Page 26 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

“Maybe we should give up on mining for a while and explore a bit more.” I smile when I realize that he’s inched closer to me as we’ve played.

“Good idea. But I want to put this stuff in a chest before I fall again.”

I maneuver my character back to the surface. “I forgot how much fun this could be.”

He flashes me a quick smile, then focuses back on the game. “Yeah.”

* * *

Monday afternoon,a knock startles me. I set my laptop and drawing tablet aside and hurry to the door. Layla was by here earlier, and she didn’t mention coming back. It’s too early for Archer to be home. Unless he’s hurt.

I yank open the door.

A gray-haired woman smiles and holds out a book and a box of chocolates. “Hi, Lettie. I help out at the venue some of the time, and Lilith mentioned that you just moved in. So I brought you something.” She taps the book. “This is one of mine. See the guy on the front? He’s not really a cowboy. He’s a fireman who lives here in town.”

I glance down at the cover, where a man is shirtless and has a cowboy hat obscuring his face.

She laughs. “I ask almost all the guys I meet around here if they’ll pose shirtless for my covers. It’s funny to see how they react. Only one has ever said yes.”

Before I can stop the words from tumbling out, I say, “Don’t ask Archer.”

Her focus sharpens, and she’s looking at me with a renewed interest. “I already made that mistake, but it’s interesting that you, his brand-new neighbor knows that he wouldn’t like the question.”

I have royally put my foot in my mouth, which makes it conveniently easy to stay quiet.

“I’ll wager a guess that you didn’t just meet Archer a few days ago. Also, I think you know why he doesn’t want to be seen with his shirt off.”

I’m hoping that the truth will set me free from this conversation. “Archer and I went to high school together. Dated. We’ve known each other a while.”

“You’re his ex?” A bright smile has twinkles dancing in her eyes. “He’s such a nice young man. And I’m sure he’s pleased to have you as a neighbor.” There isn’t a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

“He’s great. And we’re friendly.”

She turns to go but stops before leaving the porch. “The chocolates are just because they taste good, but you can share.” After wiggling her fingers in a cheery wave, she strolls back toward the office.

She never told me her name. But she wrote the book I’m holding.

So I wave and say, “It was nice to meet you, Ms. Cavanaugh.”

After whipping around, she shakes her head. “Don’t call me that. Tandy works just fine.”

Living out here isn’t boring. That’s for sure.

CHAPTER10

ARCHER

While my body is tossing hay, my mind is thinking about Sunday night. Lettie and I played on that Minecraft server for nearly two hours. Her laughter is still echoing in my head days later. Since then, I’ve been reliving all the best memories from when we were together. But then the struggle of the last few years throws cold water on everything. That’s the battle playing out in my head pretty much all the time.

I need to wrangle these runaway emotions. The excitement of seeing her again and spending time with her is at war with the lingering hurt. Is it possible to carve out a friendship but limit the risk of being hurt a second time?

Grayson walks up beside me and gives me a nudge. “Guess who I saw this morning.”

“Daisy.” My attempt to steer the conversation in a different direction probably won’t work, but what’s the harm in trying?

He flashes a lopsided grin. “She’s the best thing about mornings. But that’s not who I meant. Daisy and I went to Sweets and grabbed donuts. You’ll never believe who was there.”

“Lettie. Bumped into her the other day, and then she moved into the other side of my duplex.”

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