Page 172 of The Archer Brothers

Inside, the house is bustling with noise. It’s not the head-splitting stressfulness that comes with moving, but a sweet sound that I can only liken to happiness and belonging. Ryley’s voice filters through the air, giving direction to all of us. Ryley pauses when she sees me in the doorway. Her mouth quickly morphs into a smile that spreads from ear to ear. Ever so slowly, she moves toward me, never taking her eyes away from mine. I bend, setting the boxes down on the floor so my hands and arms are free to touch her.

“Archer,” she says as her fingers brush my hair away from my ear. There’s something about the way she says my last name that drives me insane. My hands lock behind her back, pulling her close until her body presses against mine. I thought I was happy our friends came to help, but now I want them all to leave so I can be alone with her, in our new home. “Thank you.” Her lips briefly press against mine. The kiss doesn’t last nearly as long as I’d like, but we have an audience, and I’m not about to embarrass her. I’m saving that for the day she finally becomes my wife.

“For what?”

“For this house. For moving us when you weren’t sure it was the right thing to do. I don’t know why, but being here feels right. Coronado is our home.”

“Yet, we met in Washington. One could easily say our home is there.”

Ryley nods and pulls her lower lip in between her teeth. “One could, but our lives started here.”

“I beg to differ. Our lives started the day I threw the football at you.”

“At me?” she cocks her eyebrow.

“Errant throw, but clearly someone was helping us along, making sure we met.” And thank God we did because she would’ve met Nate the next day, and I … well, I don’t want to think about what it’d be like not to have Ryley in my life. I’ve already lived it once. “We can argue all day about where we should or shouldn’t live. If being here makes you happy, I’m happy.”

“But I want you to be happy here.”

I lean down and kiss her, holding my lips there a bit longer than she did. When I pull away, I lightly cup her cheek. “As long as I have you and EJ, I’m happy. We could live in an igloo in Alaska or a tiki hut in the middle of the desert for all I care. As long as we’re together, my life is complete.”

Ryley rises onto her toes and kisses me again. “I love you. Now put those boxes in the kitchen.” She tries to pull away, but not before my hand swats her on her ass. She lets out a little yelp as she hurries away from me. I do as I’m asked and deposit the boxes into the kitchen before heading back out to the truck.

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