery for lunch would hit the spot. Neither one of us were interested in leaving our little bubble of happiness. The real world could wait another day or two. Right now, I only wanted to focus on Tabitha—on us.
I clean up the takeout containers and wipe down the marble countertops. Memories of having her on this counter the night before come to mind and only make me eager to get back to her.
It doesn’t take long to make her tea. I could do it with my eyes closed. She takes it the same way she did when she was younger, just like my mom would make theirs. Dad always told me to pay attention, because it was the little things. And when it came to Tabitha, I always paid attention.
Except how I somehow missed that she had feelings for me too. We were both good at hiding the attraction from each other when we were younger. Maybe because we were both too focused on hiding it, we didn’t realize the other felt the same way.
I don’t want to linger on those thoughts anymore. Not when she’s mine. I don’t want either of us to move forward with any regrets. We have too much time to make up for now.
“Thank you.” She smiles as I pass her the tea in a pink mug.
Tabitha snuggles under a chunk knit blanket on the oversized round chaise lounge. She sets a graphic novel to the side as she cups the mug with both hands.
I scoot in next to her with my cup of coffee. My body relaxes once I’m settled in place and she leans to be closer to me. I wrap my arm around her and close my eyes. I’m not tired, but more at ease than I’ve been in a long time.
The television above the fireplace plays soft instrumental music. It doesn’t take long before I hear the pages flip; she’s reading again. I haven’t seen her spend much time in here until the last week. Her living room is weirdly calming.
A light brown bookcase takes up one wall, reaching up to the tall ceiling. There’s even one of those rolling ladder so she can reach to the tallest shelf. The bookcase is mostly full of books, but there are a few knickknacks and pictures scattered among them.
“Do you ever read?”
I open my eyes to see her eyes still on her book. The question has caught me by surprise. I used to love reading when I was a kid, mostly those fantasy novels. The ones with a ton of world building. I can’t remember the last time I read a book, though.
“Not in a while.” I answer honestly.
She looks up at me. “I’ve got some fantasy books over there, just saying.”
“Oh, yeah?” She nods. “Are they just fantasy or are love stories involved?”
Tabitha laughs. “A little bit of both. I’m a mood reader.” She shrugs.
A soft knock comes from the door. I glance over then back to Tabitha. She shakes her head, clearly not expecting anyone. It’s late into the afternoon.
Another soft knock sounds.
“Coming.” She yells and starts to get up.
“No, you’re not.” I argue quietly. “Stay here for a second.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket and switch to the security camera app. A woman in big sunglasses waits patiently on her porch.
“Do you know her?”
Tabitha gasps. “That’s my ex-mother-in-law.”
I grab my laptop from the nearby table and open up the other security cameras. I don’t see anyone else lingering nearby, but we can’t be too careful.
Tabitha is up and crossing the room.
“Wait!” I jump up to be next to her, just in case.
She unlocks and opens the door.
The woman on the porch pulls off her sunglasses and looks us both offer. She either knew Tabitha wouldn’t be alone or is good at hiding the surprise on her face.
“Tabitha, may I come in? We need to talk.”
“You’re alone.” Tabitha hesitates before taking a small step back.
I follow her lead. Unsure of how to process what is happening. Why would her ex’s mom be here? I send a quick text to my team to let them know who is here and ask if there’s been any new development.
“Julie Rollings.” The woman holds her hand out to me.
I take it. “Archie Stryker.”
She nods. “I thought you might be. You were at the wedding, in a uniform.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Good. You can stay for this chat.” She reaches into her purse.
I prepare myself to step in front of Tabitha until I see her pull out an envelope.
She raises a brow at my stance. “I’m not going to hurt her.
” Julie passes Tabitha the envelope. “It’s an invitation to the gala.
It includes a plus one and I have a feeling this one will be attending with you.
” She glances down at her watch. “I can’t stay but for a moment.
My husband and son have taken some things too far.
There are some things going down that I have a feeling you’ll find out about soon.
” She looks at me, then back to Tabitha.
“I know this is cryptic, but it’s for my protection—and yours.
” She looks at her watch again. “I was never here.”
Julie moves to leave and lingers at the door.
Her eyes flicker between me and Tabitha.
“I won’t pretend to know what all you were or weren’t put through while you were with my son.
I can only apologize for not recognizing the signs until it was too late.
He’s unfortunately turned into his father.
And for that, I’m deeply sorry. Karma is coming.
” She taps her finger on her side then lets herself out.
I move to lock the door behind her, then turn to face Tabitha who is looking down at the envelope.
“That was… weird.” She bites her lip and opens the envelope. She holds it up to me. “It’s exactly what she said it was, an invitation addressed to me and a plus one.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to see a message from my team’s group chat.
Tyler: There’s been some footage from Ryan’s that has gone missing.
Me: What? From when?
Tyler: That’s not all.
Tyler: We have it from a reliable source that something is about to go down. His family puts on a charity gala every year, and it turns out that it’s just a cover for what the family really gets up to.
Me: You don’t say.
I look up to see Tabitha still staring at the invitation.
Tyler: We’re working on a way to get in there. It’s time.
Me: Tabitha and I were just invited.
Tyler: What? When?
Me: I think we need to chat in person.
Matt: I’m getting us flights out in the morning. We’ll be there by lunchtime tomorrow.
Me: See y’all tomorrow.
“The team is coming tomorrow so we can game plan. When is this event?” I walk over and look at the invitation in her hands. “A few days away.”