“Yikes.” I put a hand over my eyes, face heating with thoughts of what she might have heard. “Sorry.”
“No. Don’t be sorry. I’m happy you’re happy. Archer is genuinely a wonderful person.” She smiles, but it’s small and sad.
“Do you want to talk about what happened with Ben?”
She sighs. “Not yet. I don’t want to burden you.”
“It’s not a burden. We’re family. Sometimes you have to let things out. You don’t even know what might be in there, dragging you down.”
“I will. I promise. I just need a little more time to . . . I don’t know, sort it out myself.”
Later, when the guests have gone to their rooms, Archer and I are snuggled together, as we are every night, downloading the events of the day.
This has become our nightly routine—wrapped up together, sharing whispered words and secrets, a dialogue that generally culminates in a more vigorous activity.
“Today was a good day,” he says.
“It was.” I don’t mention my continuing worries about Jacob or Mindy and Taylor or Piper’s struggles. We already talked about all of that, and he’s right. It was a good day despite everything.
I hadalmostmy whole family together for the first time in more than a year. Maybe in another year or sooner, it can be complete.
He presses his lips to my forehead. “It’s only going to get better.”
When Archer says it, I almost believe it.
Coming up next is Piper and Oliver’s story:The Fox and the Rebound. Scheduled for release fall 2022. Preorder available now!
Want a little more Oliver prior to the events of this story? He’s a side character in Imperfectly Delicious, the sixth book in the Imperfect Series which can be read as a stand alone!
About the Author
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Mary Frame is a full time mother and wife with a full time job. She has no idea how she manages to write novels, but it probably helps that she's a dedicated introvert. She doesn't enjoy writing about herself in third person, but she does enjoy reading, writing, dancing, and damaging the ear drums of her co-workers when she randomly decides to sing to them.
She lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband, two children, and a border collie named Stella.
She LOVES hearing from readers and will not only respond but likely begin stalking them while tossing out hearts and flowers and rainbows! If that doesn't creep you out, e-mail her at: [email protected]
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Also by MaryFrame
Imperfect Series:
Book One: Imperfect Chemistry
Book Two: Imperfectly Criminal
Book Three: Practically Imperfect
Book Four: Picture Imperfect
Book Five: Imperfect Strangers