Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Everleigh had already loaded a duffel bag into her car and hummed a little as she made her way back to her room to grab her purse and phone.
Happiness suffused her, putting a bounce in her step and a smile on her face.
Over the past two days, Knox and Everleigh had talked, eaten, and made love.
She had worn his shirts and boxers when she needed to be dressed—which wasn't often.
It was just like old times, only better.
Now there were no distractions, no need to meet in secret and rush home.
No one was keeping them apart. They had already missed out on so much, and she didn't want to waste another second.
Knox had dropped Everleigh off at her parents’ house that morning on his way to work, and she planned to go right back to his place after her meeting with Sierra.
She wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.
She gathered her things and then headed for the garage, only to be brought up short by her mother.
“Everleigh, you’re home,” her mother said.
Everleigh shot her a guilty smile. “Only for a minute. I have a meeting in town.”
“Oh?” Her mother tipped her head to one side, disappointment evident on her pretty face. “I didn’t realize.”
Everleigh nodded. “I really should get going, but I’ll be back soon.”
“Tonight?” her mother asked.
Everleigh bristled at the question but forced her irritation down. “I don’t think so, no.”
Her mother’s inquisitive blue eyes studied her. “Will you be staying with your boyfriend?”
The word sent a flurry of butterflies battering against Everleigh's insides. It was almost comical to think of Knox as her boyfriend. He was so much more than that, and yet they hadn’t discussed expectations or their plans for the future; they hadn’t truly talked about much of anything over the weekend.
It was as if they’d reached a tacit truce to avoid anything heavy after Everleigh's revelations Saturday morning. It was one reason she had decided to keep her appointment with Sierra. They had scheduled it nearly a week ago after Everleigh had decided to move out, and though she had briefly considered it, she hadn’t called Sierra to cancel.
She wasn’t sure what would happen between Knox and her, but she wanted to make sure she had options.
“I believe so,” Everleigh said in response to her mother’s question. “If I decide otherwise, I’ll let you know.”
“Okay.” Her mother looked uncomfortable for a moment before speaking. “I’d like to meet him.”
Everleigh knew her mother had good intentions, but she wanted to put that off for a bit. Selfishly, she wanted to keep Knox to herself. Their relationship was still new and fragile in so many ways, and she didn’t want anything—or anyone—to ruin what they had going.
“Maybe next week,” she hedged.
“Sounds good.” Her mother smiled. “Be safe.”
“I will.”
With that, Everleigh left the house and headed outside to her car. A smile wreathed her face at the sight of it. When Knox had dropped her off that morning, he had pulled up next to her little BMW parked in the driveway.
“That little foreign thing yours?” he had asked, a teasing smile on his face. “Gotta get you into something American. Those things are trouble.”
He had laughed and kissed her when she pouted, then promised to meet her at his place after work.
Everleigh climbed into the car and then drove toward Blackwater Key.
Sierra and Everleigh had decided to meet at the same small coffee shop, The Daily Grind, and she parked her car along the street once more in the angled spots.
She had touched base with Mason earlier to let him know they were still on for today’s appointment, so she knew he’d be close by even if she couldn’t see him.
Inside the shop, Everleigh lifted a hand and waved to Sierra, who sat in the back of the small cafe.
Sierra stood and greeted her with a hug.
It was still strange how overly familiar Southerners were.
Everleigh had grown up there, so it was welcome in a way, but at the same time, she had been gone so long it felt almost odd.
People in the city kept to themselves, avoided eye contact at all costs, and moved along like no one else existed.
But down there, it was a different world.
Everyone was syrupy sweet, at least on the outside.
Sierra, Everleigh knew, was just as nice as she seemed.
Everleigh returned the hug with genuine affection before sliding into the booth across from Sierra. It was nice to have someone familiar, someone she could almost call a friend.
“How have you been?” Sierra asked. “Settling in okay?”
“It’s a little hard to get used to after being away so long,” Everleigh admitted.
“I can understand that,” Sierra sympathized. “I wish every once in a while that I had the guts to leave, but this is home.” She shrugged good-naturedly and smiled. “I was born here and will probably die here.”
“There are worse places to be,” Everleigh said as the waiter came over to the table to take their order. She smiled up at him. “Latte for me, please.”
Sierra ordered a cheese Danish to go with her cappuccino, then turned her attention back to Everleigh. “So, I found what I think may be some good options for you,” she said, practically bubbling with excitement.
Sierra pulled several papers from her purse and set them on the table, turning them so Everleigh could read the details.
Everleigh flipped through them one by one, looking at the small collection of available apartments located on the outskirts of Miami as well as two homes that seemed to have potential out near a nature reserve.
Everleigh shot a tiny smile at the waiter as he delivered their order, then turned her attention back to Sierra. “These look great,” she said.
Sierra’s face fell at Everleigh's flat tone. “You hate them.”
“No!” Everleigh shook her head. “It’s not that. It’s just... I’ve been seeing this guy and...”
Sierra’s expression changed immediately, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Scandalous. Wanting to shack up with a man before marriage.”
She clucked her tongue, and Everleigh's cheeks burned. Sierra must have read the discomfort there because she immediately pulled back. “I’m sorry, that was inappropriate. It’s none of my business. Sometimes I say things before thinking and—”
“You’re fine,” Everleigh assured her, laying one hand over Sierra's. “It’s just complicated is all. I’ve known him for years and...”
Everleigh found herself wanting to tell Sierra all about Knox. Glossing over some of the dirtier details, she explained how they had been separated when they were younger, by both age and their families.
Sierra’s eyes were all dreamy and soft as she stared across the table at Everleigh. “You love him.”
It was a statement rather than a question, and Everleigh nodded. “With all my heart.”
“Then I say go for it,” Sierra said. “I’ll keep an eye on some listings as a backup, but I hope it works out for you.”
“Me too.” They sipped their coffees and chatted easily for nearly the next hour, about anything and everything that came to mind.
“Thank you for this,” Everleigh said. “I really appreciate you listening to me.”
“Any time.” Sierra smiled. “It’s hard to find good friends.”
“So much,” Everleigh agreed. “Things have just been a little crazy, and…”
Everleigh found herself wanting to confide in Sierra. Besides, Sierra had been there last time, too, when the photo had been left in Everleigh's bag. Maybe she’d seen something that could help.
Everleigh leaned her elbows on the table and stared at Sierra. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
Everleigh relayed to Sierra what had happened the last time they were there, and Sierra’s eyes rounded with shock. “That’s terrifying.”
Everleigh nodded. “I know. I was wondering… Do you happen to remember seeing anyone hovering, someone who could have slipped the photo in?”
Sierra bit her lip, seemingly deep in thought. “Not that I can remember, but I’ll think on it. God, I can’t even imagine what you’ve been dealing with. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I will be,” Everleigh promised. “Knox and his guys are watching over me and trying to figure out who’s behind it. I’m sure they’ll figure it out; it’s only a matter of time.”
“I’m glad you have him,” Sierra said sincerely. “If you need anything else, even just someone to talk to, you can call me anytime.”
“I’ll do that, thank you.” Everleigh smiled.
A glance at the clock told her it was a little after four.
Knox would be done working soon, and she wanted to be home when he got there.
It was strange and exhilarating how his house already felt like home, even after only a few days.
Everleigh found herself eager to see him again, and she hugged Sierra goodbye before heading that way.
She wanted forever with him, and she hoped he wanted the same.